I was at a conference earlier this week for Lutheran pastors in their first three years of ministry who live in the northeast part of the United States. It is one of those conferences that I really do not look forward going too. One of the reasons is that I have so many things going [...]
Posts under ‘First Call’
Dec 31
2009 in Review
In about eleven hours 2009 will be no more. I have finished my first calendar year as a pastor and I can honestly say that I am in a completely different place now than I was this time last year.
I made it through my “second” Christmas. I have to say it felt more like my [...]
Nov 27
26 Things I am Thankful For
For the last month I have been reading about all the thankful things in my friends lives through status messages on facebook. Many of my friends began by posting this:
Let’s see how many people can do this. Every day this month until Thanksgiving, think of one thing that you are thankful for and post it [...]
Mar 26
Church Planting
Yesterday the ELCA came out with an article yesterday talking about the importance of Church planing in the ELCA. The article highlighted a 2007 mission start in Lake Ann, Mich. The church that started with nothing is now worshipping 160 people (mostly children) in an renovated firehouse garage. They hope to have their own worship [...]
Feb 01
Baby Pastor School
Last week I participated in the Institute for Congregational Ministry Retreat. ICM is the major component of First Call Theological Education for ELCA rostered leaders in the Northeast. It is required of all rostered leaders in their first three years of ministry. This is also known for those of us who went to the Lutheran [...]
Nov 17
My Verse
A few weeks ago I was at the Upstate New York Synod “Welcoming Event” at Lake Chautauqua Lutheran Center. It was a time for all the pastors new to the synod to get together and meet the synod staff and the Bishop and one another. It was a time for us to hear the expectations [...]
