The World's Okayest Pastor

I learned many things while I was in seminary. I learned things from books, my professors and teachers, classmates. I learned a lot about my self during the process. Some of it was easy, others were very painful. I came away with a lot of knowledge. However as I have lived into this thing called ministry I have a list of things I wish I had been told, taught. So here is what I have learned and lived into so maybe it'll help others. Plus some of it is just plain funny how I learned these things. Laws and Rules- Although many churches are exempt from certain things, they are still called to follow many laws and rules. One of the main ones that comes up often is copyright laws and rules. Churches are notorious  for being communities of paper. We make a lot of copies of things and hand them out: bulletins, newsletters, inserts, etc. And while this isn't all bad to give people something to read and to take home it brings up the question of what are congregations legally allowed t...

CADCA (Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America) held its annual Forum in Washington DC February 2-5. Every year coalitions from all 50 states and several US territories come together to share their ideas, stories, petition Congress for continued support and to learn about the changing trends on the topics of substance abuse. I was very fortunate that I was able to attend this year. My focus was on prescription and OTC (over-the-counter) drug abuse, especially with youth. I attended many workshops on the issue and all of the attendees heard from the current and past drug czars. While illegal drugs, alcohol, and tobacco use are still very much an issue, prescription and OTC drug use is on the rise. Why? Because the ease of availability. Think about your own home for a moment - where do you keep your bottle of pain reliever? Do you have cold/cough/flu medications in your home? Where do you keep your medications? Are they locked up? I know the answer in my home and many others i...

Solomon Prays for Wisdom: What do we want? [i] Using Children’s Worship and Wonder format open with: ·          Welcoming the children ·          Explain the space ·          Sing “Father we Adore You” and “Be Still and Know” Story [ii] Solomon was the son of king David. He took over the thrown once David died. Solomon was a good man. He tried his best to follow the 10 best ways to live. One night, in a dream, God spoke to Solomon. God asked Solomon what he would like because Solomon had been so good and was living the best life he could. Solomon thought about it and said that he wanted God to help him know right from wrong. He wanted God to help him lead God’s people. Solomon could have asked for money, clothes, and many other things. But instead he asked for the right things and God was very pleased. God was so pleased that he not only gave Solomon the ab...

The Beatitudes: Beatitude Kiosk [i] Using Children’s Worship and Wonder format open with: ·          Welcoming the children ·          Explain the space ·          Sing “Father we Adore You” and “Be Still and Know” Story [ii] One time, Jesus was teaching. There were so many people that he went up on a mountain. Jesus began to teach them, by saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” “Blessed are those who mourn.” “Blessed are the meek.” “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst.” “Blessed are the merciful.” “Blessed are the pure in heart.” “Blessed are the peacemakers.” “Blessed are those who are persecuted.” “Blessed are you when people revile and persecute you.” These teachings are called the Beatitudes. Wondering Questions ·          I wonder what it was like to teach so many people? ·    ...

The Writing on the Wall: God’s Power [i] Using Children’s Worship and Wonder format open with: ·          Welcoming the children ·          Explain the space ·          Sing “Father we Adore You” and “Be Still and Know” Story [ii] Once there was a king named Belshazzar. He threw a party, at this palace. The people who he ruled over did not follow the 10 Best Ways to Live. Belshazzar’s father had taken items from God’s temple, in Jerusalem . Belshazzar decided that the gold and silver cups should be used, at his party. So all of the people there started to drink from the temple’s cups. All of the sudden a hand appeared and started writing on the wall “Mene, Mene, Tekal, Parsin!” None of the king’s wise men or advisors knew what it meant. The king called in Daniel. He translated the words for the king. Mene: God has numbered your kingdom and finished it. T...

Jesus Appears to Seven Disciples: Gone Fishing [i] Using Children’s Worship and Wonder format open with: ·          Welcoming the children ·          Explain the space ·          Sing “Father we Adore You” and “Be Still and Know” Story [ii] Seven of Jesus’ disciples were gathered by the sea. They decided to go fishing, so that night they went out in their boat and cast their nets. All night the seven cast their nets yet the caught nothing. In the morning, a man was standing on the shoreline. He called to the Disciples, “Do you have any food?” “No,” the seven replied. The man replied “Cast your nets on the other side of your boat.” The seven did so and the net was filled with fish. So many fish filled the net, that they could not bring the net back onto the boat. Then the seven realized who the man was. It was Jesus. Simon Peter jumped into the water and swa...

Hagar and Ishmael: Lost in the Desert [i] Using Children’s Worship and Wonder format open with: ·          Welcoming the children ·          Explain the space ·          Sing “Father we Adore You” and “Be Still and Know” Story [ii] Once Abraham and his wife Sarah had a woman who worked for them named Hagar. Because Sarah and Abraham could not have a child, Hagar had a child for them. His name was Ishmael. After some time Sarah had her own child. Sarah was jealous of Ishmael and had Abraham send Hagar and Ishmael away. Abraham did not want to do it, but the next day he got up early, gathered some bread and water and woke Hagar and Ishmael. Abraham told them that they had to leave. Hagar and Ishmael started walking in the desert of Beersheba . Soon Hagar and Ishmael’s bread and water was gone. Hagar put Ishmael under a palm tree and turned away from him...

Elisha: A Mantle of Faith [1] Using Children’s Worship and Wonder format open with: ·          Welcoming the children ·          Explaining the space ·          Singing “Father we Adore You” and “Be Still and Know” Story [2] Once there was, a man named Elijah. He was a very old prophet. When it was about his time to go up to heaven, his successor, Elisha, went with him on a journey. Both men knew that soon Elijah would be gone. They walked through Jericho and Jordan . Finally, they crossed over the river Jordan . Elijah asked if there was anything that, he could do for Elisha. He asked for twice as much spirit that Elijah had. Just than an angel of the Lord came on a chariot and took Elijah up to heaven. Elisha was so moved that he tore off his mantle, outer coat. Then he picked up Elijah’s mantle and put it on. When people saw Elisha with Elijah’s mantle,...

Deborah: The Palm Tree [i] Using the Children’s Worship and Wonder format open with: ·          Welcoming the children ·          Explaining the space ·          Singing “Father, We Adore You” and “Be Still and Know” Story [ii] Once there was a woman named Deborah. She lived out in the desert. She was a very wise woman. She talked with and listened carefully to God. She spent most of her time sitting under a palm tree, in the desert, so she could listen and talk with God. People came to her for advice. They would tell her their problems. Deborah would go and talk and listen to God and then come back and tell people what God had said. She was a very special woman and many people asked her for advice, even kings. Wonder Questions ·          I wonder what it was like to live in the desert? ·     ...

David and Jonathan: Friendship [i] Using Children’s Worship and Wonder format open with: ·          Welcoming the children ·          Explain the space ·          Sing “Father we Adore You” and “Be Still and Know” Story [ii] David and Jonathan were two very good friends. They were said to be of the same soul because they were such good friends. David sent Jonathan out to different places. Jonathan went and did what he was told. Both men followed the 10 best ways to live. David even gave Jonathan a special coat to wear so people would know that he was with God. The people knew that Jonathan was a special person who loved God. The people did what Jonathan asked. Wonder Questions: ·          I wonder what it’s like to have a good friend? ·          I wonder what it was like to ...

Balaam’s Donkey and the Angel [i] Using Children’s Worship and Wonder format open with: ·          Welcoming the children ·          Explaining the space ·          Singing “Father we Adore You” and “Be Still and Know” Story [ii] Once there was a man named Balaam. Balaam worked for a bad king named Balak and God was angry with Balaam. One day, Balak sent men to bring Balaam to his palace to work for him. The next day Balaam got up, saddled his donkey and started on his trip to the palace. On the way there, God sent an angel of the Lord to talk to Balaam but Balaam did not see. Balaam’s donkey saw the angel of the Lord and turned off, into a field. Balaam got upset with the donkey and took it back to the road. A little further down the road the angel of the Lord appeared again. Balaam still did not see the angel, but the donkey did and the donkey again ...