MARCH 2010 NEWSLETTER ARTICLE
Virginia
Some of you have been hearing a lot about this and may be wondering what in the world is going on here. Back in my January newsletter article I talked about an opportunity not just for me but for Salem. June 23 – July 1 Connie and I will be participating in what is called a Summer Collegium at Virginia Theological Seminary. Below is a brief description of this event:
The Summer Collegium is a nine-day intensive residential program, ecumenical in scope, for clergy in mid-career serving small congregations (average worship attendance 100 or fewer). Each summer the Collegium serves 25 pastors (along with their spouses or partners), addressing the specific needs of clergy and clergy households committed to small-church ministry.
One thing I need to clear up (because I have been hearing some false information floating around out there) before I go any further is this: Through a generous grant from the Lilly Foundation ALL expenses are paid (i.e travel, lodging, meals, supplies…AND this includes pulpit supply). No money will come out of our pockets or mine, for me and Connie to participate in this collegium. I know it sounds too good to be true, but this is a project to support small congregations. Please talk to me if you have any questions or concerns.
The focus of this collegium is leadership in small congregations. Small congregations have much to offer. They have unique qualities, gifts and strengths that can not be found in large congregations. Often times people get stuck in the mind set that “bigger is better”. Well…that is not always the case. Bigger can be good, but in the case of some congregations bigger may not be better. It doesn’t mean we just sit back and not do ministry and share the Gospel, it’s just that we focus on our strengths and do them well. This collegium will help me become a better pastor and leader. This collegium will also help Salem become a stronger, small congregation. This event is not just for me and Connie…but it is for you as well.
If you would like to be part of the preparation for this event please let me know. There is already a team of people in place that have volunteered to work with me to get ready but the more the merrier. But whether you are actively involved with this group or not, I ask you to pray. There is a lot of homework for me to do and I will need your support. If you want to learn more about this collegium here is a web site for you to visit: www.vts.edu Once there go to the right side of the screen under “Resources” and click “Continuing Education”. On the next screen go to the left side and click “Summer Collegium”. Once there you can download a brochure and learn what Connie and I will be doing. If you don’t have Internet access contact the church office and we will print a brochure off for you. I will do the best I can to keep you in the loop so check back here each month and keep an eye on the council minutes. I am super excited about this and I look forward to seeing what this experience will do for us and our ministry. Praise be to God!
Scripture to ponder – Romans 10:8-13
But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
God’s grace is immense. God’s grace is wide. God’s grace sees YOU as a child of God. I love the fact that, in Christ, there are no divisions or classes or nationalities, etc. In Christ we are equally accepted and loved. What a great and glorious thing that is. Think about that…you are included in God’s grace. What does that mean for you? Ponder that and give thanks. Praise be to God!
Thought of the month
“Smile – it makes people wonder what you are up to.J”
Pastor Eric
