A Pastor’s Perspective I’m really excited about the Lenten season this year. One reason is that Lent means that Spring is on its way, and while I enjoy many things about winter, I’m ready for it to be over. I’ll bet you are, too. The season of Lent is upon us and warmer weather is
Read More“Roses are red, violets are blue . . .” are the words that begin a variety of love poems. I’m reminded of them as we approach the celebration of Valentine’s Day, a time of expressing our romantic impulses to those we love. Flowers and cards will be sent, chocolates and jewelry given. Restaurants will be
Read MoreAs the time gets closer to the upcoming Leadership Conference on Saturday, Feb. 1, I am spending time preparing for my presentation. The topic concerns church culture and why it is important to understand it. This is something that I’ve studied closely now for four decades, and yet, I still find myself feeling at a
Read MoreOne of the benefits of belonging to a denomination like ours is the friendships and cooperation that exists with other congregations. It helps us to remember that we are not in this alone. We have partners in ministry throughout the country and the world. I’m sure most of you are aware that we have three
Read MoreMerry Christmas! By the time you read this, Christmas will be but a few days off. Just a few more days to shop, wrap gifts, bake cookies, prepare a Christmas dinner and all the rest of the things we do this time of year. Some will be traveling to see family and friends. Others will
Read MoreAs I sit writing this article it occurred to me that there are but three weeks until Christmas. My how time flies! It seems like only yesterday that it was summer. What happened to Fall? Still, as I look around, I can see that it’s definitely Christmas time. The church is now decorated. Christmas trees
Read MoreThanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. Maybe that’s because it is a time of feasting and that I like to eat. I love the delicious food that we serve up in abundance during this holiday; the turkey, dressing, cranberry sauce along with all the other dishes that go along with it. I also like
Read MoreThe gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to
Read MoreA question I’m asked frequently is, “What does an Interim Minister do?” Great question! Sometimes I wonder about that, too. This is my sixth intentional interim ministry and I am still trying to come up with a good answer. The reason is that each congregation is unique and the need changes from church to church.
Read MoreSaying “so long” is a part of these lives we live. Each and every one of us has, at some point in our lives, experienced “so long” moments. I have been fortunate to serve as pastor here at LOCC for almost 7 years. During that time, we have worshiped, worked, laughed, cried, taught, learned and
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