Thursday, August 2, 2007

Shifting Gears


The first rule for change in a church is COMMUNICATE. Before making the change always ask, "Who needs to know about this?" Simply following that advice can save a pastor from a lot of grief.

Well, I haven't followed that advice and I don't know what will be waiting for me when I return from two weeks away teaching. For a couple of years I have talked about possible uses for our beautiful, but rarely used chapel. We did put in some prie dieu's (prayer kneelers), hung a picture of Jesus and also a crucifix (for focusing in prayer), but still it is hardly used. I've mentioned alternative worship services, a gathering place for Fellowship Sundays that would be near the main sanctuary, or even a great space for small group programs. The Trustees were listening apparently.

Having to remove the pews to have the marble floors cleaned and coated, they decided to put the pews in storage and open up the space! All this has been happening while I've been away this week. Change is not easy for folks, especially when they aren't prepared for it, but we'll see how it goes.

Got to shift gears from teaching to parish work, and am looking forward to it. Always good to have a change of pace, but I'm a pastor at heart, and I look forward to getting back to my folks - even those who are probably afraid we're turning the chapel into a coffee bar!

My high-schooler is flying in from two weeks in Brazil tonight. She's been on a Conference trip that establishes ties between Brazillian youth and our youth. Can't wait to hear what she's learned. Maybe she brought us some Brazillian coffee, for the coffee bar of course!

2 comments:

Lauren said...

I'm so excited to finally see this page! Hope ATL was fabulous. Love the pic, dad.
La

Jim said...

I found it!!
Now you can start that line dancing ministry you have dreamed of so long.