Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Retreat Week


It's retreat week around HMC.

Today was our all-day staff retreat. We spent the morning with all staff, including our administrators and custodian. We played a team-building game that involved piling everyone onto a ridiculously small tarp--then we tried folding it. Fun.

We talked about transition. We told a few lies (ever played 2 truths & a lie?). We talked about the fall pulpit series (families, get ready to sign up for the Feud!). We talked about our core values. And we ate.

In the afternoon our ministry staff stuck around to do the dishes and get honest with each other. We talked about the vision and whether we're all pulling in the same direction. And we drank a lot of coffee.

1 retreat down. 1 to go.

This weekend is our Ministry Council retreat. Friday night our ministry staff will share our thoughts on our organizational structure and where we're headed. On Saturday, our leadership council will make decisions that may affect the course of ministry for years to come.

My shoulders and neck feel a bit tense. I think my knees will be aching soon.

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Moved by words on a page


We picked our little girl up from camp tonight. The bright pink cast made her easy to spot in the midst of so many children.

On the ride home she told us about a cool swamp walk that smelled worst than toilet water. She also shared stories of talent night and a counselor that made rules like "no farting on the tarp".

She even told of the morning she was moved to tears reading one of the letters Erika and I had pre-written and stuffed in her suitcase. When we asked who wrote the letter, mom or dad, we found out it was me.

If only a editor could be similarly moved by my submissions for publication.


Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Bookkeeper Deadline

Today was my first day back in the office after my week of vacation.

It was good to reconnect with the staff and get caught up on the latest HMC news.

Here's a newsworthy item:

Tomorrow is the application deadline for a part-time bookkeeper  (10hrs/week).

So Mr. or Ms. bookkeeper.  If you're out there, stop procrastinating.  Now's the time to apply.

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Keeping my head above the water


Blogger, I've missed you. It's been way too long.

As you can probably tell, I don't have as much time to write these days. It comes with saying good-bye to another pastor. Since coming to HMC I've waved farewell to five ministry staff in less than four years (Milly, Claran, Olu, Rick, and Peter). The latest, Peter, our 20 year veteran pastor was a rock of stability. I miss him but I'm glad he has moved on. I wanted to keep him around, but he had other plans. His absence has allowed our staff team to stretch into uncomfortable-land. That's the magical place where we all receive more to do--we'll call them new opportunities--to sink or swim as pastors.

As far as I can tell we've all got our heads above water (even though my blogging silence might indicate otherwise). I believe our staff team is headed in the right direction and I'm encouraged to see so many HMC people jumping in after us.

The real test will be how well we elder one another once we face the crocodiles ahead.
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