Follow Jesus. Lead the church. Change the world.
Last month, I wrote 3 Steps I’m Taking to Manage Stress Better (one additional step was the vacation that ended yesterday). In the days ahead, I will be writing more about my experiences and learnings over the last five weeks, starting with this one. This morning, while praying, I remembered listening to Chuck Swindoll’s talk … Read more
Over the years, some statements I’ve heard or read have stuck with me. One statement I read sometime around twenty years ago, I believe came from a book by James E. Means, Leadership in Christian Ministry (1989). The statement, as I recall, was … Great pastors don’t build great churches. Great pastors build great people, … Read more
Throughout most of my life, I’ve known I need to learn how to manage stress. While I am aware that I need to take care of myself and my relationships (with God, family, others), I also know there’s lots of room for improvement. I’ve always said, I do well with vacation time, okay with days … Read more
Two years ago, I wrote about Rev. W. Lee Spottswood, a Methodist preacher from the 1800s. Spottswood served here in Clearfield 1858-1860. He wrote a book about his life in ministry called, Brief Annals, in 1888 (thankfully, it’s not too brief). My previous post focused on his experience in Clearfield, but after reading the rest … Read more
I’m on a Methodist history kick these days, writing posts on Strawbridge Shrine, Lovely Lane UMC, as well as posts on the 1784 Discipline (yesterday’s post: Visiting From House to House). I’ve also been re-reading Rev. Dr. W. Lee Spottswood’s book, published in 1888. Spottswood was one of my predecessors here in Clearfield (1858-1860) (see … Read more
One of the historic questions candidates for ordination in The United Methodist Church are asked prior to ordination is, “Will you visit from house to house?” This question was also one of the questions from the 1784 Discipline, the first discipline of the Methodist church in America (see my post with the 1784 version of … Read more
Today, I found myself expressing to God a desire to be “moved by the Spirit” to preach and lead (etc.). I recalled this language from the 1784 Discipline that I reviewed over the weekend (and wrote about yesterday). In the 1784 Discipline, Section XII is called, “Of the Trial of those who think they are … Read more
Recently, I re-read the first Discipline of the Methodist church in America States (1784). I read it a little more than a year ago, in preparation for ordination, and wrote several posts, including: The Historic Questions, Rules for Early Methodist Preachers, Smaller Advices for Early Methodist Preachers, Early Methodist View on Use of Time. One … Read more
On Friday, May 25, 2012, Ethan experienced his first graduation. He completed “studies” at the Clearfield Pre-School Center. It was a two-year program. Ethan now moves on to Kindergarten!
Our local United Methodist churches sponsored a two-day confirmation bus trip, hitting some prominent regional sites and ministries within our tradition. Yesterday, I wrote about our visit to Strawbridge Shrine in Maryland. From Strawbridge Shrine, we visited the historic Lovely Lane United Methodist Church and Lovely Lane Museum in Baltimore. Lovely Lane UMC, listed on … Read more