Our Flu Precautions

By now everyone realizes that influenza is expected to be especially widespread this year, because of the H1N1 virus. Here is a summary of the common-sense precautions that we're taking at Fall Creek Wesleyan Church to give all of us more freedom to be together in worship.

1. If you are sick, please stay home. If you have flu symptoms such as a cough, fever, or sore throat, it might be best to stay home until you are well rather than risk infecting others. If you’re feeling OK, please be here!

2. Use good cough and sneeze etiquette. Make sure that your cough and sneeze are well covered to prevent spreading germs.

3. Wash your hands often. This will reduce the possibility of spreading germs. Hand sanitizers have been placed in various locations at church.

4. Handshakes and hugs are optional. We will continue to exchange greetings each week, but please don’t be offended if someone doesn’t want to shake hands or receive a hug. Find a method of greeting that doesn’t require touch.

5. Keep trusting God and loving one another. Let’s not allow some risks to prevent us from being together and enjoying worship. Now, as always, we trust God for our safety and security. Our lives (and our health) are in his hands.

Some of our ministries deal with a large number of children on a daily basis. Here's what we're doing in those ministries.

Kids Express Childcare and Preschool

As a state-registered childcare ministry, Kids Express already has a very strong written policy for dealing with illness. In addition to the normal precaution stated in the handbook, parents were informed in writing on Oct. 19 that children must be fever and symptom free without the aid of fever reduction medications for 24 hours in order to return to school.

The ROCK

The is our after-school substance abuse prevention program that is currently serving 90 middle school students. The ROCK is taking the following precautions, and parents were informed by letter on Oct. 8.

1. Parents who suspect that their children are ill are urged to keep them home.
2. Children who show symptoms of cold or flu will be segregated immediately and sent home. Parents will be contacted via phone asap.
3. Children will be instructed to take precautions of covering their mouths when coughing or sneezing.
4. Children will be instructed to avoid physical contact.
5. Children and staff will wash hands with hands upon arrival, before eating, and after using the restroom. There will also be hand sanitizer readily available.
6. Games will avoid physical contact and touching common items such as balls.

That's what we're doing to safeguard our ministries. What flu precautions is your church taking?

Continue Reading >

Why I'm Returning to the Pastorate

Yesterday I accepted the invitation from Fall Creek Wesleyan Church to become their senior pastor.

I’ve enjoyed the past eight years at Wesleyan Publishing House very much. I have a great job, and have seen lots of progress and plenty of opportunity. So why would I leave a secure and rewarding career (in this economy!) to return to what some have called the most demanding profession in the world?

I’ve got my reasons.

God Called

Is there a thing in our life you know you have to do? Preaching is that one thing for me. I was ordained for ministry in 1987 and served as a pastor for 13 years prior to my editorial career, which has been in church publishing. Most of my life has concerned the proclamation of the gospel. You can say it’s in my blood or that I’ve got the bug. I say God called me to preach.

They Asked

I don’t do everything people ask; but as a pastor, the affirmation of a local church is not merely a nice thing—it is an essential confirmation of the call I feel from God. If nobody wants me to be their preacher, then my “call” may be nothing more than fantasy, ego, a bad burrito, or whatever. The fact that this congregation affirms my gift is one reason to believe I have it and should use it.

Church Is Where the Action Is

There is no place on earth that has the energy and passion of a local congregation. This is where Christians meet, worship, play, fight, you name it. Most important, this is where people change. We meet with each other, and God meets with us.

Publishing is an exciting, challenging, and rewarding pursuit. So are football, theater, and macramé, but they’re not the church. I respect the work of my friends and colleagues in business, education, medicine, and government, but God has called me to the church.

This One Fits

It is easy to over-spiritualize vocational decisions. We say things like, "I’ll go where you want me to go, Lord, even if it's not what I want." That’s how people wind up in urban ministry who should be farming, or teaching Sunday school when they can’t stand kids.

God’s call always generates a hunger in us, a sense of optimism, and a good fit for our temperament, skill, and stage of life. Why return to the church now? Because this congregation fits, and the time is right. If there were an eHarmony.com for pastors and churches, we’d be a perfect match.

It’s the Best Use of My Time

I'll turn 50 this year, and I’ve spent a good deal of time thinking about what comes next. I’m not looking for a nice place to get started (I’ve had that) or an opportunity to gain experience (I’ve done that) or a secure spot to settle (I’m leaving one).

I’m looking for the place where I can use my skills to best advantage, have the greatest effect on people, and create the maximum impact upon the world. Fall Creek is that place.

What about you? What’s the last major move you made in life? And why did you do it

Continue Reading >