Monday, January 25, 2010 5:45 A.M.
This blog marks the end of two old friends and hopefully the beginning of a new one. For 23 years I have written a monthly Pastor's Ponderings for our monthly newsletter. There you allowed me the joyous privilege of entering your homes once a month to visit about life, matters of faith and the Church. The newsletter ceased to be published last Fall and though it will in all likelihood be replaced in due time with some type of quarterly publication, Pastor's Ponderings will not be a featured article.
For 20 years, with the invaluable assistance of Jo Anne Linch and others, I have written and mailed an annual birthday letter to those who called St. Matthew home. This exercise started out as a one man protest against the innocuous birthday cards sent out by many businesses and churches to their constituents. Soon it became a meaningful way to affirm, comfort, express gratitude and value to you who allowed me to serve in some capacity as your pastor. It grew into a love affair that eventually became a monstrous undertaking as our congregation multiplied. I am extremely sad to discontinue this practice but it is very clear that the congregation wide annual birthday letter has run its course and it is time to explore other venues of communication.
I want you to never forget how much you are loved and valued, so I will still send mile marker birthday and anniversary letters as our records indicate and will be encouraging other staff and lay leaders to bless you as they can with their own written expressions.
It is my prayer that this blog will become a good friend to us both. Intimidating would be an understatement when I consider that the typed word on the web has an unlimited audience and will eternally record my stupidity and "uh ohs." At the same time it is exciting to expand our horizons and join the efforts of countless others who are doing Kingdom business through the miracle of the web.
I have not yet determined how often or when I will blog but I trust you will help me arrive at the perfect rhythm. I am excited about this new endeavor and though this blog format will not include a response format, I hope in some way you will let me know the value of this effort.
As you venture out into the world to fulfill your duties and pursue your dreams, I pray the character of God is revealed in and through everything you do.
Make It Stick!
This blog marks the end of two old friends and hopefully the beginning of a new one. For 23 years I have written a monthly Pastor's Ponderings for our monthly newsletter. There you allowed me the joyous privilege of entering your homes once a month to visit about life, matters of faith and the Church. The newsletter ceased to be published last Fall and though it will in all likelihood be replaced in due time with some type of quarterly publication, Pastor's Ponderings will not be a featured article.
For 20 years, with the invaluable assistance of Jo Anne Linch and others, I have written and mailed an annual birthday letter to those who called St. Matthew home. This exercise started out as a one man protest against the innocuous birthday cards sent out by many businesses and churches to their constituents. Soon it became a meaningful way to affirm, comfort, express gratitude and value to you who allowed me to serve in some capacity as your pastor. It grew into a love affair that eventually became a monstrous undertaking as our congregation multiplied. I am extremely sad to discontinue this practice but it is very clear that the congregation wide annual birthday letter has run its course and it is time to explore other venues of communication.
I want you to never forget how much you are loved and valued, so I will still send mile marker birthday and anniversary letters as our records indicate and will be encouraging other staff and lay leaders to bless you as they can with their own written expressions.
It is my prayer that this blog will become a good friend to us both. Intimidating would be an understatement when I consider that the typed word on the web has an unlimited audience and will eternally record my stupidity and "uh ohs." At the same time it is exciting to expand our horizons and join the efforts of countless others who are doing Kingdom business through the miracle of the web.
I have not yet determined how often or when I will blog but I trust you will help me arrive at the perfect rhythm. I am excited about this new endeavor and though this blog format will not include a response format, I hope in some way you will let me know the value of this effort.
As you venture out into the world to fulfill your duties and pursue your dreams, I pray the character of God is revealed in and through everything you do.
Make It Stick!
