An Update On Word of Life Presbyterian

Dear Members and Friends of Word of Life,

 

One of our elders recently proclaimed “God is going to do amazing things through Word of Life in 2009!” These words ring true with our hopes and prayers for the future. We are pleased to update you on the relocation of our facility as well as the Session’s vision for our future.

 

The past fifteen months have been a long and arduous journey. During it we have searched and begun to identify who we are as a church and the community in which we are called to serve. Our relocation committee spent many hours in prayer and discernment on what God has called us to be. We examined many different models in which to do and be church. The last three months has led us to our current location and style of ministry.

 

In November 2008, we relocated our worship facility to the Boys and Girls Club of Oxnard (1900 W. Fifth St., Oxnard). For this to be successful we needed a large amount of commitment from our members, and we have been surprised by the effort that our members put in every week. It is amazing how we have been able to change a gymnasium and classroom to a worship center in the matter of a couple of hours. Our first Sunday saw support from other local Presbyterian churches in which we are grateful. This new location has found us bringing in visitors from the local area and a excitement has grown.

 

A couple of weeks ago we signed a lease for office space that is located in downtown Oxnard (300 W. Fifth St., Oxnard). While we were originally looking for simply space to have weekly meetings and to do basic church operations, a new vision arose. That vision is for this space to be more than simply an office, but to develop a community center with this space. We have received donations of used computers to develop a computer lab in order to provide access to job searching, training on word processing, and aiding in resume writing. Others are beginning to offer their time in developing a tutoring service to those in the community. Our Deacons are developing resources to provide canned food and clothes (especially appropriate clothing for interviews) to those that need it.

 

We are excited about the direction that God has led us and remain attentive to the call that God has on our church. As we are in the midst of this exciting move we ask that you continue to pray for us as we reach continue to reach out to the community. Our Session and Pastoral staff invite you to join us for worship or a tour of our new facility. It would be our pleasure to further share with you what God is doing in Oxnard.

 

Blessings

A New Look at Evangelism

I am just finishing up an independent study class on the issues of technology and the future of the church. It has been a fascinating subject as I have been reading some books that have started to reshape the way that the church needs to look at itself. First off, it has nothing to do with service style but a realistic examination of how technology impacts how we do things. The books that I have read were Wired Church 2.0, Groundswell, They Like Jesus But Not the Church, The Great Emergence, and Branding Faith. Through these books I have been working on a final paper and after some conversations of this some thoughts have begun to be put together.

The first question is: How do people find a church today? Often the question is answered by that the majority has been invited by a friend. While that is still a major influence, how are other ways that people end up at the doorsteps of the church? Direct mailings or mass flyers often produce the 1-3% return rate. Recently my church sent out 10,000 mailers to the community and the return rate was less than 50 people. That is less than 1%, that is if my math is working correctly.

With the rise of technology we need to look to see what our Internet presence is. If someone new came to your community how would they stumble across your church? An Internet presence is if you were to search “church, Presbyterian, or anything else related to your church” what are are search results? Very few people are looking churches in the yellow pages anymore. In searching myself or “Sean Chow” in google my own presence was in the top ten. It brought back my myspace, blog, facebook, and my association with the Presbyterian Church. While I did the same in searching my home church there was very little to find us. Other ways people are looking through a variety of rating systems online such as Yelp and others. 

People in the community today have a much better understanding of the churches they visit. No longer do we need to “act” a certain way, for those that come to visit already know who and what we are. This is through the research that they have done through our website, blogs, ratings/ reviews, You Tube, and hundreds of other ways through the Internet. People are coming to see if we are authentic. Are we the same people that we project online or are we different. After reading my blog, potential new community members know what type of person that I am and are looking to see if that is actually me or simply a persona. While this has the potential to turn people off (knowing who I really am) it also projects a sense of authenticity.

As I have been struggling to create an online presence for our church, my wheels have begun to spin as we look to what evangelism is in this new culture. Today’s evangelism is not your old fashioned evangelism anymore, technology has changed everything.

Rev Reaper

Thanks to some of my wonderful friends I have been dubbed “Rev Reaper”. While this is not a title that I have been seeking, it is one that has put my last couple of months in perspective. Among the final hurdles toward ordination is serving in two distinct internships. The first one was done last year as I served as an intern/ staff member at Word of Life (my home church). The second one is being done at a local hospital. I am to serve a predetermined amount of hours serving as a chaplain intern in the chaplain services department. 

While I am among the few non-catholics here it is a very interesting experience to say the least. For the first several weeks I shadowed staff members as they worked on a variety of spiritual and medical needs for patients. They are to do some medical documentation such as Do Not Resuscitate orders, Power of Attorneys, and such. Then I was to go on my own and make rounds on certain floors meeting patients and assessing their needs. A couple of weeks ago I wa to do a verbatium in which you critique a conversation with a patient. The staff members then look into the conversation and see where there are weaknesses and how one could do better. It was the staff’s assessment that I could do better in the area of grief and death. I know this goes back to some of my own issues from the past that I have looked at several times but have been unable to really come to grips with it. With that being said I was to be purposely put into circumstances in which I could deal with this issue.

In the following weeks I did encounter death in many different circumstances. After a particularly long day I was debriefing with several of my friends that had another that was in the hospital. I offered to go visit that friend but was told that I was the “Rev Reaper” and was the last person anyone wanted to see in any hospital. While it made light of the place that I am, I still ponder what needs to happen or is something going to click in which I suddenly can come to grips with issues of death. We shall see.

Prepare…

It has been an interesting week to say the least. Spent the better part of the last week in Sterling,VA (which is just over the border from Washington D.C). I flew out on the dime of the Presbyterian Church, which in itself if a pretty cool thing. I was accepted into the PCUSA New Church Development Pastor’s Discernment Conference. In essence it was a group of twenty of us that were trying to figure out our goals and direction in life. Many there were looking to see where God was to call them in the direction of their ministry. Were we called to do new churches or simply to do ministry in a new way in the contexts where we were serving. To get into this was told to us was competitive. What that actually means is unsure. Were there thousands that wanted a free weekend? I seriously doubt that was the case but who knows beyond the leadership team? All I know is that everything was paid for which was a bonus. Of course I probably would have gone even if I paid for it. All I know is that I came back more than a few pounds heavier thanks to JP’s Deli.

I was put into a small group with two other people. One was from Virginia and another from Indianapolis. It was very interesting to hear their stories about where God is leading them in their journeys. While we all had different stories and backgrounds, their was one common thread. That was that the church needs something new, and we did not know quite what that was going to be. Our small group spent a enormous amount of time together in the 48 hour period that the conference lasted. From Thursday noon to Saturday noon almost all of our time was discussing what did God have in store for us. For some the answer was obvious in others the process of discerening had started but nothing had come clear yet. We were asked questions that we were to ponder through the time that helped us explore and realize what was out there for us. The initial question embodied everything: Who is Jesus?  That first question represents everything that we believe in. If we think that Jesus is a community organizer or savior of the world. The way that we view that essential tenant is how we respond and lead to what we are called to. Made me think and it hurts when I do that.

Me, being a cocky guy sometimes, thought that I knew what I wanted to do. That was to be a New Church guy. Entering the room on the first morning I was surrounded by a bunch of ordained minister and here I was a very little fish in the big pond. As the pastors around me were working on discerning their own situations, I thought that it was all done for me. Boy was I wrong. Through this I realized what was missing in my whole process. That being the impact on my family, etc. Sure I was (and still am) willing to be in great locals such as: Hawaii, California, Fiji, or on Carnival Cruise Lines, but what about other places and contexts? Before this weekend I was steadfast in saying “no”. The more time that I spent on that question, the more a word came to me. That is to “prepare”. Not in the sense that I need to get an emergency kit together with water and everything, but to get all my family, church, and personal affairs together. This weekend made me understand that I can reside in areas other than the ones that I am accustomed to.  

There is so much that is still floating in my head and it will be interesting what happens when that becomes clear. All I know that it has been a long day flying from the east coast home. Time for bed.

PCUSA Pensions are secure

I am spending the weekend here in Sterling, VA at a New Church Pastors Discernment Conference with the PCUSA. More to come on this later…. At dinner tonight I was checking my email when I get this email, that caused not only me but the pastors around me to laugh:

“PC(USA) Pensions Are Secure

You’re receiving this email because of your relationship with The Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Please confirm your continued interest in receiving email from us. 
You may unsubscribe if you no longer wish to receive our emails.

Dear Plan Members:
 
The Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is aware that there may be some concerns about the state of the Balanced Investment Portfolio given the current market conditions. The Board would like to reassure its members that pension benefits are secure. Robert W. Maggs, Jr., President and Chief Executive, has issued the following statement:
 
“The Board of Pensions Balanced Investment Portfolio experienced a negative 15.3% return for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. Investment markets continue to decline in an unprecedented global credit crisis. The Balanced Investment Portfolio is well diversified. While short-term performance is disappointing, we believe that prudent diversification will enable us to meet our long-term return expectations. Pension benefits are secure and our retirees and Plan members can expect to see their pension checks on the first of each month, just as they have in past months and years.”
 
This message has been sent to all active and retired Plan members who have an email address on file with us.
 
For additional information, please visit Pensions.org to review the statement issued by Rob Maggs on September 16, 2008. ”
 

After more than a few of us have been worried about the stock market, it did not really trickle down to us at the conference. Well, maybe, but was not a major focus. I pictured in my head all the phone calls the Board of Pensions probably have gotten. This matches an email I got earlier in the day that was from my Credit Union that pretty much said the same thing. Silly question: Didn’t IndyMac and Wamu issue similar letters before they were taken over by the government.

And this is a good reason that I have really not started my 503b account (non-profit version of a 401k). I do have some but not much… sorry creditors!

Awkward

Last month I received a phone call from my dad. Usually when he calls, I know I did something wrong. It must be a link back to my childhood. Yes, I did get into a fair share of trouble as a kid. Mostly because of school and well lack of doing anything when I was there. Anywho… my dad explains to me that since my dad and uncle are going to be in Europe for most of September they would like to transfer the power of attorney over my grandmother to us siblings. In siblings, it is me and my brother. Kirsten got left out of all the fun, but she always has.

I don’t know why this is so weird and awkward to me. Serving in a church I have been involved in life and death situations before, as well being in hospital rooms as doctors explain prognosis’s to people. Why is it so different when it is family? As I spent time pondering this, it is vastly different than being involved in a ministry. When I serve as a Pastor or a confidant, I ultimately do not make the decisions. While I may pray, annoint with oil, and be a presence I am emotionally detached. This is not to say that I do not care about what is happening, but it is not my loved one.

While I may be over three hundred and fifty miles from the situation it still weighs on my mind, if the time comes how will I react? Will it be as a person that is emotionally involved or slightly detached as I have learned from years in the ministry? Which leads me to an underlying question, can we simply put on and take off ministerial hats? While I hope all that I am in whatever facet is the same person, emotions can override all that. If the situation becomes highly emotionally charged, coming the correct consensus is often difficult no matter ones background.

Just a rambling thought of a guy wasting time waiting for a public hearing to be done at City Hall for our permit issues for Word of Life.

Answers FINALLY!!!

For the past several years I have been struggling with health issues. I think I have more than my own share of issues, but one problem has been a thorn in my side. For the past several years I have been having an increased problem walking. To the point that last year I spent a month on the floor (literally) and a couple more on crutches. While I did get better at my video game skills, this was something that was hard for me. I use to be a relatively active person. I played tennis in high school and then tournament paintball for a several more. Lately it seems that there always seems to be something wrong with my feet.

The last couple of years I was told that my problem was that I have gout. Which in itself is not bad, except for the treatment of such. Suffice it to say it is a nasty mix of prescriptions that take care of the problem. You know that it is bad when the prescription tells you to take on pill an hour until “pain subsides or abdominal discomfort”. I have yet to take the meds where the pain went away, and I tried it more than a few times.

That leads me to the Great Jolly Jumper Accident of ‘07 (that is what my wife calls it). Apparently I had a severe sprain after jumping in the Jolly Jump at my daughter’s birthday with ten guys and gals that are at least 25 years old. With that I spent time on crutches, wheelchair, crawling, and even got a handicapped placard. I went to Physical Therapy where they told me I had some pretty bad problems with my feet and ankles that needed to be taken care of.

After a year of searching for an answer, I think that I finally got one. I have been diagnosed with Osteoarthritisin my left foot and toes. It is not repairable and can only be managed. Great you are saying, but I am excited to actually know what is going on with my foot. The coming weeks will see a beginning of cocktails of vitamins and arthritis medication. Next week I am getting fitted with a brace that 80 year olds swear by, at least that what I was told. All in all, I am should be able to manage the pain and get back to a regular life. As for running and competing, that is highly doubtful. I may be able to do some things but we shall see. 

The doctor believes that is is related to some trauma on the foot that I had. I was asked to trace it back to the beginning of the recurrances. It arose during my time playing paintball in some rocky and loose soiled fields every weekend. Oh well.

What to do?

In the past couple of weeks I have watched as the impact of the General Assembly decisions start to hit close to home. This has come up in conversations that I did not expect them to come up in, and each startled me. First off from the people that it came from and the reaction of these individuals. I admit I have been having trouble coming to terms of the entirety of what is going on. Through my own discerning process, some of the issues I have come to my own decision. But it is not only me, a candidate for ministry and a leader in my local church that is debating the issues from the previous General Assembly. Our own Presbytery early this year formed a Task Force to deal with some of these issues both theologically and its impact within our Presbytery. At the next Presbytery meeting we will be setting some time aside to discuss this. Our Session last night and in prior meetings have discussed what the implications meant to us as a whole. It seems that the denomination is getting riled up. In some ways I am excited that no longer is there a “them” and “us”, that some meaningful dialogue may take place.

What i am most grateful for is the Jack Haber the editor of the Presbyterian Outlook has put together a group of editorials to each group. I found them fascinating.

Open Letter to my Conservative-Evangelical Friends

Open Letter to my Liberal- Progressive Friends

Open Letter to my Centrist- Ecclesiast Friends

Broken Computer

I know all of you are riveted on my thoughts and endless ramblings. My power cord on my laptop is tweaked and no longer can power my battery. With that I am relegated to sharing a computer with my wife (Facebook addict) and my two girls. With thatI have been not spending time updating my blog. Hopefully the power cord will be swapped out by Fry’s on saturday. Toodles…..

My Family is Pretty Cool… Imagine that

Being a family member of one that serves a church can be quite a difficult thing. For instance the cut short vacations when there is an murder in the local middle school or the times when special dates get cut off (at the ice cream shop… oops I have a Deacons meeting fifteen minutes ago) or the constant state of being distracted. Yup that is the life of a family of one that is in the ministry. One thing that I swear to myself is that I pray that my kids do not grow up hating the church, due to my responsibility to it. I can honestly say that the past couple of years and specifically the past six months have been rough on the family. I have been charged with moving the congregation to a new facility, starting new ministries, training others, General Assembly, Presbytery commitments, and somehow took an intensive on Hebrew. Somewhere in the midst of that my family laid. I am sure more than a few times they got the short end of the stick or that I was not home to tuck them in. While I have worked hard at being there for them in different ways, I am sure that it was not the same.

This past weekend we were in Truckee for a wedding that I was doing for a family member. I had just finished my Hebrew final the week before, was in finishing studying for the Ordination Examinations, and trying to get the papers and permits necessary to move the church. While it seemed that everything fell apart around me, I had more than a few moments of the weekend, about how cool my family was. While I was hobbling around, I managed to get Jenn and the girls off to a stable where they went on a trail ride. Considering it was my girls first time on a horse, they were a bit scared. As we raced back to the resort where the wedding was going to be performed I was amazed by something…. the smell on them. Wow horses can smell. Besides that was the giddy look on their face. During the reception in which I raced to change out of my dress shoes (they hurt) I spent an hour dancing with my clan. It was pretty cool dancing with Hunter, Jenn, and Lauren to Vanilla Ice’s “Ice, Ice, Baby”. That night as the girls were getting ready to go to sleep the words of one of my mentors from long ago rang about the priorities in life… Personal Relationship With God, Family, THEN Ministry. Far too often that order gets messed up and needs to be re-prioritized. They are more important to me than my ministry and I sometimes forget that.