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09 Nov

November 9, 2009 |

Sandy and I arrived in Yonkers, New York, on Friday, November 6. On Friday night and Saturday, I led an evaluation of Bethel Temple of Praise, the UB church in Yonkers.

I was joined by Dan Palmer, an experienced church planter from Tennessee who and has a history of planting a multiethnic congregation. We had a good meeting with senior pastor Dalton Jenkins on Friday night.

On Saturday, a group of 15-20 people from the church came together. We asked some questions and did some teaching and sharing. Then Dan and I came back to the hotel and put together a report.

On Saturday evening, I met with the cluster that Dalton leads. Linton Thomas and Joseph Abu came to the meeting, and we had some good interaction.

Then, around 7 p.m., there was a fundraising rally. It was a night to remember. Many people, most of Jamaican descent, came from a number of area churches. The Bethel Temple of Praise church was packed as its praise team led off with several songs. Each church had someone sing a song. After each song, they went out to collect an offering, then return and report what they had raised. The emcee kept it moving with humor and a good-natured challenge to each church to out-give the last one.

On Sunday morning, I gave the sermon at Bethel, challenging the people to identify the lions in their lives that cause them to fear, and to become a lion chaser through the power of God.

09 Nov

November 9, 2009 |

On November 8, NorthPoint Church of Toledo, Ohio, began holding services in the 930-seat auditorium of a new YMCA. In return, NorthPoint signed an agreement to contribute $500,000 to the YMCA over the next ten years.

The Toledo Blade ran an article about the church on November 7, which included interviews with senior pastor Brad Wotring and teaching pastor Pat Schwenk.

Northpoint, with a 2008 attendance of 500, is overflowing its current facility (the church once known as Harvest Lane). They held a preview service a few weeks ago at the YMCA, and 800 people came. They’ll continue using the Harvest Lane facility for office space, Bible classes, community outreach, and other things.

06 Nov

November 6, 2009 |

Fonda Cassidy, layperson, Mt. Olivet UB (Mt. Solon, Va.)
During October, we had pastor appreciation each week with events of writing on their walls, poking them, etc. (using large cardboard pieces as walls). The third Sunday, our two pastors, Todd Lilley and pastor Dan Lam, were presented with overnight stays at the Highland Inn, a beautiful historical hotel in Monteray, Va. The fourth Sunday, we did a short video of events throughout the year, and a surprise lunch at the end of the service. We had great attendance and great support.

06 Nov

November 6, 2009 |

Bonnie Ramer, layperson, Ebenezer UB (Greencastle, Pa.)
Our church held a Pastor Appreciation Sunday. We gave our pastors the day off, and members of the congregation did the entire morning worship service. Afterwards, everyone was invited to the front of the church to present their tokens of appreciation to senoir pastor David Grove and his wife Amy, and associate pastor Jim Mack and his wife, Faith. Since David and Amy just had a baby girl, Madison Noel, on October 1, we had a baby shower for them at the same time.

David Grove, senior pastor, Ebenezer UB (Greencastle, Pa.)
For the first time, the church held a public Harvest Party on the church parking lot as an alternative to Halloween Trick or Treating. We had games, food, face-painting, trunk & treats (candy was given out from the trunks of several cars), and hay rides. Although it was windy and chilly, we had close to 300 people. Praise God for this great success. We are planning on having a second one next year.

05 Nov

November 5, 2009 |

Last Sunday evening, Sandy and I went to Mainstreet Church (Walbridge, Ohio) to hear senior pastor Marty Pennington talk to the small groups that normally meet on Sunday evenings. They set up their lobby as a coffeeshop and served coffee and donuts. He shared about their “BE” capital campaign. It was an enjoyable night.

We returned on Monday for a tour of the Mainstreet facility. It is an attractive and functional church. We shared lunch with Marty and Amy. It is exciting to see God at work.

On Tuesday morning, before we headed out of Ohio, we realized that we were only about 10 miles from Bethel UB in Elmore, Ohio. So we drove over there. Pastor Norm Pickett was visiting someone in the hospital, but the church secretary showed us around. She was a great guide and spoke in positive terms about the church and the impact it is having in the life of the community and in her family. It was exciting to hear. We then drove on to Franklin, Pa.

On Wednesday morning, we met with Steve Clulow’s cluster at the Atlantic Avenue church in Franklin. About 10 pastors were there. Gary Small, who pastors Atlantic Avenue, shared devotions about unity from Acts 4. Some good discussion followed and then I shared a little of what has been going on at Healthy Ministry Resources.

Gary took us on a tour of the new facilities under construction. They will have a new sanctuary, offices, and lobby, and the lower level is being turn into a delightfully decorated children’s area. God is at work.

Sandy and I then left Franklin around 11 and headed across Pennsylvania. And today, Thursday, it is on Yonkers to meet up with Dalton Jenkins and the Bethel Temple of Praise church. Looking forward to a good time together.

05 Nov

November 5, 2009 |

Greg Helman, Senior Pastor, Blue Rock UB (Waynesboro, Pa.)
Blue Rock Church held a roast for me at the Mont Alto Fire Hall to celebrate over 20 years of ministry for me. There was a tremendous turnout for the event. Some people who attended were in my Sunday school class when God called me to be a pastor. At that time, I was the teacher.

Photograph albums, posters, and a ministry scrapbook of weddings and funerals were laid out for all to see. A number of people stood up and spoke from the audience. Two of my children did a Top Ten of things they thought were both funny and serious about me. My wife shared her point of view from the call throughout the last 20-plus years.

Of course, they asked me to share some, and I was overwhelmed by the outpouring of love through cards, gifts, and kind words. It was a wonderful night of good friends and good food.

David Burkett, Senior Pastor, Mount Morris UB (Mount Morris, Mich.)
For Pastor Appriciation Month this year, I received cards of appreciation, some including gifts of cash or gift cards, throughout the month. Then on Sunday, November 1, we had a “Pack-A-Pew” Sunday. We gave a prize to the person who brought the most first-time visitors. The prize-winner brought six new people with her! Following the morning service we had a potluck dinner at which my family and I were the honored guests.

Tell us how your church recognized Pastor Appreciation Month.

04 Nov

November 4, 2009 |

I want to announce the hiring of Denny Miller, senior pastor of Emmanuel Community Church in Fort Wayne, Ind. He will work one day a week for Healthy Ministry Resources. He will oversee the cluster leaders and provide direction to the cluster system.

As I talk with other denominational executives, they all seem to like our cluster structure. I believe this system has great promise, but needs more direction.

Denny is uniquely equipped for this role. Some of our original ideas for clusters came out of the Healthy Church Leadership Team back 8 years ago. Denny was the chairman. I believe we can work on some new ways to help clusters have a greater impact in both training and meeting the needs of pastors.

We hope to roll out an updated strategy with our cluster leaders in January 2010.

We are excited about what is happening in many of our churches. We want to challenge all of our churches to pray hard and follow the direction that God leads us in to more effectively impact the towns and communities where we have churches. It is time to move with all of our energy to accomplish the mission that God has for us.

03 Nov

November 3, 2009 |

Beryl Fix, wife of former United Brethren minister Jack Fix, passed away Sunday, November 1, after suffering a heart attack. She was 94. Jack and Beryl’s ministry included pastoring College Park UB church (Huntington, Ind.) and the former Olive View UB church (Sylmar, Calif.). Sons Gerald and Burney also served in the UB ministry. A memorial service will be held November 5 at 11 a.m. at Christ Community Church in Modesto, Calif.

02 Nov

November 2, 2009 |

Dick RaaabDick Raab, a retired United Brethren minister in Michigan, has been diagnosed with cancer and given 3-6 months to live. He learned that October 19 following a visit to the oncologist. Dick began radiation treatments on August 24 (which left him very sick), but a CT scan showed that the sarcoma tumors were growing despite the radiation.

Dick’s wife, Donelle, sent this note:

“The oncologist’s office is contacting hospice. This is tough news for the rest of us, but Dick will be enjoying great things beyond our imagination. Dick’s request for prayer is that he would be able to be a witness for his Lord, that he would maintain his sense of humor, and that he wouldn’t suffer too much pain. Hospice should help with the pain issue, but the rest is more up to him and God. Also, he’d love visits or phone calls.”

You can contact Dick by email at: donelleraab@yahoo.com.

01 Nov

November 1, 2009 |

Sandy and I spent the morning with Shoreline Church in Oak Harbor, Ohio. We enjoyed worshiping with them and sharing a testimony of God’s leading in our lives. Steve Fish is doing a good job of leading this congregation. He spoke out of John 13-14 about the 4 questions that were asked of Jesus by Peter, Thomas, Philip, and Judas.

It is wonderful to see God at work in the life of Shoreline. They are growing and have a vision to impact the shoreline of Lake Erie with the message of hope that comes from Christ.