Nonconformist Chronicles

Ready for Relaunch

I began this blog in 2006 with the original intent of posting at least weekly for the purposes of expanding my teaching ministry and learning from others who cared to exchange comments and ideas. The first year was very encouraging with many well received posts and a couple of fairly popular series. I've made some good friends through this endeavor, some of whom I've since met in person or spoken with by phone.   

The last couple of years have seen a decrease in my posts and in my readership. I've been removed from the sidebar of several bloggers, others admit to rarely or no longer checking in, and the number of hits and comments have slacked off considerably. My own lack of commitment can be blamed for this. So I've thought about giving up blogging altogether. In the near future I'll share some highlights (and low-lights) of the past two years that have kept me from the blog.  

But the random thoughts that I'd like to bounce off you are becoming more frequent again and I'm thinking my writer's block might be over. So today I intend to relaunch myself into the blogosphere. In celebration of this relaunch I've thought about redesigning the blog, kind of like when TV shows replace the theme song for a new season. But honestly, I like how the blog looks now. Blue is such a calming color and so easy on the eyes.

But I still want to do some things differently that might improve this blog. More frequent posts for sure. Possibly shorter posts. Maybe more of a balance between the popular level and more scholarly types of posts as opposed to getting bogged down in a long series on one theme for several months.

I don't blame those who might have given up on this blog, but I do appreciate those who've hung around: Lisa, Preacherman, Bobby, Frank, and others. Thank You! I have a variety of ideas in mind for the near future. I would love to hear any suggestions you might have for future posts. 

(Photo credit: NASA)

An Uncle Again and Blogging Again

Some of you may recall a prayer request I made several months ago. My sister and her husband were expecting their second child, twenty years after the birth of their first one. Their second one was a total surprise after having been told that they would never have children again.

Well, my niece, Emma, was born on December 7, 2007. Her mom turned 40 on the 24th, but this was not on her list of forty things to do before turning forty. In fact, some of those things have been postponed. While little Emma was being born, her sister, Amber, was taking a college final.

So thank you to everyone who prayed. Things went well and Emma is healthy and happy.

On another note, I appreciate all who read this and I apologize for not always responding to comments and for the long hiatuses between some posts over the last six or eight months. I'm still learning the ropes of a new ministry, new place, new everything. We're gaining on the transitional business, but don't quite have it all done yet. And now it's getting to be tax time. ARRGGGH! We also have some personal challenges that have been frustrating, but I'm optimistic.

So from here on I do intend to blog more. Can that be a New Year's resolution or with most people is blogging one of the addictions they want to cut back on? But here are some of my good intentions:

• Post at least once a week, if not more often
• Respond to comments more frequently
• Keep up with my reading of others' blogs and post occasional comments
• Intersperse some lighter and more personal posts with the other stuff

In addition to blogging, I hope to settle back into some other regimens now that the holidays are behind us and we've been in Ohio for six months. My reading has been very sporadic over the past year, so I hope to make it through more books in 2008. I usually try to balance my reading among topics that will help me to grow personally, professionally, and intellectually. I'll share what I'm currently reading in a near future post.

In congregational ministry, my mission for 2008 is to get connected, with the priority being connection with the congregation. Not that I haven't done any of that and I've done more than most of our members could know since no one sees me all the time. But in addition to my reading regimen, I'll be getting back to a visiting regime that kind of fell by the wayside over the holidays. Not many want visits between Thanksgiving and New Years. Since some are so busy, formal visits aren't always possible with everyone. So I'll have to be creative about how to connect with young and busy families.

But for the record, I am very happy to be in my current location. It has not been a disappointment by any means. This is a rare kind of loving and accepting congregation that few ministers (or members) ever manage to find. Gretchen and I were just talking today about what this congregation has to offer:

• When we come away from worship we feel like we've really worshiped enthusiastically as a body.
• We are confident that newcomers to this congregation will be accepted and not needlessly offended.
• We have no doubt that we are loved.

We are blessed.

A New Series

Well, here it is over a month since my last post. Since our thousand-mile move I've only posted three times. I never intended to be one of those guys who posted only sporadically with months of hiatus in-between. On the other hand, I want to write because I have something to say, not because I feel that I have to say something. Life is still busy, but we're finally gaining on the transitional business (although there is still more to go) and I'm beginning to learn the ropes of this new job and my way around the area. So back to blogging before everyone takes me off their blogroll or sidebar links.

I do find value in blogging. I've said before that it's a great way to keep up with friends, make new friends, expand one's teaching ministry, and learn from others. I feel a bit defensive when I hear people (usually in a condescending tone) say "Must be nice to have all that time to read and write blogs. Wish I had all that time to waste"--as if to imply that the person saying this is far superior in their use of time. But I can think of ways these folks don't exactly spend their time the way I would either. So there!

Anyway, this time I really intend to be back (I know. I've said that before). But I have a few ideas for posts and series of posts floating around in my head.

My days in full time ministry have so far consisted of two conservative/traditional congregations and two more progressive/non-traditional congregations. There is no question that the church has changed and is changing--in some ways for the better--but there remains wisdom in the old cautionary adage about not throwing the baby out with the bath water. So in the coming weeks I'll be offering some of my observations regarding "The Changing Values of the Church."

How do I perceive the church's values to be changing, or to have changed, in regard to attendance, scripture, preaching, or worship? I may even think of other categories or maybe there are some you'd like me to cover. The first installment should be posted within the next twenty-four hours. Stay tuned. This should be fun.

(Disclaimer: The church building pictured is NOT where I preach--just in case you were wondering.)            

Sidebar Update: Books, Blogs, and Bible

The sidebar is the blue column on the right side of this page with categorized links. Here are some comments regarding my sidebar content, including a few recent changes.

1) Books. Whenever I touch base with my preaching brothers, two questions are often exchanged: "What are you reading?" and "What are you preaching?" A blog gives its readers a look at what others are reading. I like to know what friends and others I respect are reading. I feel more connection with them if I know where their thoughts have been lately. It also helps me to fine tune my reading list with exposure to what is influencing the great minds.

2) Bible. You might have noticed a recent link I've added called "Texts I'm Studying." It is a link to Bible passages. The first passage will usually be what I'm preaching on next. Exodus 20 has been there for so long because I'm currently doing a series on the Ten Commandments. Some of that study is overflowing to this blog. I like knowing what my fellow preachers have preached so I can compare notes with the findings of their studies. Perhaps someone cares what I'm preaching as well.

Additional texts will be listed that I am studying for whatever reason. I am currently teaching a Sunday morning class on 1 Samuel.

3) Blogs. I have added some new names to my list of "Interesting People." These include Frank Bellizzi, Mike Cope, Matt Dabbs, Chris Gallagher, Brian Nicklaus, and Ben Witherington. These guys are all great thinkers whose blogs deserve a visit. The priority for my blog list are those which are theological in nature. Some of the names are people with whom I've had a personal connection. Some I've discovered either through the link on another's blog or because they commented on mine. My heart rejoices to see that some of my friends are exchanging thoughts because they've discovered one another on my blog. Who says technology makes us more impersonal? Not always.

4) Sermons Online. To this category I have added a link to Rick Atchley's sermons. He is one of the best preachers anywhere. If you haven't heard him, click on the link and listen to one of his audio sermons. You will be very glad you did and you'll want to do it again.

5) My Wishlist. This link takes you to books I intend to purchase over time unless someone gives them to me for Christmas. Books will be removed as they are purchased or acquired. I certainly didn't post this so my readers would buy me books. It's just another insight into who I am by seeing what I plan to read.

6) Book Lists. I'm excited about this new category (just below "Interesting people"). It's a list of books I've read and resources I've used. By clicking on "Books Read in 2006," you will see thumbnails and links to these books on Amazon as well as a short synopsis (a line or two) that I've written about each one. I would welcome your comments or questions regarding anything on this list. I love to talk books.

These book lists will be updated as I read more books. I intend to add other lists in the future including "New Testament Commentaries" and "Books for Christian Living." If there is a Book List you would like to see, I'll add it if I've read in that category.

7) Profile Page. The Book Lists can also be accessed by clicking on the "Your Profile" link at the top of my Amazon wishlist page. The profile page also lists my recent Amazon purchases and may later include some favorite music or movies (in case anybody cares).

(Photo courtesy AarinFreePhoto.com).

      

Why I Blog

The purpose of this blog is multi-faceted.

1) Blogs are a great way to stay connected. Since we have friends all over the country, it's impossible to stay in regular contact with everyone. Reading the blogs of others, I've kept up with what and how they're doing. I plan to occasionally have personal updates in addition to theological reflections and book reviews.

2) Blogs are a way to reconnect. Darin Hamm snuck out of Kansas when my back was turned, but I found him again through his blog.   

3) Blogs are a way to make new friends. I knew John Dobbs only through his blog before meeting him at Tulsa. I have since been introduced to Danny Dodd and Ben Overby by following links to their blogs when they left comments on mine.

4) The fellowship of preachers unites through blogging. Ministry can be a lonely vocation since preachers often work as a staff of one--or few. I had such a great time "talking shop" with my preaching brothers at this year's Tulsa Workshop that I didn't want the discussion to end, which is but one reason I started blogging.

5) Blogging is a way to expand my ministry. While there will be much here to interest preachers, I don't want to write exclusively for them. My prayer is that a broad range of people will find some bit of encouragement or edification in my musings. I know that people have read this blog in Kansas, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Wisconsin, Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi. Have I missed anyone?

6) Blogging is educational. I am always glad to receive bibliography from those whose perspectives I highly value. I used to pay a long distance fee to find out what my friends Jim Martin or Bobby Valentine were reading. Now I just look at their blog. Through blogs we discover many resources through sidebar links in addition to reading the posts.

7) Blogging provides a relatively safe forum for the voices of reform. Every generation should reexamine the lines between scripture and tradition and between the essential and the negotiable. Wesley, Luther, and Campbell would have used this technology if it had been available.

8) Blogging is interactive. Blogging allows me to run my ideas by the cyber community. Learning and spiritual growth are interactive and interpersonal. The feedback helps me to grow.

So what benefit have you found to either blogging or in reading the blogs of others?

(photo courtesy AarinFreePhoto.com)