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17 Jun

June 17, 2008 |

At Mainstreet, when I prepared my sermons, I would frequently hit a road block, unable to get my ideas to gel. That was always frustrating. So I would go visit people in the hospital, and in between hospitals, I would preach at the steering wheel. Lo and behold, it sounded pretty good! I’d stop and jot down some ideas, and things came together.

I prepared a lot of sermons that way. I would get excited about something, pound the steering wheel, and feel like I wanted to kick the tires. People in other cars probably thought I was nuts.

I still find myself doing that. An idea will pop into my head while I’m driving, and I’ll start talking about it out loud. I can think better when I’m talking than when I’m writing. 

Some preachers manuscript their sermons. I don’t. Many times I’d write my sermon outline on a note-card, with several words on it.

As a pastor, I was always well-prepared. I studied hard, going back to the Greek and Hebrew to research the original meaning of words, and reading as many commentaries as I could find about a Scripture passage. But I had a hard time putting everything I learned into a 30-minute package, and would go into the pulpit and basically speak without notes.

I’ve been criticized for that.  But I tell people, “I’m not giving a speech. I’m preaching.”

17 Jun

June 17, 2008 |

Three work groups are headed overseas this week: 

  • Wednesday: a construction group from College Park Church (Huntington, Ind.) travels to Honduras. 
  • Thursday: 26 teens and adults will do an English Camp in Poland. 
  • Friday: a 15-person medical team travels to the Copan region of Honduras. 

16 Jun

June 16, 2008 |

Several groups are preparing to head overseas.

June 18. A group from College Park Church (Huntington, Ind.) travels to Honduras, where they will build bunk beds at the camp outside of La Ceiba. Roger Vezeau, associate pastor at College Park, is leading this all-adult group.

June 19-July 2. A group of 26 teens and adults will conduct an English camp in Kutno, Poland. This is the fourth year a group has ministered in Poland. This year’s team includes people from:

  • King Street Church (Chambersburg, Pa.).
  • Criders UB(Chambersburg, Pa.)
  • Cochranton Community Church (Cochranton, Pa.)
  • Lancaster UB (Lanaster, Ohio)
  • First UB (Holly Hill, Fla.).

Jody Sarno, who comes out of King Street Church (Chambersburg, Pa.), is the team leader. The team will partner with a group from Scotland, as they did last year.

June 20-28. A 15-person medical team travels to the Copan region of Honduras, under the leadership of Robert and Fonda Cassidy, from Mount Olivet UB in Mt. Solon, Va. The team includes people from UB churches in Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana. The group includes registered nurses, an EMT, a chiropractor, and various support staff who will help with medical records and other duties. (Fonda Cassidy is a trauma care nurse and does high-risk deliveries.)

The group will start in Santa Rosa, the largest city in the Copan region. Each day, they will conduct a mobile clinic in association with a different United Brethren church. They will hold at least five clinics. Donna Hollopeter, associate director of Global Ministries, is a member of this team.

July 12. Four persons from Heritage UB (Dansville, Mich.), under the leadership of senior pastor Cal Hodgson, will do construction in the Copan region of Honduras.

July 18-August 3. For the second year, a team representing Huntington University and Global Ministries will conduct an English camp for English teachers in Zuhai, a major city in southern China.

16 Jun

June 16, 2008 |

A few items of possible interest:

  • Tim Hallman (Anchor UB, Fort Wayne, Ind.) addresses “Poverty and the Church in the USA.”
  • Scott Hardaway of Pathway Community (Jackson, Mich.) talks about the use of skits, sets, and video in worship services.He also introduces his new sermon series, “Driven,” which has a Nascar theme. He talks about visiting the Michigan International Speedway in preparation for the five-week series.

16 Jun

June 16, 2008 |

“How many churches do we have in Massachusetts?” Rubenia Bomatay asked me. She pastors a primarily Honduran congregation near Boston, Massachusetts.

Pam and I visited yesterday to connect with Rubenia and her congregation at Iglesia Reformada Emanuel.  “Uno,” was my response.  “You are the only one.”

No wonder they feel isolated. A six-hour train ride from the nearest cluster and few other Spanish-speaking congregations within our tribe make it tough to sustain a sense of belonging. But they are Hermanos Unitos en Christo (United Brethren in Christ.)

It was a joy to share a meal with Rubenia, her husband Gerardo, and son Moses prior to the Wednesday night service on June 11. Moses was our translator, as his folks speak limited English and I speak very limited Spanish. Pam and I were blessed by their heart for the Lord and for ministry.

Gerardo, Moses, and another man from their church recently completed a three-year Bible Institute provided by a local Assemblies of God congregation. They work closely with the local police to make a true difference in a gang-oriented neighborhood. I had the privilege of speaking to a very warm and engaged congregation. Our conversation on the way back to the hotel was focused on how we can be a greater support and encouragement to them.< Pam and I look forward to returning to Boston soon. We have brothers and sisters who share our heart to reach the lost. I pray you have the privilege of meeting them sometime soon as well.

15 Jun

June 15, 2008 |

Last Sunday I spoke in Guelph, Ontario, at Parkwood Gardens UB church. Brian Magnus, the pastor, introduced me.

I told the congregation it was great to be back among Canadians, who don’t ask me where I’m from. In the United States, people hear my accent and ask me if I’m from Canada. “It’s nice to fit back in,” I said.

Brian then commented, “You don’t sound like a Canadian anymore.”

I asked the congregation, “Do I sound like an American?”

Their heads went, “Yeah.”

I was crushed.

15 Jun

June 15, 2008 |

Scioto Youth camp kicks off today with senior high camp. The camp, located near Junction City, Ohio, is a free summer camp for children of all ages. It is operated and maintained primarily by dedicated volunteers from UB churches in southern Ohio.

There are four weeks of summer camp this year, ending with Primary Camp July 13-19. Finances are tighter, now that they no longer receive $10,000 a year from the conference.

The land was donated by Rev. and Mrs. Herbert Householder, with the intention that it always be free for any kid wanting to attend. That vision remains alive. Many kids over the years have found Christ at Scioto.

14 Jun

June 14, 2008 |

Huntington University’s summer “Godspell” troupe kicked off their summer tour with a performance in Huntington on June 8. People around the Healthy Ministry Office gave it rave reviews, noting especially the strength of the vocals. The group is headed east this weekend, with a performance tonight at Atlantic Avenue UB church in Franklin, Pa., and then at Salem UB in Chambersburg, Pa., on Sunday (both at 7 p.m.). Check the schedule for a performance near you.

13 Jun

June 13, 2008 |

The neighborhood surrounding Parkwood Gardens UB church in Guelph, Ontario, looks like the United Nations, with people from all over the world. Guelph is becoming a bedroom community of Toronto, which is exploding with its international presence. This is reflected in the congregation.

Last Sunday, when I spoke at Parkwood Gardens, I told about my trip to the Philippines in May. I commented on how Filipinos are some of the friendliest people in the world and that I enjoyed getting to know them.

I noticed big smiles on the faces of people among the Asian contingent. “Are you from the Philippines?” I asked. “Oh yes yes,” they said. Probably 25-30 Filipinos attended the two services that morning.

I challenged the congregation to keep their eyes and ears open to the immigrant populations around them. Sometimes mission fields are not developed by parachuting a missionary into a foreign country, but by starting something locally among immigrants. This can open doors for missionaries and, in some cases, the immigrants themselves may return to their homeland.

13 Jun

June 13, 2008 |

This is the last Friday, for a while, that the Healthy Ministry Resources office will be open. For the rest of the summer, we’re going to a four-day schedule, with ten-hour days. 

Hours: 7 a.m. — 5:30 p.m., Monday – Thursday
Dates: June 16 — August 29

We traditionally leave at 1 p.m. on Fridays during the summer, tacking an extra half-hour onto each other day. But with gas prices so high, it didn’t make sense asking half of our workers, who drive 20-40 miles one-way, to come to the office for a half-day of work. So we’ll see if we can put up with each other for ten hours at a shot.