WINTER 2019/20

​Park UMC
Being at Park these last six and a half years has been some of the most enjoyable moments in
ministry and some of the most challenging moments as well. The moments haven’t been challenging
because of situations or circumstances that I have had to deal with, but challenging
because I haven’t been sure were to lead or how to lead. As I have tried to wade through where
and how to lead it has felt so weird and sloshy and sluggish (I can’t think of better words, I wish I
could).

We have spent time talking about how we see discipleship happen. We have landed on: Initiating
connection, inviting into community, calling to surrender and journeying together into transformation.
There is still flesh that needs to be added to those bones, but that will come as we walk
through it together.

We have talked about what Park as an organization/institution can actually do to help make
discipleship happen and there seems to be three things. We can encourage, we can equip, and
we can provide opportunities for the people of Park, but it is the individuals that, together, make it
happen.

The last thing that we have done is talk about what the job of the church is, and it is more than
just making disciples – that is what happens when we do our job. We believe the job of the
Church is to Worship God (Think Love God), to nurture and care for those who are part of the
body (Think love each other), and to share this good news with the world (think love our neighbor).

So, we are forming four teams to help lead Park in how we do these four areas. Below you
will see the purpose for those four teams. Hopefully as you read it, you will see what we think
the organization of Park can do as well as our plan for discipleship.

Worship Team – loving God
Purpose: To encourage, equip and provide opportunities for the body to focus our attention
and adoration on the Lord, give God the praise and acknowledgement He deserves so that
God will behonored above all, and put ourselves in a correct relationship with the Lord, so
that we will be transformed from being in God’s presence.

Nurturing Team – loving each other
Purpose: To encourage, equip and provide opportunities for the members of the body to love
one another, know what it is to be Christ’s disciple, hear the call to surrender, be transformed
into the likeness of Christ, and be together on this journey.

Caring Team – loving each other
Purpose: To encourage, equip and provide opportunities for the members of the body to care
for others in the body who are hurting, sick, weary, lonely, discouraged, or have other needs
so that they will know that they are not forgotten, they are loved, they are not alone and they
are part of the body.

Sharing Team – loving our neighbor
Purpose: To encourage, equip and provide opportunities for the members of the body to love
our neighbors, know who our neighbors are, go to our neighbors, share the love of Christ and
the Good News of Christ with them, connect with them and invite them into the body of
Christ.
​
I’m so excited about what is coming and looking forward to how God will use our planting and
watering to make things grow. Keep this in your prayers. Think about what area speaks to you,
maybe you can help us there. I’m glad we are on this journey together. What a joy.