January, 2006

“A voice cries out in the wilderness...”

           Today’s semi-annual congregational meeting takes place on the Second Sunday in Advent, where in the appointed Scriptures for the day we hear this ancient prophecy of Isaiah echoed in the Gospel of Mark, as the past, present and future promises of God are focused on the person of Jesus Christ. If Advent is a time in the Church Year calendar when past, present and future all come into focus, so this congregational meeting, coming in December, is also a time for us to reflect on the past year, celebrate Resurrection’s present, and look ahead to what we hope to accomplish in ministry in 2006.

           Looking back at 2005, for this staff report I would like to simply highlight two experiences that significantly impacted our common ministry this year and will continue, I believe, to shape our ministry into the future. One is the Lilly Clergy Renewal Sabbatical Grant and the other is our transition to our new team ministry structure, approved at our last congregational meeting in June.

“...prepare the way of the Lord...”

           As I have reported in the Bell Ringer and in the 9:30 forums about this sabbatical experience, the Lilly program is not primarily designed for a pastor to be immersed in a study project, but rather to have a time and space apart to be renewed in spirit. Isaiah and John both remind us today of the necessity to constantly “prepare the way of the Lord” into one’s heart, and the same is true for pastors who can ironically let their own spiritual lives suffer as they busily go about the work of ministry. This sabbatical was a return to the critical importance of personal prayer, of a regular, disciplined quiet time of communion with God. I have learned – again – that to be a faithful and effective leader, I must be spiritually healthy myself. I am too busy not to pray! Our congregation’s commitment to discipleship starts with that same priority of personal prayer and quiet time to “prepare the way of the Lord.” Whether using the Daily Texts (soon to arrive for 2006) or other personal devotional aids, I encourage all of us to practice this mark of discipleship.

           Of course, the “study” aspect of the Lilly sabbatical, I believe, also had a significant impact on our congregational life. The Grant proposal was titled, “The Play’s the Thing: Theater and Film in the Service of the Gospel.” I wanted to read, learn, and experience the “best practices” of congregations that treasure the tradition of liturgical worship, yet are open to using new ways to effectively communicate the Gospel. In 2005 we were visited by the drama groups Soul Purpose and Friends of the Groom. Several disciples at Resurrection that have interest and talent in drama have acted in worship skits and tableaus and look to develop more of these experience for our worship life next year.

           We also held our first “Lenten Film Festival” after the Saturday evening worship services, showing movies that portrayed “images of Christ in contemporary cinema” and enjoyed stimulating conversation about those films. The grant, you may recall, provided us with the video screen and long-throw projector that we use not only for film clips, movies, or visual images, but also now for communication and education as well.

           In all of the reading and research I did, I was delighted to discover vast resources in the Christian community that engage popular culture with faithfulness and discernment. Like it or not, movies, the dramatic arts, and visual media are simply the common “mythos” and language of young people today. Resurrection now regularly uses these images as tools in our commitment to spiritually nurture and equip our disciples. We also encourage families and individuals to engage the culture with faithful discernment, and are providing tools such as the “movie ministry discussion cards” found in the narthex.

           I have commented elsewhere about deepest and most rewarding blessing of all in this grant was the incredible opportunity it availed me and my family to experience together. The sabbatical was an incredible gift of grace to my family. I know this blessing has renewed my passion to serve in ministry, as well as my appreciation and commitment to my family of faith here at Resurrection. Of course, that is one of the reasons for the policy in the first place – renewed and happy pastors tend to have longer and more effective stays in local congregations. Sabbaticals also provide congregations with regular opportunities to renew involvement and commitment to lay ministry, a healthy practice. I am delighted that both Resurrection and her pastors will experience this benefit well into the future, whether grant funds are awarded or not.

“...Every valley shall be lifted up

...and the rough places a plain...”

           2005 was also the year of our long-awaited change in ministry structure. Having adopted a new constitution and by-laws at our December congregational meeting last year, our June meeting this summer was the first to officially elect a Council under this new structure, and begin the transition to a team ministry model. In Pr. Mitch’s staff report on that day, he included an excellent summary of the process that led us to that meeting. Continuing in our congregation’s vision for discipleship, we had long been aware of some “rough” places where our traditional committee structure had unintentionally kept people from participating on the one hand, and on the other had the potential to “burn out” others. Using a “wagon-wheel” visual, Pr. Mitch also explained ministry teams, the chartering process to start them, and the roles of the Council and Steering Teams.

           A half-year later, I am glad to affirm the gifts and leadership of the Council elected at that June meeting: President Michael McCarty(1), Vice-President Wendy Messer(3), Secretary Scott Poore(1), Treasurer Gary Myers(2), Betty Hewitt(2), Jennifer Frahm(3), and Randy Shields(3). (term years). The new structure has allowed this group of leaders to attend to our congregation’s vision. Without the need to hear multiple reports and decide on day-to-day details, meetings have been marked by prayer and Bible study, and thoughtful conversation with long-term impact in mind. Yet the sharp talent and practical faithfulness of these leaders is also evident in today’s Ministry Resource Plan for 2006, showing both financial prudence and wisdom as well as the desire to shape everything we do with our mission in mind

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           Overseeing the managerial details in our new structure falls on the Steering Team, made up of myself, Pastor Mitch, Julie Peralta, Sherry Andersen, Byron Daugherty, and now our new Director of Business Affairs, Ed Kistler. Meeting monthly, the Steering Team has now received 18 charters of Ministry Teams at Resurrection, with several more in process. That is good news!

           As we move into 2006, we will be telling the stories of these ministry teams, as we are aware of the challenge to identify, recruit, and coach people at Resurrection who have gifts to lead other needed ministry teams but have not yet stepped forward. We always knew that the transition from theory to reality would have its share of bumps in the road, one of which is the remaining perception among some that there we still have appointed boards who are assigned certain tasks. We will be focusing in 2006 on helping people find their “match” as we continue to establish new ministry teams.

“...Then the glory of the Lord

shall be revealed,

and all the people see it together...”

           The prophet’s Advent hope is that God’s promised future will find ways of breaking into the present. As we move into 2006, I have great hopes for our vision of discipleship and the model of team ministry we have adopted to help us move toward this vision. I see the 18 new ministry teams operating in a creative freedom and self-sustaining energy that is wonderfully encouraging. Our own staff team, however, is a personal example of the promise of this model. While each of us bring unique gifts and skills to our work at RLC, and each have specific areas of focus, responsibility and accountability, it is a joy to experience our group collaboration, collective brainstorming, mutual support and shared delight in leading ministry together in this place. Not only did I know RLC was in “good hands” while I was away on sabbatical, our staff team made coming back to work something to truly look forward to. It is with that same enthusiasm and excitement that I look forward to new ministry with all of you in 2006.

Dec. 4 Congregation

Meeting Highlights

1.    There were 116 people in attendance (pretty good considering the weather!)

2.    Treasurer Gary Myers gave a financial report through October.

3.    There was considerable discussion about the proposal to be an internship site. Most comments were very favorable. Due to financial and time concerns, the Council recommended that we not be an internship site for 2006-2007, but we will revisit the idea a year from now.

4.    The Ministry Resource Plan was approved for 2006.

5.    Ed Kistler was introduced as our Director of Business Affairs, a new part-time staff position.

6.    Pastor Dave led us in thanking the many people who have served in our finance ministries over the years: Loren Hewitt, Kris Hornsby, Gary Myers, Rita Chambers, Joyce Tucker, David Strakis, and Mike Wise.

Congregation Meeting packets are available in the narthex.

       On Sunday, January 8 during the coffee hour Greatway Pizza Fund Raisers will be here to share pizza samples with us. The youth will be collecting pizza orders during the month of January; pizzas can be picked up on Super Bowl Sunday, February 5. The funds raised will go to support the youth throughout the year, including their trip to the National Youth Gathering in San Antonio, Texas. See you on January 8 to sample pizzas at 9:30am!

Devotion in Motion

Yoga Class

      Men and women aged 12-112 are welcome to begin this wonderful blend of exercise and meditation. You do not need to be in shape, be flexible, or have practiced yoga previously. Anyone can do this! Class will be taught by Chele Heid (865-9246 - questions welcomed) with dates and times to be determined once interest has been expressed.

       What a great way to start your New Year – caring for your body and remembering your spirit. Classes will start mid-January and be set up in 8 week series to progress through devotional themes. Cost per class – $8 member, $10 nonmember

The Directory is Here!

       A copy for each Resurrection Family has been placed in your mailbox in the narthex. We want to thank once again everyone who was involved in the directory project. With the finished product in hand, we want to especially thank Don Fisher for sharing his gifts in designing and executing the layout for the directory.

A Simple Choice

A Generous Choice

       Simply Giving is an automated giving program from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. It’s designed to help you conveniently, consistently and joyfully give financial gifts to our congregation’s ministry. By participating in Simply Giving, you can use electronic funds transfer to give your weekly, semi-monthly or monthly offering to our congregation.

       To learn how you can participate, contact Ed Kistler at RLC (881-8954) or Ed@RLCIndy.org. Let this help you build better stewardship by turning a simple choice into a generous response.