FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK
January 2009
Simply put, have a wonderful new year!
October 2007
CONGRATULATIONS, GRACE!
According to Angella Felder, Executive Director of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of the United Methodist Church, $4.6 million was awarded in scholarships and loans to nearly 3000 students. Approximately 400 were seminarians enrolled in schools of theology. Through "Apportionment giving" our 400/plus congregations in the Nebraska Annual Conference gave $51,091.00. Congratulations Grace for being good and faithful stewards by paying 100% of our Annual Conference Apportionments. As you can see, Stewardship really matters.
YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT
I've heard this saying "You are what you eat" quite a bit. I'm sure you have too. Its one of those sayings that makes you stop and think,… what am I putting into my body? Another common phrase I've heard, "Garbage-In, Garbage-out." In my coaching days this was translated: "If you put garbage in your brain, garbage will come out," in your conversati9on, attitude, habits and behaviors, also know as STINKIN-THININ.
I've always been amazed at Mr. Tom Osborne, how he would take small-town football players from Eight-Man, Class C and D level schools and put a Division 1 Nebraska Football uniform on them and compete against the nations top football programs, and win! What a genius! What a thinker! What a motivator! Obviously, Mr. Osborne as well as the athletes he recruited believed in Proverbs 23:7 "As a man thinketh in his heart, so he is." They may have come from a small town, but there was nothing small-townish about their attitude, goals, dreams, ability to focus and their level of play and concentration on the football field. Every Saturday at Memorial Coliseum, we saw the successful and bold application of solid Biblical Principals at work. Way to go Tom. We're still impressed.
There is an amazing correlation between small-towns and small churches, and why they remain so. It's called The Small Dynamic. To thinks small, walk small, talk small, dream small, believe small, plan small, pray small, sing small, worship small, praise small, hope small and live small. This dynamic prohibits any small-town student or athlete to participate in major college academics and sports. This mind-set that puts the church At-Risk, also places a low ceiling and narrow boundaries upon parishioners that paralyzes, suffocates and shackles their possibilities and potentials. This is why small churches stay small. The Small Dynamic, prevents the small church from participating in the joy and dynamics of "church growth" because the people have a history of thinking small. They will maintain a membership of 50 to 60 members for five to six generations or more. You are what you eat, especially if you serv3e the same meal Sunday after Sunday for 50 years.
You are WHAT you eat, spiritually. You are WHAT you think spiritually. You are exactly what you believe you are. Grace, IO want you to chew on and eat Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." I also want you to eat and digest Matthew 19:26 "With God All things are possible." And finally, I want you to marinate and deposit in the basement of your soul John 14:14 "Ask anything in my name and I will do it." This is how Osborne achieved National Football Championships with Eight-Man and Class C and D players.
As faithful Stewards, I encourage you to BRING A FRIEND TO CHURCH. We have been commissioned by God to "go and Make Disciples," Matthew 28:19. When God's People are "Making Disciples" there is no place or room for The Small Dynamic in His Kingdom. "Think BIG!"
-Pastor Reynolds
September 2007
Greetings, everyone, in the name of Christ. Summer will soon be coming to an end, as we have already begun praying for teachers, parents and students returning to school. Let us also remember to pray for our soldiers, world leaders, care givers, those in hospice care and our homebound members.
Words cannot express how deeply I appreciate your prayers, cards and support during my recent surgery. Though minor in comparison to other more complicated surgeries, considerable healing is still required. While in the hospital, may father told me that he could lay hands on me and heal my torn tendon, but he wouldn't because I w3ould go right back to running again! Like many thousands of baby boomers and active Americans, I not only love to exercise, but I am driven to achieve, compete and excel. Thank you for you prayers.
I am also thankful for our guest speakers: Wayne Reynolds II, Rev. Roger Casteel, Dr. Larry Andrews, Deanna Holland and Dr. Everett Reynolds, who have been an inspiration and a blessing. I am excited to return to Grace pulpit this September and the joy of preaching. We will resume following the United Methodist lectionary.
On Sunday, October 21st at 4:00 p.m. we will be joined by the Clair United Methodist church fro Omaha and their choir, and the Greater Faith Missionary Baptist church choir from Kansas City, Kansas along with their Pastor, the Rev. Robert L. Milan, Jr., who will be the afternoon speaker for my 30th Pastor's Anniversary celebration. What a great day this will be as friends and guests from near and far will come and share.
Meanwhile, your continued prayers for a speedy recovery are still needed. This is about a 10-week process and I hope to be without crutches in mid-September. Enjoy reading this issue of Crossroads. Look forward to seeing you in church on Sunday. Don't forget: BRING A FRIEND!
Pastor Reynolds
AUGUST 2007
Greetings to all in the name of Jesus Christ. There are so many things at Grace to celebrate and be thankful for! Vacation Bible School has been a blast this year; the church grounds are a place of beauty; the Praise Team is growing and making an incredible and joyful noise for the Lord; the new choir robes have arrived and they are beautiful! Our worship and fellowship is always uplifting and inspiring. Grace continues to be a place of love and hope. But the full list of Grace's joys exceeds an hour's conversation and this newsletter space.
If you really want to help Grace experience her greatest joy in 30 years, you can bless this "once-upon-a-time 1,000 --member church" (1973) to be a vibrant congregation of 250 souls in the next 12 months. Seventy (70) new souls would give us 250 members -- that's 5.8 new members per month between now and July 2008.
During the months of August, September and October, I am asking each member and regular visitor to bring at least ONE FRIEND to church. It should not surprise you that restoration is God's primary focus for mankind. It is also ours, above and beyond our mission statement. We are "called" to go and make disciples (Matt. 28:19).
Restoration is what the blood at Calvary is all about. Christ died that we sinners could be restored. Certainly, this congregation understands the broad and far-reaching significance of doubling and tripling our flock.
This is more than church growth. All rolled up into one -- this is "Evangelism" (sharing the word of God), this is "Outreach" (bringing in others to minister to), and this is a "Call to Discipleship" (bringing souls to Christ). Bringing souls to Christ is the greatest thing you can do for Grace and others over the next three months. This is a pro-active, intentional and aggressive measure towards improving this community and the restoration of one of this annual conference's top flag ships: Grace United Methodist Church.
The vision in heaven is simple. Over the next three months, God wants to see this church grow both physically and spiritually. Every Sunday during the invitation to Christian discipleship, the doors of the church will be opened for as many as 5 to 10 persons to come to Christ and JOIN Grace. You will be bragging on Jesus. Telling them that the best way to start out their week will be worshipping at Grace.
"For God hath not given us a spirit of fear" (II Tim. 1:7) "but of power, and of love and of a sound mind." Members and friends of Grace are called to be bold (Phil. 1:14) and to share the Gospel without fear.
The evil boldness of 9/11, Columbine and Virginia Tech is an outcry that something is wrong. Let us not respond to this social cancer with timidity and passiveness. Begin making your bold invitations now, that our church be filled to capacity.
If America can build more high schools, Walmarts and prisons, surely we can add 5 to 10 souls to our membership per month. Invite cards are available in the narthex. Bring One!
God Bless,
Pastor Reynolds
July 2007
Front Yard -- Back Yard: Imagine the wonderful and infinitely wise mind of God. Now, imagine God in 1886 gifting a group of Christians a warm and loving church, which one day would be located in the middle of a billion dollar construction project. Now stop imagining. On June 24, 2007, you won't want to miss the presentation given at the 10:30 a.m. worship service. This presentation will detail how Grace is sitting in the middle of a billion dollar future! Make sure you're here on the 24th to get the exciting full story on what's happening in our front and back yards!
A Goal-Oriented Church and Denomination: People who are serious about success, the future, and performing at their best set goals. The United Methodist church is serious about success, the future and performing at her best. By mandate of the Nebraska Annual conference and under the excellent direction of our Futuring Committee, Grace is putting together a comprehensive Discipleship Plan. This Plan will be presented at our Annual Church Conference meeting in approximately six months. The Plan will cover all the "Six Signs of Discipleship," giving us the blueprints of how we will reach some of our goals. One such goal, identified by our Witness/Worship Committee, is a gain of 50 new members per year for the next three years. Amen! I want to thank all of the Chairs and Committee members for helping Grace put together our Plan of Discipleship that will serve as the rudder for this mighty ship. Because of you, Grace is a more vibrant and viable congregation!
Bring One: As illuminated by our Finance team at the May AD Counsil meeting, the fund from which we have borrowed from ourselves to provide the Pastor's compensation package is nearing its limit. In 2005, the church voted to use this fund for a period of three years. That period comes to a close in 2008. In order to avoid using this fund, our weekly offering (giving) needs to be &3,000; otherwise, the fund will eventually run out. Prior to borrowing from the fund, Grace shared a pastor with Faith United Methodist Church. Now is the time to do our outreach, evangelize, share and spread the Gospel, grow in Christ, and BRING ONE! I am thankful that as more souls come to Grace and our giving increases, we will be showered by an abundance of blessings!
God bless you,
Pastor Reynolds
May 2007 Newsletter
Greetings, members and friends of Grace.
April worship at Grace was awesome! God has been visiting our gathering with the anointing and wonderful moments of inspiration through our prayers, hymn singing, preaching, music ministry and the aid of our new screen and Power Point projector. Somebody say "Amen"!
Bishop Sherer met with district pastors and SPPRC members on Sunday April 15 at Christ UMC. Following are some key points made by the Bishop during the meeting:
* We need more people (from every age group) in our churches.
* We need worship services that people do not want to miss.
* We need worship services that make people's hearing aids scream!
* We will send hospice care pastors to hospice care churches.
* We need after school programs.
* Each pastor will present all the new names added to their church this year.
* Don't say "We never did it that way before."
* There are some harsh realities that we need to face.
* You're either growing or declining. There is no status quo.
* Choosing not to change is choosing to die.
Bring one! "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." I want to encourage you to bring just ONE soul to Christ this year. AS Grace grows the Kingdom of God, blessings from heaven come with each new soul we win to Christ.
And finally, in the spirit and power of prayer, I think of the 15 million young women and men who attend our nation's colleges and universities. These young people, along with their professors, are our brothers and sisters. Let us each take a moment to remember those who recently lost their lives at Virginia Tech University. Let us pray for strength, peace, safety and healing.
God bless,
Pastor Reynolds
April News Letter
Pastor's Special "Must-Read" Easter Message
Greetings to all, in the name of the Risen Christ! This special "Must-Read" Easter Message comes to you live from the Headquarters of Love -- The CHURCH! It's been about two thousand years now since Jesus was resurrected. The word is pretty much out now that this wonderful event took place. It's been re-told thousands of times by people around the world. What makes this a "Must-Read" Easter Message is my surprise announcement. You'll want to read each word very carefully, so as to not miss the beauty of this message.
I'll start off with what Bishop John R. Schol said (who I met in the elevator in Cleveland last month). Bishop Schol writes: "Be adventurous, cause some disruption, be spiritual, be focused and be persistent." Next is a word about the Rock/La Roca United Methodist Church in Lexington, Kentucky. At Rock/La Roca they have French-speaking refuges from the Congo, Hispanic/Latinos, Anglo/White and African Americans all worshiping together. Isn't that great?!
Native American Ministries Sunday (one of six Special Sunday Offerings in the United Methodist Church) is officially slated for April 22nd. This day celebrates the contributions of Native Americans to our society and to the United Methodist Church. Offerings develop and strengthen Native American ministries within the conferences, provide scholarships for Native American students attending seminary and expand the Native American Urban Initiative. Isn't that great?!
Eighteen months later the United Methodist Committee On Relief (UMCOR) is still engaged in recovery and clean-up after Katrina. In association with Nothing But Nets, NBA Cares, United Nations Foundation, Sports Illustrated, the Measles Initiative and VH-1, our General Commission on Communication is providing bed nets to fight malaria, a leading killer of children in Africa. A donation of $10.00 covers the cost of buying and distributing one insecticide treated bed net, which can protect a family of four from malaria-carrying mosquitoes for up to four years. Isn't that great?! Contact www.umc.org or call (888) 346-3862 or www.NothingButNets.net to know more.
Did you know that the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry collects phone cards for Military Personnel and sends them to chaplains for distribution in Kuwait and other places? Isn't that great?! The United Methodist endorsing agency may be reached at umea@gbhem.org or (615) 340-7411 or you can send phone cards and donations to UMEA, P.O. Box 340007, Nashville, TN, 37203-0007. For tips how to support military personnel and their families visit www.americansupportsyou.mil.
What does all this have to do with Easter and my surprise announcement? Well, I can re-tell the Easter Story (which I love doing with great passion) or I can share with you how the Resurrected Jesus is working through the people of the United Methodist Church to resurrect faith, hope, love, community, unity and peace. I'm rather proud and excited about what United Methodism is doing around the world, and thought you might like to know the outcome and impact of the Resurrection two thousand years later. Now comes my special surprise "Must Read" Easter Message announcement: You'll have to stay tuned to catch it in the May newsletter. Not enough space!
HAPPY EASTER
Dr. Reynolds
March 2007 CROSSROADS
My father's uncle, Rev. Dr. A. L. Reynolds, Jr. (1905-1990) placed the following document in my hands over thirty years ago. May his gift to me be a special Lent Reflection for you.
"From a Friend"
Dear Friend,
How are you? I just had to send a note to tell you how much I care about you. I saw you yesterday as you were talking with your friends. I waited all day hoping you would want to talk with me too. I gave you a sunset to close your day and a cool breeze to rest you, and I waited. You never came. It hurt me but I still love you because I am your Friend.
I saw you sleeping last night and longed to touch your brow, so I spilled moonlight upon your face. Again I waited, wanted to rush down so we could talk. I have so many gifts for you! You awoke and rushed off to work. My tears were in the rain.
If you would only listen to me! I try to tell you in blue skies and in the quiet green grass. I whisper it inn the leaves on the trees and breathe it in colors of flowers, shout it to you in the mountain streams, give the birds love songs to sing. I clothe you with warm sunshine and perfume the air with nature scents. My love for you is deeper than the ocean, and bigger than the biggest need in your heart!
Ask me! Talk with me! Please don't forget me. I have so much to share with you! I won't hassle you any further. It is YOUR decision. I have chosen you and I will wait -- because I love you.
Your friend,
Jesus
May your Lenten Season be filled with many Christ-centered reflections.
- Dr. Reynolds
January 2007
The Discipleship Plan
In concert with the General Board of Discipleship and in unison with the Nebraska Annual Conference, Grace's primary ministry focus for 2007 will be developing and implementing a Discipleship Plan. This will be accomplished through our Futuring Committee that will oversee the operation and coordination of this plan, which is called "The Six Signs of Discipleship." Each church committee and member will be asked to help build and develop our congregation in the following areas:
1. Radical hospitality -- Welcoming, warm and inviting worship.
2. Heartwarming worship -- Culturally relevant, theologically sound and life-transforming.
3. Risk-taking mission and justice ministries -- Local and global social justice ministries.
4. Systematic faith development -- Growing intellectually, emotionally, spiritually, physically and relationally so we can assist in the discipling of others.
5. Gracious generosity (stewardship) -- Increase the giving of everyday member at Grace.
6. Connectional joy and commitment -- Connectional joy is our deep sense of connectedness with others in our church, community, conference and world. Increase our networking/participation in local, district, conference, jurisdictional and general conference mission, ministry and legislation.
The Nebraska Annual Conference has set a goal to increase the current average Sunday morning worship attendance from 36,000 to 50,000 and the average Sunday School attendance from 13,000 to 25,000 by 2016. There are currently 85,000 United Methodists in Nebraska. Grace's Futuring Committee will set our own attendance goals to reach by 2016.
Ideas, comments and suggestions are needed for Grace's Global Ministries. Submit your ideas during the month of January in the suggestion box in the narthex.
Anyone wishing to be a part of Grace's Futuring Committee is welcomed. The Committee is scheduled to meet on the fourth Thursday of the month at 6:30 pm.
I reflect upon 2006 with unparalleled joy and great inspiration. It is a joy and inspiration that is filled with an endless spiritual momentum. Maybe a better word would be motivation, or better yet, a fire -- prompting me to move with a lot of energy and enthusiasm as your Pastor. I therefore stand committed with deep passion and the love of Christ to lead Grace through 2007 with Boldness, Optimism, and Love.
May God, throughout this new year, pour out showers of blessings upon us as we engage in ministries that challenge, heal, encourage, strengthen and inspire. It is an honor and a pleasure to be your Pastor.
-Dr. Reynolds
Our Core Values
The following is taken from the May/June 2006 issue (Volume 43, Number 3) of the "Nebraska Messenger," a publication of the Nebraska Conference of the United Methodist Church.
CORE VALUES -- THE CONTEXT
Core values are the bedrock of our beliefs as United Methodist Christians in Nebraska -- the basics to which all of us can say "yes." Inside our church circles they may appear ordinary and routine. However, when placed in the context of the culture in which we live, with its divisions between people, its focus on wealth and power, and its fascination with consumerism and self-promotion, these are radical ideas and call for urgent.
Stating our core values reminds us we are to be fundamentally transformed and transforming. We are disciples living out these values as servant leaders to make an immediate difference in Nebraska and in the world.
We believe that God, through Jesus Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit, offers grace and salvation to all persons. Central to our beliefs are the following core values.
OUR CORE VALUES
We value every person. Every person is of sacred worth, created and made in the image of God.
We value the centrality of faith in Jesus Christ, the true Son of God, sent to bring redemption and salvation to the world.
We value ministry in all parts of our conference -- rural and urban. We value the heritage and potential of small membership churches.
RAIN
One rainy afternon I was driving along one of the main streets of town, taking those extra precautions necessary when the roads are wet and slick.
Suddenly, my daughter, Aspen, spoke up from her relaxed position in her seat. "Dad, I'm thinking of something."
This announcement usually meant she had been pondering some fact for a while, and was now ready to expound all that her six-year-old mind had discovered. I was eager to hear.
"What are you thinking?" I asked.
"The rain," she began, "is like sin, and the windshield wipers are like God wiping our sins away."
After the chill bumps reaced up my arms, I was able to respond. "That's really good, Aspen."
Then I became curious as to how far my little girl would take this revelation. So I asked, "Do you notice how the rain keeps on coming? What does that tell you?"
Aspen didn't hesitate one moment with her answer: "We keep sinning, and God just keeps on forgiving us."
I will always remember this whenever I turn my wipers on.
The Church's Primary Calling
Mission Statement: TO SHARE GOD'S LOVE WITH ALL PEOPLE AT ALL TIMES!
Visionary and developing churches understand their church's primary calling: TO BE THE BODY OF CHRIST IN THE WORLD BY:
*sharing the faith,
*receiving people as they are and relating them to the faith,
*developing people in the faith, and
*sending people to live the faith.
How churches carry out these four tasks vary, depending on how they see their church's current reality and the perceived needs of the congregation and neighborhood. As churches carry out these four tasks, they have a general understanding of some things that need to occur to be effective.
1. Reaching out and Sharing the faith involves activities in which the church and its individual members invite others to be a part of the community of faith. It includes, but is not limited to, ministries of evangelism, hospitality, music, and communication.
2. Reaching people as they are and relating them to the faith involves activities in which the church helps people make the decision to be followers of Christ and become members of the community of faith. It includes such things as, ministries of confirmation, new church membership classes/orientation, worship, and baptism.
3. Developing people in the faith involves activities that deepen and strengthen one's conviction for daily living and mission. This includes the educational/equipping ministries of church school, Bible study, Vacation Bible School, leadership development, and study groups.
4. Sending people to live the faith involves Christians living in and serving the community so that God is praised and God's reign is experienced. Such ministries includes ministries of community economic development, health and healing ministries, outreach programs, community organizing, and volunteerism.
As the body of Christ, the church is called to engage in each of these activities. It is not enough to be involved in two or three, but churches are called to be involved in all four areas.
It is essential for today's congregataion to engage in the church's primary calling with a commitment to work multiculturally, minister in the midst of the poor, work toward the eradication of racism, and include the community in the life of the church. The church cannot fulfill God's calling if it does not make this commitment.