Exciting Times

It's true, these are exciting times.

I have spent so much time talking about the challenges of a church that is closing and merging with another, that I have failed to highlight some really cool things that are happening at the other church I serve and with my life in general.

At Edom UMC, the new year marked the beginning of a new leadership structure. This new structure has been designed to make decision making more efficient and to better support the missions and ministries of the church. There are challenges that will have to be faced and walked through as this is doing church like it has never been done before here at Edom UMC. I am really looking forward to less meetings, more efficient meetings, and some looking toward the future (proactivity vs. reactivity) that this new leadership structure will allow.

Along with the new leadership structure comes a slate of new folks involved with ministry. We have been extra intentional about the identifying and equipping of people the last couple of years and have chosen leaders based upon specific gifts and graces rather than just plugging people into slots on a list. Because of this, we are already bearing witness to what God is doing in this process. For example, the new Administrative team is already making progress in positioning the church for future growth and ministry. Likewise, numerous leaders are asking questions and making suggestions that have not surfaced in years past (more about this in later posts)...suffice it to say, the way we do ministry is changing. The head of our Christian Education team is already preparing to launch two new groups/studies this coming year that will reach people in places of their greatest needs (more about this in future posts as well). Our leadership development team is gearing up for their first gathering and I am simply stoked about the vision that the leader of this team brings to the table. These are indeed exciting times at Edom UMC.

Life in general is also exciting:

I am entering into my final semester of seminary and preparing to graduate in May.

I am in the final stages of work necessary to become a probationary member/commissioned elder in the United Methodist Church. I hope that this will culminate in commissioning at our Annual Conference in May.

Erica and I just celebrated 8 years together (7 year of marriage) and Bailey is now officially 17 moths old as of today.

We are excited at the possibilities of where we might be moved to this coming June...we can't wait to see what God has in store for us next on our journey.

I am probably about to have another church added to my charge, which opens up a whole other set of possibilities for mission and ministry while here in Edom.

Yes, these are exciting times.

So tell me (tell all of us here at Radically Altered), what's got you excited about this new year that is already underway?