When it's not the big stuff, it's the little stuff

There are a lot of big things involved in moving to a new city and a new job. However, once all the big stuff is out of the way, you realize how much little stuff there is still left to do. There are all the people and companies that still don't have the new address, there is the really important piece of paper that isn't in the box you were sure it was in, there's a new driver's license to get. I just realized that the weblog profile still had me living and working in Corpus Christi.

No worries though. As I remember, this process only lasts about... three years.

peace,

will

Some First Thoughts

As I mentioned in my last post, the first time leading worship in a new place with new people can be a bit intimidating. I was actually surprised how comfortable I was this morning. I think it was the attention to detail that at first impressed me but then gave me the confidence to be comfortable. I arrived at 6:30 this morning. I am used to being at church at that time, but usually that meant that I was opening the doors and turning on the lights. The U was already alive and ready to go. I found I didn't have a whole lot to do besides prepare myself. I had a little help with that as well with someone ready to pray with Charles and me before worship began.

I was in sanctuary worship this morning. The grandeur of sanctuary worship is awe inspiring. It is not just the architecture. I have been in buildings as impressive. It it the way that the building, the furnishing and the people work together. From the hand embroidered kneeling rails to the story-telling stained glass, from the soul-shaking organ to the beautiful choral celebration of the choir, the place was alive with excellence.

I have heard people downplay this level of worship claiming that worship is not supposed to be to be a performance. While it is true that worship does not need to be this complex to honor God, it is also true that God deserves our very best. We should never strive for excellence in other areas of our lives while allowing our worship of the creator of the universe to be mediocre. I also believe that excellent worship can help to bring people into relationship with Christ. What we are commanded to share as Christians is serious business. When we invite people to our church, we are inviting them to accept a life-changing invitation. When we show them that we are serious enough to offer God our very best, it sends a message that this is as important to us as we proclaim.

More soon but overall, first day: pretty cool!

peace,

will

Here we go!

I only have a moment, but I wanted to post on my first Sunday here at the U. The first Sunday at a new place is a really strange thing. While I will be leading parts of worship, I probably know less about what is supposed to be going on than most of the people in the room. Today I am assisting in traditional worship which also means I will be a radically different space than I am used to. Grace had a pretty small, informal space. I will be up front in a giant sanctuary this morning with overwhelming stained glass, a balcony, and marble flooring on the chancel. The space is intimidating enough without all the people!

peace,

will

Moving on toward... unpacking

I think if anyone remembered exactly how hard moving is, people would stop moving. Unpacking is a fairly simple yet strenuous thing until you reach a certain tipping point. There comes a moment when you can't unpack any more boxes because they are in they way of the thing that you need to set up before you unpack them.

And then there is the problem of that thing you really need that is most likely in the box that is at the bottom of the largest pile of boxes. However, when you get to that bottom box, you realize that the item is actually in the box that was on top and is not at the very bottom of the new pile you just formed.

peace,

will

Not Quite

I didn't quite finish the series "The Monumental Journey Towards Ordination" before ordination. On Saturday, Ryan and I were ordained, finishing another stage of our journey to be faithful disciples. You will notice, I never like to use "finish" in a any form without modifying it. We may have completed this part of our journey, but we are far from done.

I hope to complete my series on what led to my ordination. I am hopeful, but I also know how busy life will be once I get to San Antonio. I will be there soon. I am sitting this morning in the midst of stacks of boxes awaiting the arrival of the movers. We hope to be loaded today and unload tomorrow in our new home. Moving is quite a journey on its own.

peace,

will

Greetings from Annual Conference

It is good this morning to finally sit with delegation from The U and to worship with them in the midst of the entire conference. I will try to send updates as the conference progresses. peace, will

The Monument Journey Towards Ordination - Volume 10

I am really getting down to the wire to finish this project. Today, I am to be voted on by the full clergy session of the Southwest Texas Conference. All ordained elders will be eligible to vote later this afternoon on whether to elect me to “full connection.” If they do, I will be ordained on Saturday. Since I come before the group with a unanimous recommendation from the Board of Ordained Ministry, this is sort of a formality, but it still raises a tiny bit of anxiety. This is the very, very, very last vote in a seven (plus) year process.

But back to the unfolding drama. I enrolled at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, where they gave me a full scholarship and a really, really cheap apartment. About that time, there were some staff changes at Oak Hill UMC. I spoke a couple times to Rev. Barbara Ruth, then the senior pastor there and she offered me a part time position as Adult Ministries Coordinator. It paid just enough that Alisha and I would be able to get by.

And then, I was back to the process (which was supposed to be what this was about.) At this point, I had been a United Methodist long enough to continue. I was assigned a Clergy Mentor, Rev. Dick West, at the time, Senior Pastor of Covenant UMC in Austin. I was given a giant binder to work through with him. We met once a month for more discernment, working toward my opportunity to sit in front of my church’s staff parish relations committee and the District Committee on Ordained Ministry. And that is where I will pick up next time!

peace,

will