An In Between Time

2009 Church Conference Pastor’s Report (December 1, 2009)

There are currently enough encouraging things happening at First United Methodist Church to make me believe that we are on the edge of a breakthrough and that a long hoped-for turn around is just around the corner. There are enough discouraging things occurring at First United Methodist Church to make me believe that the congregation would best be served by a change in pastoral appointments.

The encouraging things include:

• Work of the Re-Vision Team. This group of fifteen persons met regularly over a six month period to work through the book, You Only Have to Die: Leading Your Congregation to New Life, written by Jim Harnish. I wrote a chapter-by-chapter assessment of our situation in “Re-Vision News and Notes.” We had good participation, but this work did not result in any specific or far-reaching changes. The primary accomplishment was renewal of our commitment to “You Are Welcome Here” as a signpost for our life as a congregation.
• Strategic Planning Session. One of the outcomes of the work of the Re-Vision Team was a “Strategic Planning Session,” led in August by Barry Dundas, pastor at Trinity United Methodist Church in Salina. Out of that work came these goals for 2010:

Sponsor at least one DISCIPLE Bible Study group.

Establish a task force to organize a Moms’ Day Out, Preschool, or Day Care.

Double the average worship attendance at 3rd service.

• E2 Seminar. Another outcome of the work of the Re-Vision Team is our planned participation in a program called “Equipping Leaders,” sponsored by Pleasant Valley Baptist Church in Liberty, MO. This is a ministry designed to help church leaders develop “an equipping culture that unleashes the exponential power of every believer.” The goal is to “help someone move from being a first-time guest to a fully engaged volunteer reaching his or her God-given potential…”
• Transition in Music Leadership. We were blessed for seventeen years with the  leadership of  Joyce Phillips as Chancel Choir Director, With her resignation  in August, it was critical for us to hire a competent and committed successor. I believe that we have done so with the employment of James Pope, who became our Director of Music Ministries in September. This transition was handled well by everyone.
• Murray Fund Projects. The gift of $50,000 “in memory and honor of Ida Jane White Murray” has been utilized to help upgrade our church facilities and make them more inviting and welcoming. The projects completed to date are: Illuminated Exterior Signs ($6,357.44), Return Steam Pipe ($9,426.00), Video Projector and Screen ($12,197.00), Narthex and Hallway Carpet ($7,423.00), and Third Service Worship ($5,000.00). The last project is an upgrade of the sanctuary sound system.
• Community Involvement. One of the things for which this congregation is known is involvement with the community. We host the Alternative Christmas Market annually, and we have sponsored a “Potato Drop” for several years. We support the Reno County Food Bank, First Call for Help, the Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Center, and New Beginnings. We also assist with the Children’s Emergency Shelter Home and the Christian Soup Kitchen.  We have a supportive relationship with area schools, our various vendors, and the HCC Volleyball Team. The Josephus Fund helps many persons in the community.
• Support for Streamview. Support for our partner congregation–the Streamview United Methodist Church in Mutare, Zimbabwe–has been heartwarming and generous! I was able to take with me more than $1,000 for the church there on my trip last summer. We currently have $1,600 that is ready to be sent. The congregation has also been generous in supporting other projects relating to Africa.
• Committed Laity. This congregation continues to be blessed by the number of lay persons who “show up, pitch in, and help out.” I am especially grateful for those who “go the distance” in what they are doing rather than give in, give out, and give up!
• Capable Staff. I believe that this congregation is thoroughly blessed with the staff that is in place. We work well together and focus on the interests of the church. The staff is conscientious about living within budgetary constraints and saving money as possible without sacrificing the integrity of ministry.

At the same time, there are discouraging things, including:

• Re-Visioning Process. Despite the efforts of the Re-Vision Team, I do not believe that we adequately “discern[ed], discover[ed], and decide[d] . . . [God’s] purpose and direction for us as a congregation,” and we have not restructured how we are organized. There is pressure simply to organize again as we were before taking a break for the Re-Visioning Process.
• Sunday School and Worship Attendance. The attendance patterns have not been significantly changed. In 2001, our average Sunday School attendance through the end of November was 158.96. At the end of November this year, our Sunday School average attendance was 76.98. Worship attendance also shows a decline though not as steep, going from 254.38 through the end of November 2001 to 221.52 through the end of November 2009.
• Financial Challenges. We continue to experience financial challenges. This is the second year in a row that we have operated with an unbalanced budget. The same thing looks likely for 2010. At the end of October 2009, we had  budget giving shortfall of $9,531.34.  A year ago, it was $8,253.10, and we eventually wound up with a deficit of $12,081.13. This simply cannot happen again.
• Mission and Ministry Shortfall. We last paid our “Mission and Ministry” commitment in full in 2006.  In 2007, we paid 76.6% of our commitment of $54,430. In 2008, we paid 67.7% of our “fair share” of $49,457.00. Through the end of October 2009, we have paid $19,130.96 toward our commitment of $53,400.
• Continued Departures. We continue to be affected by a trickle of persons who disengage from their involvement with the congregation. This is always done for reasons that make sense to them. But it is seldom done without a residue of  pain and  continuing resentment, which takes its toll on everyone.
• Tenure and Timing. This is my ninth year to serve as pastor of First United Methodist Church. I am not sure that I ever expected to serve anywhere for that length of time! It may already have been too long. I have four years left until the usual age for retirement. I am not clear about  what would be the most effective use of my time and talents nor about what would be in the best interests of this congregation.

I trust that God will guide and bless all of us as we make our way forward into God’s future—whatever that may be!

Mid-Sized Miracles

During the month of September, I sought to focus my morning messages on what “mid-sized miracles” might look like here at First United Methodist Church. This was based on a suggestion made by Barry Dundas, senior pastor at Trinity United Methodist Church in Salina, when he helped guide us through a strategic planning process last August.

From my vantage point, there are four “mid-sized miracles” that we might hope, pray, and work for here at First United Methodist Church. Each of these are based on passages from the early chapters of the Book of Acts.

These “mid-sized miracles” are:

• “More Than Enough…Money”(Acts 3:1-10). Encountering a man lame from birth at one of the Temple Gates, Peter  did not give him the silver or gold for which he hoped. He did give him what he had, saying “in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk” (Acts 3:6).In reality, then, the miracle as “More Than…Enough Money!”




• “More Than Enough Boldness”(Acts 4:23-31). The exultation that came when the lame man was healed caught the attention of the authorities, as the one who was healed went “walking and leaping and praising God”(Acts 3:8b).  Peter and John were brought before the Council, which tried to intimidate them into silence with threats. But, when all was said and done, “they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness”(Acts 4:31).

• “More Than Enough Believers”(Acts 5:12-16). One of the continuing refrains throughout the early chapters of Acts is “…more than ever believers were added to the Lord, [in] great numbers”(Acts 5:14). The earliest explosion came on Pentecost, which began with there being about 120 believers. By the end of the day, some three thousand had been added. And the growth didn’t stop there! There were yet more “signs and wonders” done by the apostles that resulted in more and more believers coming to faith in Christ.

• “More Than Enough Servants”(Acts 6:1-7). The needs of the early church became so significant that some were being neglected in the daily distribution of food. Rather than give up or give in, however, the apostles asked the community to name those in good standing who could be trusted to be faithful servants. Apparently there were at least enough, because the “word of God continued to spread; [and] the number of the disciples increased greatly…”(Acts 6:7).

God clearly provided the early church with more than enough money, more than enough boldness, more than enough believers, and more than enough servants! I believe that God is doing exactly the same thing here at First United Methodist Church!

May we learn to hope expectantly, pray boldly, and work joyfully for these–and other– “mid-sized miracles” to become a reality among us!

You Are Welcome Here!

For the first six months of the year, a group of about fifteen of us worked together in an effort to “re-vision” the life and work of First United Methodist Church. It was an ambitious goal, and we were partially successful.

We read together You Only Have to Die: Leading Your Church to New Life by James Harnish. We looked at the statistical trends and patterns of our congregation and the community. We prayed together.  We talked together.

We thought that we would be able to develop a common vision or direction for our church’s life. It did not turn out quite that way–or at least not yet.

We continue to work toward understanding the “future with hope” that we do believe God has in store for us. We are working with a consultant in a strategic planning process. And we have decided that a long-used phrase really speaks to who we are–and who we want to be!

The phrase is simply, “You Are Welcome Here.”

• “You” means anybody and everybody who might come our way–intentionally or unintentionally.
• “Are” means “without condition.” We genuinely want to be open to whoever God sends our way. We want to avoid preconditions as much as possible.
• “Welcome” means that we want everyone to have a “place” where they can truly belong, discover a “pace” that works for them, and fulfill the “purpose” that God has for their lives.
• “Here” means not only First and Walnut but wherever God sends us as a congregation–individually and collectively.

Do we fully embody that commitment as a congregation? Not yet, but we are on the way. We need to live into this commitment to “radical hospitality” as we seek to live up to what we claim as God’s purpose.

It is not quite where I imagined that we would come out in the re-visioning process. But it is a place that I believe we need to be–and a place that we can become.

Grace and Peace,
Mark Conard

Doing Something New

“Doing something new” is not always easy. Our recent financial challenges as a congregation have made it necessary at least to try doing some things differently—if not completely new!

One of these was to change how we did Vacation Bible School this summer.  Since at least 2001, we have had an evening V.B.S. That was not the case this year. We made the decision earlier this spring to reduce expenses where we could, and Vacation Bible School turned out to be one of those places.

One of the possibilities was simply to cancel Vacation Bible School, but that was never seriously considered. We finally decided to do a Sunday morning Vacation Bible School, using the basic curriculum already chosen. That saves us the cost of utilities and for an evening Vacation Bible School. It also meant a reduction in the expenses for snacks and other associated costs.

It hasn’t been a perfect solution, and we will revisit this way of doing things before next summer. However, there have been some positive aspects of doing something new.

For one thing, the entire congregation has been able to focus on the same scripture passages that are being used in Vacation Bible School. This has helped to reinforce what was being taught and also to help all of us focus more intentionally on one topic at a time.

This focus moved me into portions of scripture that were not familiar ground. The scripture passages for Vacation Bible School have focused on Moses and the Exodus. I have preached on both topics more than once over the years. However, to the best of my memory, I had never before preached on the plagues! That was the emphasis for the session on “God Is Powerful.”

The closing in Vacation Bible School has become what we use for the benediction on Sunday mornings–at least in the second service. The theme for the day is repeated—loudly and vigorously, e.g., “God Is With Us,” that is then followed by a resounding “Fear Not!”

Doing Vacation Bible School this way has given us a greater sense of focus and purpose as a congregation.

“Doing something new…doing something differently!” There may be more of value than we realized!

Beginning Another New (Appointive) Year

For United Methodist pastors–at least in the Kansas West Conference, the new appointive year starts on July 1.  As of that date, I will begin my ninth year as pastor of First United Methodist Church in downtown Hutchinson! I have never served (or lived!) anywhere else as long as that!

Indeed, this coming year’s service will match the longest pastoral tenure in the history of First United Methodist Church. Only Wayne Findley served this long, from 1982 until 1991.

I arrived in Hutchinson in the summer of 2001, looking a little like the opening credits of the “Beverly Hillbillies.” I was driving our 1996 Ford Ranger pick up, with a dog in the front seat and our porch swing in the back. There was a wondrous variety of items stuffed in around the edges and tied on with rope.. The rest of my family arrived in more stylish means of transportation. My first trip to the store in Hutchinson included a purchase of cat litter and a gallon of milk.

I had grandiose expectations of what would happen here under my leadership. I fully expected that, by now, we would be averaging more than 400 persons in worship and that we would have a full time associate pastor. For two or three years, that looked like a reasonable trajectory, but several things happened that altered the course of our life together.

More than once in the past years, I have questioned my own capacity to serve effectively as pastor of this congregation. There have been those in the congregation who also expressed their doubts and disappointments about what I have done—or failed to do. Some have left, and that has been painful to experience.

However, I continue to have an abiding conviction, which I believe is God-given, that I do have the gifts and graces, the commitment and the compassion to serve effectively here. I am grateful for all those who provide support and encouragement as well as accountability in that venture.

How much longer will I serve as pastor of First United Methodist Church? I honestly do not know. All I know that is I am appointed here for another year, and I am looking forward to see what God has yet in mind for all of us, as we move forward in faith together!

Facing Financial Challenges at First Church

It is no secret that we are in the midst of difficult economic times—locally, nationally, and internationally. In the last two issues of the newsletter, there have been full-page appeals or updates from the church’s Finance Committee. This month, there is no such appeal or update—not because we have weathered the storm entirely, but because we are still in the process of making decisions about how best to deal with our situation.

As we make our way through these difficult times together, it is important for us to keep our eyes on God, remember our calling as disciples of Jesus, and ask for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. That is my commitment as pastor, and I believe it is the conviction of the leaders, members, and friends of First United Methodist Church.

There are several steps we have already taken to reduce expenditures, and there are others under consideration. The steps we have taken so far include:

• Elimination of a weeknight Vacation Bible School this summer.
• Elimination of the purchase of Sunday School curriculum on a “standing order” basis, except for the most basic resources for teachers.
• Elimination of cell phones for any staff member being paid for through the church budget.
• Closing the church office every Friday during the summer.=
• Reducing the number of phone lines. This may mean that you receive a busy signal when you call the church.
• Asking people to pick up their quarterly giving reports rather than automatically sending them via First Class mail.

In addition, I have indicated to the Staff Parish Relations Committee and Finance Committee my willingness to take a $250 to $500 per month reduction in salary, beginning as early as September 1, 2009. No action has yet been taken on this possibility.
In the meantime, I invite members, friends, and constituents of First United Methodist Church to continue to sustain the work of the church through their prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness.

Ending with a Prayer, a Song, and a Gift

It happened the Sunday after Easter this spring. About 10:00 am, I walked by the classroom where the “Wesley Weds” Sunday School class ordinarily meets. At that of the morning, they could usually be found gathered around a table, giving thoughtful attention to their teacher. This Sunday, they were nowhere to be seen, which surprised me.

I could hear more than the usual conversation coming from the church parlor, which is near the Wesley Weds classroom. When I came in, there were the class members–with their teacher–gathered around one of the tables. They were visiting together and enjoying the available refreshments. It seemed a bit out of the ordinary, but I didn’t yet realize what was going on.

The Wesley Weds teacher came around the table and shared with me that this was the last Sunday that the class would meet. That was a surprise to me, as it had been to him that morning. Neither of us had really seen it coming, though it was not completely unexpected.

The Wesley Weds Sunday School class had been one of the great stalwarts in the educational ministry of First United Methodist Church. According to our church’s history, the class had been organized in 1936 by a nucleus of four young couples. Over the years, the class was noted to have “a fine record of service to its members, to youth groups in our church, and to the community.”

In its heyday, the class had as many as 225 persons on their roll. Now, the number had dwindled to 24, with scarcely half of them ever able to attend Sunday School or worship any more. They had met in their particular classroom ever since the church’s Educational Building was opened in the early 1950s.

Rather than fade away into oblivion, the class members had talked among themselves and come to the decision that the time had come for the class to end. It was not an easy decision, but it was a good one. And it was a decision they reached themselves rather than it being forced upon them.

The class members, their teacher, one guest (!), and I were able to sit and talk for most of the rest of the Sunday School hour–sharing stories and memories. Then we headed back to their Sunday School classroom “one last time.”

The life of the Wesley Weds Sunday School class then ended with a prayer, a song, and a gift.

The prayer was one that I offered as pastor of the church. It was an expression of thanksgiving to God for the life of the class for more than seventy years, including its members, leaders, and teachers. It was a blessing on all that had gone before and all that would yet continue to be possible because of this class’s faithfulness.

Then came the song. Not surprisingly, it was “Blest Be the Tie That Binds,” which was #18 in Christian Service Songs, their class song book.It was especially difficult to sing the last verse:
When we asunder part,
It gives us inward pain;
But we shall still be joined in heart,
And hope to meet again.

The last thing that the class did, as I learned later, was to disburse the remaining funds in their class treasury. They chose to give the entire $242.74 to the youth of the church to help with their mission trip this summer. It could not have been a more fitting gift.

A prayer, a song, and a gift–that’s the way that the Wesley Weds Sunday School class came to the end of its officially organized life. It was a time of sorrow, but one of deep joy and thanksgiving. My hope for the class members who remain is that they may always be “joined in heart” one with another.

A prayer, a song, and a gift–what a way for the rest of us to live our lives, however long we may be given! I am grateful for the witness of the Wesley Weds Class, not only in how they drew their life together to a close but in how they lived it their whole life long!

Easter by the Numbers

Easter Sunday, April 12, was a glorious day at First United Methodist Church in downtown Hutchinson, KS.

Admittedly, the weather was dreary and bleary, with a light rain making itself evident. We didn’t have a “sunrise service” this year for the first time in who knows how many years–not because of the weather but because of declining attendance at this service in recent years. But it was still a great day “by the numbers.”

Our worship attendance for the morning was excellent–at least for us in recent years. The total was 377, which is more than last year’s count of 353 and nearly as good as the prior year’s record of 385. We have a ways to go to reach where we were in 2006 with 440, 2005 with 450, or 2004 with 496. But we are moving in a positive direction for a change.

But it was not just the numbers in worship. It was the 21 participants in “Children’s Church” that morning, the 35 Easter lilies on the chancel rail, the 85 “guests and visitors” included in our worship attendance total.

It was the two anthems sung at each service by the choir. It was the four members of our Men’s Quartet, who outdid themselves with their music. And it was the hundreds (not just dozens) of plastic eggs “hidden” in Fellowship Hall for the Easter Egg Hunt after second service!

Another number was the offering total of $12, 899.96, which is more than twice what was received on Easter Sunday 2008. Perhaps that will alleviate some of the financial anxiety we have been experiencing!

But the best number of all was simply one–one empty tomb, one risen Savior! When all is said and done, that is the number that really matters, and that is the number we encountered on Easter Sunday.

Thanks be to God for a blessed and glorious Easter “by the numbers” this year!

Going to Church at Home

Sunday, March 29, was an odd experience for me. We had 18″ of snow in Hutchinson from Friday noon to Saturday noon. Combined with the wind, there was drifted snow as much as 4′ or 5′ deep. Even though the snow stopped and the sun came out Saturday afternoon, it wasn’t viable for us to have church on Sunday.

That made Sunday morning different than virtually every other Sunday morning in nearly forty years. My wife  and I thought about going to church “somewhere,” but every other United Methodist congregation in town was also closed. Besides, even though we had  shoveled out our driveway, it didn’t look like we could get very far on the street. Plus, the county authorities were strongly advising people to stay home unless it was an “absolute emergency.” Somehow, church didn’t quite fit that description!

So that left us with the option of “going to church at home.” We could have sat and read our Bibles and perhaps sang a song or two. There was the possibility of watching one or another service on television. However, we opted to watch the “live streaming” broadcast of worship from the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, KS.

The senior pastor, Adam Hamilton, focused on the events the Thursday of Holy Week–both Jesus’ “last supper” with his disciples and also his time of agonizing prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. Adam had actually preached from Jerusalem the two previous Sundays, and he had just returned from Israel the previous week.

I always learn a great deal whenever I hear Adam speak, teach, or preach. He has the capacity to invite you on board with what he sees and where he is going, and he helps you feel at ease with where you are in the process.  Sunday’s experience was no exception.

I particularly liked Adam’s reminder that “Maundy Thursday” was actually the time when Jesus gave us “mandates” for how we are to live our lives as followers of Jesus. These mandates include Jesus’ directives–or commandments– for us to:

• eat the bread [and drink of the cup], “in remembrance” of Jesus (Luke 22:19-20);
• love one another,” as Jesus has loved us (John 13:34). This doesn’t  mean having “warm, fuzzy feelings” for one another but to seek what is best for them even when we don’t feel like it and they don’t deserve it; and
• serve one  another, following the teaching and example of Jesus who came among us “as one who serves”(Luke 22:27).

I don’t remember Adam saying it quite this way, but these three mandates are not multiple choice. They are not “pick and choose.”  They are not based on our own feelings. They are to be grounded in faith, which is God’s free and gracious gift. And they are to be done, just like Jesus said!

When the service was concluded, I felt spiritually refreshed and renewed. I don’t know how soon I will again “go to church at home,” but I now know where to go and what to do! In the meantime, I have the needed reminders of what Jesus says I am caled to do.

The Rest of the Story

The late Paul Harvey was one of America’s best known radio announcers and commentators. I remember learning the necessity of waiting for him to complete his broadcast with the delayed statement, “Good Day,” that came at the end of each broadcast.

I also liked hearing “The Rest of the Story.” It almost always  brought new understanding or perspective to a long familiar story or perhaps something I had never previously heard.

In this season of Lent, we have the advantage over the disciples in that we already know “The Rest of the Story.”  It is hard to imagine living life with Jesus so many years ago without knowing how things would turn out.

Their expectations, so far as we can tell, were that Jesus was going to Jerusalem to be welcomed as a conquering hero and to inaugurate the new Kingdom of God on earth. It was beyond belief when they saw their leader arrested, convicted,  tortured, humiliated, and put to death.

And yet, there was  “the rest of the Story!” It took place on what we now call Easter Sunday morning, and it brought the astonishing and unbelievable news that Jesus had been raised from the dead!

There are times when I think that I would like to know “the rest of the story” about how things will turn out here at First United Methodist Church! I sometimes think that I would like to know what moment will make the difference, what conversation will be the key, what prayer will bring the answer, what program or project will get us turned around, and yet I don’t have that kind of knowledge.

What I do know is more important than any short-term goals and self-serving desires. I know that the God whom we seek to serve is more durable than any suffering, more persistent than any opposing forces, more constant than any misunderstanding, more faithful than any accusation, and more powerful than death itself!

It is this God–the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ–who is with us in all the moments of our life. It is this God–the one who raised Jesus from the dead–who already knows “the rest of the story!”

It is this God, whom we are called to serve faithfully, even though we do not know for certain how the story will turn out! In the meantime, we seek to trust God with all that we have and all that we are. Because it is this God, who already knows “the rest of the story,” and it is a story of life and love and light!

May you have a blessed Easter, already knowing “the rest of the story!”