Wesleyan Stuff

Thoughts on a Variety of Topics

1. I wonder how a pro-life supporter can kill someone(in a church)in cold blood because that person is pro-choice.

2. I wonder how many pastors(youth pastors especially) we will see get “let go”, “fired”, “inner circle word for getting fired(copyright, Heath Mullikin 2008)” before the Wesleyan denomination steps in and adds some real job protections to the Discipline. How about when the youth pastor signs a yearly housing lease(because he’s asked to by the board) and shortly after is let go with a pricey out clause? In the corporate world, that’s a lawsuit waiting to happen. On the flip side, if the pastor jets in an untimely and unclassey way then he should be penalized like a college basketball coach. At some point, a DS should step in and say, “nope, you ain’t gonna do that to these good people. You’re taking a year off.”

3. I wonder if the John Wesley movie is going to be as bad as I think it is. I wonder if the 5’4″ Wesley appreciates being portrayed by a guy big enough to be an NFL TE(that’s Tight End for all you non-fantasy football players). I wonder if, as Wesleyans, we are obligated to promote a substandard product which may do more harm than good. Of course, the film may be great and I will see it regardless. I thought “Amazing Grace” was great. I just don’t see Mr. Calvin getting this kind of theatrical treatment. When I see the movie(can’t find the release date on www.comingsoon.net which isn’t a good sign) I will give it a fair review and probably take a bunch of people to see it with me. We may even rent out the whole theater. I’m sure Jam can get us a deal at Cinemark in Asheboro.

4. I wonder if TLC is “The Learning Channel” then what are they teaching us with season 5 of Jon and Kate(episode 2 is on as I type). Why would the couple or the network sign on for 40 episodes in the midst of the beginnings of the current scandal(oh wait, I just dropped a dollar, now where was I)? This season is going to be like Nascar-everyone is watching for the wrecks.

5. I wonder how I game I am so terrible at(golf) brings me so much joy? I will break 100 before year’s end. Just gotta get my arm fixed first. Is there such a thing as golfer’s elbow/forearm or that just called old man syndrome?

6. I wonder why I made my wife wait while I finished typing this. I’m an idiot.

Weekend Wrap Up

1. As a Trekkie, I loved the new Star Trek. I think it was a succesful relaunch of the series and we will probably see at least 2 more movies with this cast. Hopefully, one of them will involve Klingons.

2. FUEL was great. Matt Rhodes and Scott Simmons did a great job planning. Andy Roy leads worship in a way that puts all the emphasis on God and Josh LeRoy pulled no punches and was very transparent. Great to catch up with the SC crew. Last year, we had 170 at the one at HQ. This year there were close to 300 gathered at the 4 Area FUELS. Though I like the ones with everyone involved, it seems like we need to do what reaches the most people. Wherever and whatever we do, I will be there as Matt’s unofficial assistant and late night activities coordinator.

3. Gonna blog about the Epicenter in downtown Charlotte sometime this week. Somebody had a vision and has turned it into a fortune. I have never seen so many youth pastors get carded in my life, but it was for the bowling alley and movie theater. The night lifestyle costs a lot and not all of it is financial. For many of the people we encountered, their drunken state was the highlight of their day/week. We all agreed that if not for the grace of God, that’s where we would be too.

4. I have to have a hard conversation with someone this week. I could pass it off to someone else, but I feel like it’s my responsibility. It’s about Competence more than Character. They’re just not getting the job done. I will have to get “permission” to have this conversation, but it must be done.

5. Had an interesting experience at Mi Pueblo Mexican restaurant yesterday. Lousy service, but it was the best burrito I’ve ever eaten. Again, it deserves a full blog later this week.

6. Got to make some FHTM business calls this week.

7. I thought Annie Duke got robbed on the Celebrity Apprentice. Personally, Mr. Trump, I think the only role models you could find on this show were Clint Black and Herschel Walker. I don’t remember them cursing anyone or throwing anyone under the bus. Were Joan Rivers 30 years younger and pulling her act, she would’ve been fired much earlier. It was reverse ageism I think. She won because she was old. My son is older than her face though.

8. Red Sox got a big win against Tampa Bay last night. I just hope Pedroia’s injury isn’t that serious.

9. For some reason, my phone’s ear piece isn’t working and I can only hear calls on speaker phone. Also, my txt’s won’t go to Twitter anymore. Not a good thing to happen when you’re out of town.

I’m off to Denton Elementary for lunch with the girls. It’s pizza day!

Wednesday Already?(Almost)

Just been gmail chatting-is that what it’s called-with my boy Tim Kirkpatrick in Austrailia. I am excited for his adventure there and hope to partner with him for missions trips and the 2011 International Wesleyan Youth Convention. Lindsay Cameron, if you’re listening, consider this my nomination for Tim to be National Youth President. Here’s what is up:

1. Went to a FHTM event in Charlotte this weekend where the company founder spoke. Got a picture with him and he is a multi-millionaire who actually got my name right. It was an amazing experience. He kept saying that the business is not a sit on your fanny deal, but you have to work at it. The only difference is now you are working your own field instead of someone else’s. The best thing about this whole business thing has been reconnecting with my childhood buddy, Alan McAlister. If we could find our Rednecks in Florida video, we would be rich. The opening scence involved a newspaper, a bathroom, and bass tournament results.

2. Putting the finishing touches on my roundtable topic for FUEL in Charlotte this weekend. Get to hang with F. Matt Rhodes and other youth pastors from the south. Also gonna be working on some Love/Mercy stuff. As unofficial entertainment director, I have already procured our Thursday night activity and it’s a midnight showing of Star Trek. Best time ever was in Orlando in the church van singing the blues with B. Hill and Matty Lee. That was a great night and we met Domique Wilkens and Pervis Ellison. The best times are always unplanned.

3. Excited to start a new series at youth tomorrow night, “Life Between the Gutters.” Can I just say I was disappointed to find out that this two-handed bowler dude is not going granny style? He’s bowling regularly but with two hands. Bowl a perfect game granny style and then you can be on Sportscenter.

4. We have more than twice as many teens going to youth camp than we did last year! Still got a few to sign up so I’m hoping for at least 20.

5. My mission trip plans keep falling like flies. We are on Plan E right now.

6. Karen sold her first wedding coupon books today!

7. Hey, let’s try to spread out the Red Sox-Yankees games next year! They just played a series last week. Sorry Yankee Fans, but the new stadium will be your undoing. Ya’ll have as many empty seats as the Marlins(who have 25% the payroll but a much better record). ARod will return soon, but he will be the “butt” of jokes the rest of his career. Guess his passing Bonds won’t be so celebrated now will it? Come on, Pujois!

8. That’s it. 8 is my limit tonight. Ghosts of Girlfriends past is good. I cried. The last movie I didn’t cry at was Wolverine, but that doesn’t count. I’m actually crying now. There was a Kodak commercial.

Wesleyan thoughts for a Rainy Tuesday

As most of you know, I grew up in the Baptist church until my Senior year of college. I made the switch because in discovered I was more Arminian in theology than Calvinist and had experienced some rough pastoral changes in my teenage years. For me, the Wesleyan church was just a better fit. Also, when you see Asbury Seminary’s life size statue of John Wesley and realize we would have seen “eye to eye” then it’s a no-brainer for me. So, after 11 years in the denomination what have I learned?

1. We are small, tight knit(geographically) denomination. Sometimes I think we feel like we are the only denomination with struggling churches, older congregations and worship wars. I will never forget my first accountability group meeting at SWU. Two upperclassman were talking about graduates and where they were serving. This was the first time I heard about districts, DS’s, etc. and I was impressed at how they knew so many people in the denomination. Many times, Baptist churches can be islands and you aren’t aware of what’s going on at other churches. In the Wesleyan church, you can pretty much find out anything about any church especially in your district. Many districts have weekly, monthly, and seasonal newsletters that keep track of pastoral changes, growing ministries, changed lives, and stats. I think we always put the microscope on ourselves and our issues and problems seem larger than life because they’re OUR problems. Truth be told, every denomination has struggling churches, incompetent and shady ministers, church “bosses”, out of tune pianos and choirs, worship tension, and pew/bench warmers.

2. It’s quite possible that in 10 years we will have the same number of churches, but different ones. I have served in three districts now(NC East, South Carolina, and Penn-Jersey) and none of them were shy about closing ineffective churches and planting new ones. I hope I am wrong and we have 5 times the number of churches we have now and all of them are healthy and making a positive difference in the lives of their community.

3. Some the people I have respected the most have been pastors and some of the people I have respected the least have been pastors.

4. Many Senior Pastors who have staff members have no training in staff relationships, did not have a positive experience when they were a staff member, or they have never been a staff member or Sr. Pastor before. The Denomination, Districts, and Universities need to be proactive in this type of training.

5. Most pastors are solo and/or bi-vocational. For many of them, this is a rut they will never get out of. For others, it is a calling to minister in those situations. For the rest, it is a period they are in while the church is growing and they anxiously await the opportunity to be full-time at the church with some part-time help.

6. Many Wesleyan teens go to Wesleyan colleges and wind up leaving the Wesleyan church and even the church period. You better believe that I will help familes with graduating seniors find them a vibrant church near whatever college they are going to whether it’s Wesleyan or not. I regret not realizing the importance of parents not only taking college visits with their students, but also college church visits.

7. Everybody thinks their youth camp is the best.

8. No matter where you hold a Wesleyan Youth Convention people will complain about travel distance and expenses. Instead of a Perry Noble throat punch, youth pastors I hear complaining will be told to sell one of their five guitars and pay for a charter bus for their whole group. Youth pastors who don’t own a guitar can sell one of their computers/laptops/Macbooks. Or they can do concessions at college football games.

9. Who was more of a community organizer: John Wesley, Jesus, or Barack Obama?

10. Lock-ins are stupid no matter what denomination you’re a part of. Am I the only one who has noticed that no secular organization does lock-ins? People have lock-ins sometimes. They’re called house parties. For many, college is a very expensive 4 year lock-in. Who was the great church leader who first said,”Guys, I’ve got a great idea. Let’s have the kids stay up all night while eating pizza.” Where did this insane idea originate? But I know the kids love them so they will probably continue.

Love to everyone.