I wrote this late last week on my personal Facebook page. I wanted to share it here as well
1) I've pretty much been sitting full-time behind a desk looking at a computer screen reading emails and articles on how to pastor during a pandemic. So far I've "attended" 4 webinars on the subject hosted by Fresh Expressions US, Mission Alliance, and other groups. All of them good . . . and all of them suggesting the same thing . . . We are at a strange and difficult place . . . and what we all share in common is that we are all facing a future that we cannot map out. I agree with this 100%. The other thing they all mentioned . . . give yourself permission to fail. When I played baseball years ago, I was always the clean-up hitter. I was the power hitter, the home run guy. I tried to hit a home run every time I stepped to the plate. Now, the game is totally different, and we will be making up the rules as we go. We might as well embrace, now, that the rules will constantly be changing. We will learn from the failures and successes of each new attempt we take to reach out to people longing for connection during this time, and in the days afterwards.
2) I've been recording videos for Facebook pages for the Comanche and Gustine churches. Doing so is a bit terrifying. I just placed an order for new some sound / video equipment from Amazon to help do this better. Big learning curve ahead. Why didn't I embrace learning how to do this years ago? Because there was always someone who could do it for me. Not anymore. Sure glad I got my iPad Air last year. I'm learning how awesome it is . . . and I'm learning how social media can be used for good.
3) I'm reading the Bible and praying every day. I've been praying hard for myself and all of the clergy I know that we can be witnesses of peace, and examples of how to successfully live out lives of faith somewhere between cautious wisdom and anxious fear (worry). I've written over 70 pages in my Bullet Journal. I've been writing a lot on the computer as well. And I've written about 25 pages in my devotional notebook. I threw away a Pilot G-2 yesterday. I used up all the ink in it.
4) I find that I am honestly missing Mr. Rogers. Yeah, I'll admit it. Fred Rogers is one of my heroes. I've been reading a great book titled "A Visual History of Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood". I've been praying a lot that Mr. Rogers would channel himself and speak through me every time I open my mouth these days. Mr. Rogers, I truly miss you. I'm trying really hard to be a good neighbor. And, when I'm scared or worried, I am trying to look for the helpers. If you watched Mr. Roger's Neighborhood, you get that.
5) I've been on the phone a lot. Not checking the internet. Not checking email. Not texting . . . but talking to people by phone. There are a lot of lonely people right now, who don't have the internet or a smart phone for various personal or financial reasons. But then, there have always been a lot of lonely people. Now, it seems I have the time to realize it more. The cell phone can reach out to more people than Facebook can, but it takes a lot more effort.
6) And . . . I've been hearing the stories of people who cannot GO to church sharing how they are trying hard to BE the church. I am so proud of everyone associated with our churches in Comanche and Gustine. They are trying to take care of themselves, but they are also working hard at loving their neighbors.
I'm a proud pastor of some great people!
7) Finally, I think we are living in a time when we all have the opportunity to reorient our lives away from distractions, and learn once again to focus on really important things, that truly matter and bless our lives more than greed or possessions . . . family, friends and faith. Offered out of my humble opinion . . .
1) I've pretty much been sitting full-time behind a desk looking at a computer screen reading emails and articles on how to pastor during a pandemic. So far I've "attended" 4 webinars on the subject hosted by Fresh Expressions US, Mission Alliance, and other groups. All of them good . . . and all of them suggesting the same thing . . . We are at a strange and difficult place . . . and what we all share in common is that we are all facing a future that we cannot map out. I agree with this 100%. The other thing they all mentioned . . . give yourself permission to fail. When I played baseball years ago, I was always the clean-up hitter. I was the power hitter, the home run guy. I tried to hit a home run every time I stepped to the plate. Now, the game is totally different, and we will be making up the rules as we go. We might as well embrace, now, that the rules will constantly be changing. We will learn from the failures and successes of each new attempt we take to reach out to people longing for connection during this time, and in the days afterwards.
2) I've been recording videos for Facebook pages for the Comanche and Gustine churches. Doing so is a bit terrifying. I just placed an order for new some sound / video equipment from Amazon to help do this better. Big learning curve ahead. Why didn't I embrace learning how to do this years ago? Because there was always someone who could do it for me. Not anymore. Sure glad I got my iPad Air last year. I'm learning how awesome it is . . . and I'm learning how social media can be used for good.
3) I'm reading the Bible and praying every day. I've been praying hard for myself and all of the clergy I know that we can be witnesses of peace, and examples of how to successfully live out lives of faith somewhere between cautious wisdom and anxious fear (worry). I've written over 70 pages in my Bullet Journal. I've been writing a lot on the computer as well. And I've written about 25 pages in my devotional notebook. I threw away a Pilot G-2 yesterday. I used up all the ink in it.
4) I find that I am honestly missing Mr. Rogers. Yeah, I'll admit it. Fred Rogers is one of my heroes. I've been reading a great book titled "A Visual History of Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood". I've been praying a lot that Mr. Rogers would channel himself and speak through me every time I open my mouth these days. Mr. Rogers, I truly miss you. I'm trying really hard to be a good neighbor. And, when I'm scared or worried, I am trying to look for the helpers. If you watched Mr. Roger's Neighborhood, you get that.
5) I've been on the phone a lot. Not checking the internet. Not checking email. Not texting . . . but talking to people by phone. There are a lot of lonely people right now, who don't have the internet or a smart phone for various personal or financial reasons. But then, there have always been a lot of lonely people. Now, it seems I have the time to realize it more. The cell phone can reach out to more people than Facebook can, but it takes a lot more effort.
6) And . . . I've been hearing the stories of people who cannot GO to church sharing how they are trying hard to BE the church. I am so proud of everyone associated with our churches in Comanche and Gustine. They are trying to take care of themselves, but they are also working hard at loving their neighbors.
I'm a proud pastor of some great people!
7) Finally, I think we are living in a time when we all have the opportunity to reorient our lives away from distractions, and learn once again to focus on really important things, that truly matter and bless our lives more than greed or possessions . . . family, friends and faith. Offered out of my humble opinion . . .
Rick ><>
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