A MODEL FOR MINISTRY

 

In her poem, “Come and See,” Marie Livingston Roy gives us a hint into the way to do ministry. 

 

When John’s disciples asked Jesus where he was staying, he invited them to come and see.  He could have given them the address and pointed out directions, but he chose to walk along with them.  If the interruption came at a bad time, or if he had more pressing business, Jesus certainly didn’t say so.  For the moment, those men were his most urgent concern.

 

Ministry is about helping people as they are searching, just as John’s disciples were searching, for that which gives meaning to life.  Too often, our way of ministry is to quickly try to give answers or point out the way people should do things.  Too often we find that the time is not right or that we’ve got more important things to do.  But Jesus gives us a better model. This model is to stop and offer his concern to those who have approached.  He takes the time to listen and then invites them into his world.

 

Roy states,

 

When we encounter Christ, we are received in much the same way.  He becomes our companion, walking by our side, showing us where to find him.  He has traveled that road many times.

 

Isn’t that what Emmanuel is all about – trying the way together?

 

As we go about our various ministries, let’s not forget the one who took and takes his time to “be with us” as he becomes our companion, walking with us and ministering through his example.

 

Let’s take the time to be with people and minister through our presence and our willingness to walk with them in their search for life’s meaning.

 

Maybe the question for each of us might be, “What would people see if we invited them to ‘Come and see’ our various ministries?”

 

Grace and peace,

 

Richard W. Edwards 

 

PRAYER CONCERNS

Sympathy

·         Joy Sparks and family on the death of her husband, Dr. William Sheral Sparks. Bill died June 15^th. Bill was a retired member of the Missouri Conference.

·         Rev. Joe Fly and family on the death of his brother, John Carl Henry. John died June 15^th. Joe is the pastor of Lubbock, Cooper UMC.

·         Rev. Eddie Allsup and family on the death of his brother, Rex Allsup. Rex died July 9^th. Services were held July 12^th at Gillespie Baptist Church. Eddie is a retired member of the conference.

·         The family of Marcella Patterson, surviving spouse of Rev. Roy Patterson. Marcella died July 16^th. Services were held July 21^st at Elmwood West in Abilene.

·         Rev. James Willborn and family on the death of his dad, N. B. Willborn. N. B. died July 21^st. Graveside services were held July 24^th at the Plainview Cemetery. James is a retired member of the conference.

·         Peggy Lindley and family on the death of her cousin.

Peggy is the wife of Rev. Al Lindley retired member of the conference.

Health

·         Rev. Darren Skinner, Pastor of FUMC Hereford

·         Marlene Terry, surviving spouse and her daughter, Jennifer Holly

·         Rev. Gene and Mary Louder, retired clergy and spouse

·         Rev. Larry Crumpton, retired clergy

·         Rev. Ernie McGaughey, retired clergy

·         Dr. Richard and Noreen Bales, retired clergy couple

·         Rev. Bruce Parks, retired clergy

·         Rev. William McReynolds, retired clergy

·         Rev. Alvin Petty, Pastor of Hart and Spade UMC’s

·         Rev. Lillith Ardhuerumly, retired clergy, as well as, her daughter, Namiqa, is the Big Spring District Superintendent.

·         Rev. Keifer Cauble, Pastor of Colorado City/Dorn Chapel and Lorene UMC’s

·         Rev. Wendell Ferguson, Pastor of Coahoma

·         Rev. Ava Berry, Conference Director of Mission and Administration

·         Patricia Holder, wife of Rev. Larry Holder, Pastor of Olton UMC

Concerns

·         President, Government Officials, Military Personnel and families

·         People affected by natural disasters in the United States and around the world.

 

RICHARD’S CALENDAR

August 1-9  Pastoral Ministry 101

August 12 – SetUp Mtg., FUMC Plainview

August 13 – SetUp Mtg., FUMC Dimmitt

August 14- SetUp Mtg., Asbury Lubbock

August 23 – Round Up, FUMC Lubbock

August 24-29 DS Orientation, Lake Junaluska

 

 

Richard’s Contact Information

Email:  redwards@lubdistumc.com

Cell: 806-939-2466

 

The District Office has a set of 4 - polished brass followers and draft protectors for use with 1 ½” diameter wax candles

 

Candle followers lengthen burn time and eliminate wax drippings.  The flowers fit on top of the candle and “follow” the candle as it burns down by holding a pool of melted liquid wax near the candle wick.

 

Draft protectors set on top of the followers and keep the wind from affecting the flam.

 

The set would work great for a church that has an advent wreath with 4 – 1 ½ “diameter candles or we could split the set up and provide two churches a set of 2 for altar candles”.

 

Please contact the District Office if you are interested in the followers and draft protectors.

 

COMMUNICATIONS GRANT AVAILABLE If your local church is interested in applying for a grant from the Conference Communications Task Force, click here http://www.nwtxconf.org/communicationsnews for the Application Form. Deadline is August 15.

 

Round-Up 2008 is scheduled for August 23^rd at FUMC in Lubbock. You will be able to register online at www.nwtxconf.org. Scholarships will be available through the district. The scholarship form must be sent in with your registration. Because we had a shortage of booklets, no booklets will be mailed to clergy! You can download the booklet and registration form at http://www.nwtxconf.org/Round_Up  Please mark your calendars and plan to attend.

 

FLOOD BUCKETS NEED IS URGENT
UMCOR Sager Brown Depot has nearly depleted its supply of flood buckets after shipping thousands of buckets in response to recent floods in the Midwest . Sager Brown has shipped more than 5,000 flood buckets to affected annual conferences that have experienced severe flooding. Just two weeks into the Atlantic hurricane season, the Depot is down to 200 buckets. Your help is needed to replenish its inventory.

 

You are encouraged to bring your flood bucket supplies to Roundup or to the Conference Office.

For a list of the supplies needed for flood buckets go to http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/getconnected/supplies/flood-bucket/

 

 

BISHOP’S VISIT 2008 – SEPTEMBER 6

At LakeRidge Methodist Ministry Center

 

The Bishop’s visit for 2008 will emphasize our responsibility as a church to be “bidding” for young people to consider God’s call to the ordained ministry of the church.  There will be a special emphasis on the role of lay and clergy leadership in this vital responsibility of the church.

 

We will meet on Saturday, September 6^th, from 1:00 pm until 4:00 pm in the Methodist Ministry Center of Lakeridge United Methodist Church, as Bishop D. Max Whitfield and Bishop Dan Solomon lead us in this important emphasis.

 

The Bishop has stated that every pastor of the District should be present, in addition to the Pastor; every church should send persons who are highly regarded by the youth and young people of the church.  We need at least one person who works directly with the youth.

 

Consecration Service

A Service Celebrating the Appointment of the new Lubbock District Superintendent, the new Director of Mission and Administration for the NWTX Conference and the new Conference Treasurer will be held Sunday, September 7^th, 6:00 pm at FUMC in Lubbock. All clergy and laity are invited to attend. A reception will follow the service.

 

Course of Study Formation Event, Sept. 2-9, at Mt. Sequoyah, Fayetteville AK, and is sponsored by the College of Bishops of the South Central Jurisdiction of the UMC.  Courses include United Methodist Doctrine and Polity or United Methodist History, which are 30 hr. courses with required reading prior to the start. Information can be obtained on www.MountSequoyah.com, email ssteuber@kswestumc.org or phone 316-686-0600. Ted Dotts from the NWTX Conference will be the instructor of the United Methodist Doctrine. 

 

Crown Financial Ministry

Life Group Leader Training with classes in English and Spanish will be held 9-3, September 13^th in Odessa. For registration or more information call 432-853-5028 or visit www.crown/events.org.

 

Volunteers in Mission Disaster Early Response Training, September 13^th, 9-3 at St. Paul’s in Abilene. The class will cover the purpose of the Early Response Team (ERT). Everyone is welcome to attend. Registration is $30.00 which includes lunch, t-shirt, ID badge and training manual. Contact persons are Susan Mouser at 325-672-7814 or email at smouser@stpaulabilene.org or Jimmy Swaim at 325-660-4013 or email at nwtx_vim@sbcglobal.net.

 

Lubbock District UMW Meeting will be September 13^th at FUMC in Shallowater.

 

NWTX Conference UMW Meeting will be held September 26-27 at St. Luke’s in Midland. Speakers will be Jan Reed, Toni Bailey and Kathryn Boren. For more information contact Brenda Breeden at 325-672-6985 or 325-793-3818.

 

VIM Celebration is October 11^th, 9-3:30 at FUMC in Lubbock. This is a time to celebrate the VIM work taking place throughout the conference.  VIM teams and partners are encouraged to set up a booth of their work.  There will be exciting speakers to share about the opportunities of VIM.  For more information you can contact Jimmy Swaim, NWTX VIM Coordinator, nwtx_vim@sbcglobal.net or 325-660-4013. Registration is $15.00.  You can find information on the conference website www.nwtxconf.org and search vim.