Pastor's Page

You didn't choose me, remember; I chose you, and put you in the world to bear fruit, fruit that won't spoil. As fruit bearers, whatever you ask the Father in relation to me, he gives you. But remember the root command: Love one another. —John 15:16-17

Church work is sort of like munching from one of those big cans of Mixed Nuts – the kind you get at Sam’s. When you open it, there’s the favorite nuts such as almonds, cashews, pecans and brazils all mixed in with a huge amount of peanuts. Not that I don’t like the peanuts, I’d just rather have an almond or a cashew. After awhile you have to look before you scoop or all you get are peanuts!

I guess every task we do as part of our personal ministry in Christ has a few tasks you enjoy, kind of like an almond, and other tasks you just have to finish off, like peanuts. Around the Church Office back toward the end of 2011, when we were wrapping things up, it seemed to be a peanut time…

Yearend reports, new year budgets, recruiting, facility issues, planning for worship services, even planning for the Planning Retreat in January. Everything has to be considered and properly managed along with the weekly routines of worship, visits, phone calls, mail, email, etc. In the midst of it all, there was one kind of nut we were all worried about, the CASHews (sorry, couldn’t resist that)!

Thanks to the faithfulness and hard work of so many in this remarkable congregation, we were able to end 2011 with all bills and mission funds paid! I express to each of you my heartfelt appreciation for meeting our financial goals in this difficult economic time. From nuts to fruits, it’s all good for ya’.

When our leadership gathered for the Church Council Planning Retreat on January 7, we paused to pray and consider where God was leading us into 2012. One thing we know for sure, no matter how nutty we are, God is calling us to be a fruitful congregation! Let me share a bit of what we talked about at our retreat. Back in 2004, Missouri Bishop Robert Schnase heard a colleague talk about the need for a common language to describe the work of the church. The result was a fresh way to focus on the Wesleyan concepts of church life and spiritual development. Those principle concepts grew into his book, Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations (Abingdon Press, 2007) that many churches have used since to enhance their ministries. The five practices rethink the old standards of evangelism, worship, education, mission and stewardship with a more faithful future for the church using Christ as our standard. Bishop Schnase calls it the exemplary way‖ that expects fruit, blessing, growth and excellence. His book has helped churches like ours find a common language.

Here’s an excerpt that summarizes the practices: “Fruitfulness for congregations means effectiveness in fulfilling the mission and purpose God has given them. The mission of The United Methodist Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. How fruitful are congregations in this task?

“Congregations fulfill this purpose by performing the five practices in an exemplary fashion: through Radical Hospitality, congregations reach out and offer the invitation and welcome of Christ; God shapes hearts and minds through Passionate Worship, creating a desire for closer relationship to Christ; through Intentional Faith Development, God’s Spirit helps people grow in grace and in the love of God and neighbor; maturing in Christ causes people to respond to the needs of others as they discern God’s call, which results in Risk-Taking Mission and Service; and as people continue to grow in grace, they place more of what they are and what they have under the lordship of Christ, practicing Extravagant Generosity.” (p. 132)

As you can see, with this kind of fruit, we’re not just talking peanuts! At our retreat, we had a lot of holy conversation about these practices and set some exciting goals for the year. If you want to know more about these goals, the Planning Retreat Minutes are available by email and hard copy (in the Church Office). You’ll be hearing more about these goals as our committees meet and plans take shape.

Please pray for First UMC for the year ahead as we seek to be exemplary in faithfulness to Christ!

-Rev. Keith L. Head

"You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." - 1 Peter 2:9

As we begin this new year together, I have three simple requests for you.

1. Please read the following comments gathered from the November Neighborhood Chats held in homes around Terrell, think about them, and pray for God’s guidance as we seek to be a faithful church in this new year. What are God’s priorities for us? Where is God taking us?
2. Read over the names of the 2012 Leadership Roster and pray for our leaders and their teams as they begin their ministries and missions.
3. Attend the Planning Retreat, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Saturday, January 7, in the Fellowship Hall, and/or pray as we seek God’s wisdom for our congregation.

It is a high privilege and honor to be your pastor and I look forward to our time together this year!

NEIGHBORHOOD CHATS

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

November 2011

Comments from five chats with a total of 57 participants.

Words used to describe our church (several used more than once):

Family, welcoming, accepting, warm, caring, unique, open, supportive, changing, inspiring, traditional, loving, friendly, diverse, homey, sanctuary, unity, Sunday School, willing, comfortable, changed, grounded, deep roots, familiarity, beautiful, outreaching to our community, extended family, home away from home, cozy, comfort, ritual, sameness.

What attracted you to First United Methodist Church, Terrell? (listed in random order)

• Grew up United Methodist
• Wanted kids to grow up in the church
• First UMC is a church where multi-generations attend together
• Children and youth programs
• Beautiful sanctuary
• Feeling of belonging
• Sunday School class connections: party, Thanksgiving dinner
• Preacher
• High school kids all came here
• Methodist Day School
• Children’s minister
• Friendliness
• Life long members or grew up here
• Traditions
• Caring people
• Well-behaved children
• Invited by friend
• Found church on Internet
• Cared when family was in need
• Generosity of members
• Friendly
• People
• Supportive of you when needed
• Church works together well on focused projects (i.e., roof)
• New roof that doesn’t leak
• Website

Our hopes and dreams (listed in categories)

• Provide a church where young families feel welcome
• Need to “step up to the plate” to help younger families
• Appreciate the work that Joyce Lewis and Joan Hunt are doing with younger families
• Be accepting of changes that may be needed to attract youth and young adults
• Provide support for young families, like providing childcare for date nights
• Check with Family Matters class to see what would help them
• Consistent and energetic leadership for children’s classes
• Need more emphasis on Wednesday night for youth
• Need teenagers and parents of teenagers in the church (40-50 year olds)
• Be relevant to youth’s lives
• Be attractive to youth
• A church where kids can be involved
• Work with other churches on coordinating youth programs/collaborate
• Youth needed
• Sports Teams like volleyball and softball for young adults
• Basketball teams for children
• Work with the Ministerial Alliance to create/promote sports

Emphasis on Community

• Church should be a second family
• Feel like a big family that is not commercialized and is more accountable to each other than just being a “pew filler”
• Intergenerational events—break down barriers
• Have small groups that meet monthly to foster community (supper clubs, etc.)
• Have coffee and cookies available in the Fellowship Hall between Sunday School and worship
• People are seeking support and companionship, a support system
• Foster community through Sunday School classes
• Opportunities for sharing and growth through small groups as well as fellowship on Sunday mornings
• New people involved
• Foster ownership of the church and involvement in decision making
• Invite new members to be part of the church structure

Outreach to visitors

• Follow up with our visitors
• Make sure updated brochures are at the Chamber of Commerce
• Train ushers about handing out visitor packets
• Put a page in the registration book with church information
• Have an updated website

Communication

• Email church members weekly with church information
• Email the newsletter and/or put it on the website
• Continue the phone tree and texts to communicate
• Continue to improve our communication efforts through email, the website, and phone tree as we seek to keep members informed and involved
• Need pocket sized directories

Concern for the elderly

• A church where we continue to care routinely for our older members
• Help elderly around their homes with chores
• Have a communion rail offering to fund helping the elderly
• Find out who might need help getting to church
• Make church more accessible to handicapped
• Televise worship services in the Fellowship Hall for those who can’t get in sanctuary
• Homebound visited regularly, maybe take Sunday tapes to them

Facilities

• Family Life Center that includes sports facilities (3 different groups)
• May need more land
• Too many entrances so nowhere to gather before and after worship service
• Talked about old hospital across the street – not really feasible (2 groups)
• Concerned that sanctuary will not be attractive to younger persons
• Share the building with outside groups
• Can’t hear the sermon all the time or the choir

Spiritual Growth

• Teach basics of faith (prayer, UMC beliefs, Bible) so that when individuals face challenging situations they have a firm foundation
• Bible study classes
• Train leaders and mentors
• Where we teach the basics of faith so that as our children and youth grow to face challenging situations they will have a foundation on which to lean
• Provide mentoring and leadership training
• Create relationships
• Support the Will Graham revival in March (hosting breakfast, could train as counselors, need funds, expect thousands, many could visit church—Terrell was picked because of Labor for Your Neighbors and community cooperation)
• Bible study that links scripture to lives
• More Bible studies

Worship

• Blended worship that appeals to more generations
• Familiar hymns balanced with new ones
• Prayer cards in the pews
• Appreciate Eric’s music leadership

Change our image

Have a focus

Chat Quotes:

“FUMC feels like a big family where you are not just a ‘pew filler’ and we are more accountable to each other.”

“We are traditional in the sense that we are grounded and have deep roots as a church. That sense of comfort is something we can offer to persons seeking a church home.”

Keith’s Goals and Dreams

• Develop a gift-based ministry

• At the end of the chats, Keith handed out the “STRIDE Guide” and “Spiritual Gifts Discovery Tool,” as well as 2011 First UMC Nominations list.

• Better understand who we are as United Methodists and how our giving and apportionments works.

• Keith also distributed brochures on The United Methodist Church, Why Give, and How Apportionments Work, along with a DVD about ministries supported by apportionments.

"You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." - 1 Peter 2:9

The year 2011 has brought my family to a new place and a new people, the congregation of First United Methodist Church! Our walk with Christ is always a matter of taking the next step on a journey of faith.

We began this journey on July 1 and hit the ground running! I had two funerals in early August, one with my former congregation and one with a First UMC member. I immediately began what I'm fond to call "Visitations with Vinnie," going out with Vinnie Perry, our Care Corps Coordinator, to visit our home-bound folks and those in assisted living centers around Terrell.

Then, we got spruced up for our family photograph in the new Pictorial Church Directory that will be coming out soon. September brought our Planning Retreat where we heard positive reports about the many ministries of our church and there was enthusiasm as we considered the months ahead. It was an opportunity for me to become more familiar with the structures of First UMC and to share my understanding of God's vision for us at this time. The Church Council, under the able direction of Chair Ann McDonald, agreed to continue our Congregational Transformation consultation with Dr. Don Nations and DNA Coaching that will be our focus at our next Planning Retreat on January 7, 2012. Another event that will take our attention is the Trinity Valley Will Graham Crusade coming up on March 23-25. Please keep these events in prayer.

We began our Wednesday Night Live classes in September where I am teaching a Bible study and my wife, Shirley, teaches a "Love and Logic Parenting" Class. This is part of the continuing effort by First UMC to support young families. A small group continues on a weekday morning and we now have a "Family Matters" Sunday School class for parents of young families that is averaging around 12 each Sunday. Much of this is made possible by our wonderful partnerships with Methodist Day School led by Alison Hunt and Parents Day Out led by Kim Pfaff.

I've been learning the traditions of First UMC, such as the fall Country Store that raised more than $10,000 for our church and the Pairs and Spares Class Thanksgiving Dinner that involves the community and brings in their funding for missions. Speaking of missions, what an amazing event we had in October with Labors for Our Neighbors in cooperation with the other churches of Terrell and coordinated by Gail Rodgers and Launny Thies. Much mission work is also supported by the United Methodist Men and Girlfriends of Glory. My appreciation to all who help missions.

As is true for every church these days, we are struggling with financial stability in a troubled economic time, but we are encouraged with increased giving, along with a growing average worship attendance, up to around 130. I am also excited about the seven new members who have come on board since I have been here.

I've learned quite a bit about many of our members and attendees through our recent Neighborhood Chats held in host homes to give me an opportunity to share an evening of casual conversations. It also allowed me, as the new guy, to learn about what folks love about this church, as well as their hopes and dreams. In the January newsletter, I will share with you our notes from those five chats.

As I come to this appointment, I bring with me these priorities for my time and energy.

1. Our number one MISSION statement as United Methodists is the same as God gave us in the scriptures at the end of Matthew 28: "to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world." It's called the GREAT COMMISSION.
2. We live out that commission in the balance between the two sides of the GREATEST COMMANDMENTS (Matthew 22:37-39): "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all our mind." This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
3. Living those commandments means observing the three General Rules set down by John Wesley with the early Methodists: Do no harm. Do good. Stay in love with God.
4. There are four areas of focus that we as The United Methodist Church are now actively addressing around the world: Developing principled Christian leaders for the Church and the world. Creating new places for new people and renewing existing congregations. Engaging in ministry with the poor. Stamping out the killer diseases of poverty by improving health globally.
5. And, finally, that focus happens through the five practices of a faithful congregation: radical hospitality, passionate worship, intentional faith development, risk-taking mission, and extravagant generosity.

All these five areas: our mission, our balance, our simple rules, our focus, and our practices have all come out of our identity as disciples of Jesus blessed with a Wesleyan heritage. It is our United Methodist DNA! It's how we see, hear, and respond to God's Word in Jesus.

I will continue to learn about the unique role of First UMC in the Terrell community and seek God's vision for us through our consultation work. Aside from teaching the Bible Study on Wednesdays (the teacher always learns more than the students), I have sought other continuing education opportunities such as the fall North Texas Conference Clergy Retreat where I learned from the presenter, Dr. Dana Roberts, about the globalization of the Church and models for missions in the Twenty-first Century. I also attended the East District Day with our DNA Coaching Consultant Dr. Don Nations who gave a presentation on "Creating a Positive Leadership Environment." I will be sharing this information with our FUMC leadership.

I believe people are hungry to know themselves and God in deep and powerful ways. There is a fundamental desire among Christians not only to live faithfully, but to contribute to a purpose much greater than themselves. They turn to the church for direction and for a means to engage in creative self-examination. However, the church in general lacks the processes by which this exploration may occur. We need to offer our congregation tools for self-exploration so each member may discover new insight into who they are as disciples of Jesus Christ. This, in turn, will help our congregation discover who we are collectively as a community of faith. I pray my recent sermon series, "Serving from the Heart," will provide a foundation for such a "gifts-based ministry" at First UMC where each member understands and embraces the gifts God has provided them and engages those gifts in ministry to the world. The more we understand our S.T.R.I.D.E. (Spiritual gifts, Talents, Resources, Individuality, Dreams, and Experiences) the more effective is our walk with Christ!

Finally, with deep gratitude, I thank God for the blessing that the First UMC has been to my family as Shirley and Zachary also make big transitions in their lives. AND, what a blessing it is to work with such a great ministry "team." A great big THANK YOU to our staff, Johnette Rogers, Angie Cooper, Eric Robertson, and Cathy Wheeler along with the wonderful volunteers who grace our office each week doing programming and office support! And, of course, all this is made possible through the strong lay leadership provided by the faithful members of First UMC! You are indeed the faithful people of God.

I hope my presence here will bring a sense of joy in serving Christ and a continuing commitment to serve the community of Terrell. I look forward to all the possibilities of the new year of 2012 within this beloved congregation as we build the foundation for the vision God is bringing to our congregation "to become and to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world"

Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serveone another with whatever gift each of you has received. ~1 Peter 4:10

Last Sunday was Laity Sunday (October 23), a time to celebrate the ministry of all believers and the partnership between laity and clergy in serving Christ. The message time was shared by two members of First UMC, our Lay Leader Joyce Lewis and one of our Lay Speakers, Johnny Trent.

Joyce described the “state of our church” with an explanation of the concept of “blessing” as what we both receive from, and offer to, one another in Christian community. Johnny picked up on this theme of service as he reminded the congregation of the “Great Commission” found in Matthew 28 to “make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” He noted that it was not the Great Suggestion, but the Great Commission and each of us have been given spiritual gifts to do our part in the task. Thank you, Joyce and Johnny, for your inspiring words!

As I continue to reflect on what was said in their messages, I contemplate what gifts are needed for this Commission. I think about the vows we make when we become members of The United Methodist Church. We promise to uphold the Church by our prayers, our presence, our GIFTS, our service and our witness. I believe that typically when we talk about "gifts" in this context it is translated into giving – money – especially during this time when we are preparing programs and budgets for the new year. And it is true that the church needs these monetary gifts to sustain ministries and missions. Giving our tithes and offerings to the church is evidence of our commitment to the ongoing work of the church both locally and abroad. It is also evidence that we take our membership, or more importantly, our discipleship seriously. After all, the Church is not a service club, it is the Body of Christ alive in the world!

However, I would like you to think about upholding the church with another type of gift. Think about the value of your spiritual gifts. Think about the wide reach and effect of those gifts on the world! What wonderful and powerful things might happen if each member used their spiritual gifts, not only in the church, but in their homes, workplaces, schools and communities?

God has gifted each of us differently and has given the exact gifts that are needed in each congregation. If there is something lacking in our congregation, perhaps someone is not using their God-given gifts. So, as you think about "transforming the world" as a disciple, what gifts do you have that could lead to transformation? Remember that the world is not only those far-away places that we hear about or visit; it is the places outside your doors.

Every believer needs to understand spiritual gifts, discover them, and use them to build up the Body of Christ and to transform the world. "For we are what (God) has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life." (Ephesians 2:10)

Both types of gifts – money and spiritual – are needed to equip the saints for the work of ministry and to build up the Body of Christ. And each believer should use their gift according to the grace that they have been given. What transformation could occur in our congregation and in the world if each member offered their gifts of money and spirit?

Of course, all of us are at different levels on our faith journeys. Are you a seeker – trying to understand who this Jesus really is? Or, are you an explorer – having a commitment to Christ, but still not sure where the journey is taking you? Or, are you a guide – you’ve been on many journeys of faith and now desire to help others along the path of experience? We are all at different levels and we all need each other on this climb to our spiritual summit!

Whatever your path, I pray you will find a “blessing” in the upcoming series of  messages, Serving from the Heart, as we consider our unique gifts, talents, resources, and dreams that we bring to the Christian experience of First United Methodist Church. We will discover how we all have our own “S.T.R.I.D.E.” in our walk with Christ:  

S piritual gifts T alents R esources I ndividuality D reams E xperiences

“Spiritual gifts discovery offers us an opportunity to create a different way to organize and be in ministry… Frederick Buechner reminds us that God’s will resides at the meeting place of our deep passion and the deep hunger of the world. The church is most effective when it attends to the needs, identity, and call of individuals, then helps link them together in community and service with one another.” – Equipped for Every Good Work, Building a Gifts-Based Church by Dan R. Dick and Barbara Miller

Now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know  only in part; then I will know fully even as I have been fully known. And now  faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love..         – 1 Corinthians 13:12-13 (NRSV) 

Each morning we all wake up and begin our daily routines. At some point we have to check out our face in the mirror, “dimly” or not, to make sure we are presentable for the “face-to-face” encounters of the day. Our spirits must also awake to face the day!

The Apostle Paul’s partial/complete comparisons at the end of the Love Chapter (1 Corinthians 13) tell us that our daily walk is one of faith that moves toward hope. The dim uncertainties of today will be revealed in full someday and the path to knowing God face to face is the love of Jesus Christ! Such love brings face-to-face encounters with others, as well.  

As I begin my fourth month as your pastor, I’m still putting names to faces, so be patient with me! The new Pictorial Church Directory that replaces the one from four years ago will be helpful for me and the other new faces who are showing up. Thanks to everyone who came to get their picture made and to Vinnie Perry, Erika Dorsey, Phyllis Webb and all the others who are volunteering their time behind the scenes to complete the new Church directory that should be out by the end of this year!Everyone will benefit from an updated directory that will help us get to know each other “face-to-face.”

I saw a lot of expressions of joy about First UMC on the faces of more than 20 folks who showed up for the Planning Retreat on September 10. We heard positive reports about the many ministries of our church and there was enthusiasm as we considered the months ahead. It was an opportunity for me to become more familiar with the First UMC structures and to share my understanding of God’s vision for us at this time. The Church Council, under the able direction of Chair Ann McDonald, agreed to continue our Congregational Transformation consultation with Dr. Don Nations and DNA Coaching which you’ll be hearing more about soon. We also clarified our fall stewardship approach and made plans for the Charge Conference (church business meeting) for 5:30 p.m., the Sunday before Thanksgiving, November 20.

Another facial encounter being prepared for November will be what I like to call Neighborhood Chats, an opportunity for church folks to share an evening of refreshments and conversations together with other members and attendees who live nearby, but may not be well known to each other. It also allows me as the new guy to visit in a small group atmosphere outside the rush of Sunday mornings. In order to accommodate about 10 persons in each gathering, we will probably need 8-10 homes around Terrell to host an evening or Sunday afternoon during the first couple of weeks of November. Please be thinking if you would be willing to make your home available for one of these meetings. Watch your Sunday bulletin for more details.

October 2 is World Communion Sunday, the time of the year when we join with churches around the globe recognizing our unity in Christ around the sacramental table. We will also begin a short sermon series on “Three Simple Rules” that come to us from Methodism’s founding father, John Wesley, to help us live in the example of Jesus. 

The Sunday after October 8's “Country Store” event, we “walk the talk” as we meet for  an EARLY WORSHIP SERVICE at 8:30 a.m. to go out into the Terrell community to serve others in “Labor to Your Neighbor.” You are also invited to the United Methodist Men’s Breakfast at 8:00 a.m. We’ll return to our regular schedule on Sunday, October 16.  It seems like quite a few new faces have visited us lately. Let’s make sure they experience the most welcoming congregation in Terrell! And, that means a face-to-face encounter that shares the love of Jesus who has already shown us on the cross that our FACE VALUE is given a very high price!!!  

By Rev. Keith L. Head (keith@fumcterrell.org)