A Flurry of Balloting

The 2008 District Council is now history.

Looking back at my April the 24th posting, a pre-council promotion, I couldn't have been more wrong - personally speaking. We walked into this year's council meeting with a very prosperous financial picture, AG ministerial expectations were being held to a high standard, a new and successful church plant was going well, our state wide - educational -Leadership Development picture is coming together, and we had pumped thousands of dollars into ministry throughout the state. I was pleased about our current position. But, to my surprise, the health of the district didn't seem to be of any interest. I didn't press what I felt were accomplishments for the year. After all, everyone did have them in writing. So I moved on.

What happened next did come as a surprise. In a flurry of balloting, a new Superintendent was selected. A strong, well orchestrated opposition voting block emerged immediately. Not one of my friends, ministerial colleagues, had mentioned that this was coming and that I might consider stepping aside, or at least let me know someone else wanted the position. Rather, they chose to catch me on the council floor. Following the election, the next morning, I addressed the group stating that being a dismissed CEO was like having an elephant in the room, uncomfortable. People looked at you like you had cancer, or had just been fired. I didn't want my family, or myself, to have to endure that for a prolonged period. I dismissed myself from the proceedings and we drove home. For the first time in my life I watched McGyver's second season DVD during a district council.

I have decided to speak up, in limited and appropriate places, because if I don't, it is tantamount to agreeing with what appears to be a voting statement that I did a poor job, and was fired as a result. If I remain silent, it would only reinforce that I hadn't done business for the district. Positions were garnered for and opportunities were capitalized on. I feel it was far from a simple nomination and balloting process. From those that oppose me - I expected it. Friends and colleagues - I didn't. In the past, when I served on a public school board, I expected that style of politics - in the church!? From friends!?

As a result, this blog is no longer attached to the District's Web site. Like me it is now free to find its own way.

"I Just Want to Come Home"

A few years ago, a cartilage pad in one of my toes ended up, not between the bones, but on top of the foot where it created a painful lump. I had it surgically removed and a titanium joint replaced it. I had just limped in for a post operation exam when I heard a man down the hall, in another cubical, screaming! When my turn came, the doctor - a former Nazi - bent my newly repaired toe up and down, trying to see if the new joint would actually snap off the foot if enough pressure were applied, meanwhile, he casually mentioned that the guy down the hall had been, "way too sensitive!" What he was saying was that the other guy was a wimp! Then he asked me - "does this hurt?!" Was he kidding?! Every nerve in my body just exploded, my lungs ran out of oxygen, and my brain was shutting down in self-defense! If he had been working for the CIA - I'd have confessed to the Kennedy assignation! But, I didn't scream! In the end, it turned out well, and I greatly benefited from the effort.

In a way, District Council is somewhat like that experience. (I may have picked a bad illustrations for this.) It is a lot of work and preparation for the three and a half days. It involves a lot of expense and apprehension as to how everything will turn out. It involves hotel contracts, credential recognition, financial accountability, business, resolutions, and travel. But, it also means, great fellowship, good food, and best of all, ministry - ministry of the Word - ministry to each other. We will walk away feeling like we are part of a family, a family with a common cause and a sense of camaraderie. We are fortunate in that we have something that others only wish they had.

For example, this week we interviewed a man who previously held credentials with the Assemblies, and is seeking them again. In the interview process with the Presbytery he said, "I just want to come home."

Like any family, we have some difficulties, but, it is always nice to be home.

The Other Side of the Relationship Coin

Fox news always refers to "fair and balanced." Maybe I need to be too - "fair and balance." "Fair and balanced" about reporting my relationships.

In my my last posting I described how important relationships are and that they should take precedence over profession. The picture, for that post, displays warm and close relationships, as they are. But to be perfectly honest, not all of my relationships are that way.
When I was first elected to this position I traveled to the West Coast where I met a man whose first words were - "I never liked you!" Since that time I have met others with the same opinion. Some arrived at it immediately, other took some time getting there. One church board wrote me a three page letter telling me what they thought of me, they would later apologize (because I was right), but it was still a pretty strong, in-your-face, letter. This past week, I got a letter accusing me of allowing violent behavior to be taught to our young people. The "King James Only" people really don't care for me, and I have been told I'm "religious, uncaring, misguided, of the Devil," and several other things. You get the picture.

My wife - I'd better let her speak for herself on this issue. But I'm sure I can be a pain at home. My kids, well, they are more-or-less forced to like me because of the Bible, the "honor" part. However, I'm sure I've grated on them as well, probably a lot. My grand kids - they love me, a lot! But, they're pretty young and don't have much to compare me with. For the time being, they think I'm alright.

In my experience, some contentious relationships have been overcome and friendships have ensued. Other relationships started out difficult and remained that way. A few relationships started out well but deteriorated over time, and remain elusive.

Usually, I work at establishing, or preserving, relationships. More times than not, I'm successful. Then there are the times when I make no effort, or I actually provoke a situation, these often result in regrets.

This I do know, win, lose, or draw, I must keep trying to improve. The results are too important to leave to chance, and who wants to end up old -and bitter?

People Define You

For me, it is people that define life and ministry; it isn't the professional accomplishments. Professional accomplishments have their place, but not first place. If a person leaves a trail of great sermons and new buildings, but the people are broken and disillusioned, that person didn't leave much.

As I look back I can't say it was my sermons that I remember the most - it was the people! People take first place when it comes to memories. When I was in the Tonkin Gulf (Vietnam), I took a hundred sunsets pictures, but it was the people pictures I like the most. This week an Evangelist and his wife came in to see me - "you remember us? You were in Fairbanks and we were with Pastor Jack in Eagle river?" They were excited about their visit - they were remembering people. Steve and Callie, who now live in Texas, were in Fairbanks at Mavis' memorial service. We had fished, hunted caribou from a dog sled, and survived some very cold weather together. We sat at Chile's in Fairbanks and talked about Jesus and days long past. It was good! When I call my son's home, I often ask if the "little guy" is there. He is six foot and tops 200 pounds. But, I was just remembering the little kid I used to hang around with. At other times, when I call I ask for the "big guy," the guy I still like to hang around with!

From time to time, Tracy and I have a father/daughter luncheon. I talk way too much! I should be more reserved - O give me a break! I don't get to see her very often, so I'm going to enjoy every minute! Then there is Emily (bottom right), I'm afraid she, Trinity, and Aaron, will grow up too fast, and I'll miss something!

Joyce and I went on our first cruise in 2007, celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary - and you guessed it - we went with friends. Our son-in-law's parents! We found ourselves zipping down a Mexican highway in a dune buggy, dodging pot holes, yelling - "look, no hands," or tail lights!

Just remembering out loud.

Digitally Speaking

Within the Alaska District, more and more of our constituents are looking to get their information delivered to them in a digital format. This actually works well for the District Office. For example, the volume of paper we produce is staggering, especially during District Council time. Normally, we use cases of paper, bring in additional staff, pay overtime, and call the copier repair man several times a day. Then, all those boxes, that the reams of paper came in, are filled with hundreds of packets that have to be metered and packed to the post office. At the Post Office I'd go in and get a hand-truck, stack the packet-filled-boxes on it and watch the tires flatten out. Pulling the truck up the stairs one stair at a time was challenging and then I'd stand in line for awhile. At the counter I found out I was in the wrong building! Back down the stairs, with this great load of paper, across the parking lot, over a small block wall, and up some more stairs, and I was there.

However, this year, by popular demand, the packets are now on little silver disks. All the disks fit into one medium sized box. No hand-cart, no overtime, no additional staff, reams of paper were saved, and the copier guy spent more time at home.

What do I do with the disk? Read it, print what I want, bring what I want (along with my laptop) to the District meeting, then file it away in it's little neat-o-jet mailing jacket.

The Update, or The Alaskan Missionary, can also be received digitally. It is posted on the District's web site. In addition an email has, and will, be sent to you with an active pdf link attached. All you have to do is point and click.

If the digital formats drive your blood pressure up, all to you have to do is let us know and the printed materials will be delivered right to your door step.

We are currently sending out about one-third of our material in the traditional printed format, and two-thirds electronically. It does save on money and supplies; I hope you enjoy it.

I was reading about a guy who was trying to solder two wires together. However, when he tested the soldered joint it would break easily. In his frustration he could remember when he used to do this all the time, and the soldered wires held consistently. So what was happening? He concluded that he was spending so much of his time in the digital world of computing, printing, and text editing that he was forgetting how to use his hands.

How easy it is to start your day by checking your email, reviewing your tasks, updating the web-site, logging into a "Skype" conference, and closing your day posting to your blog (like I'm doing now)? In church last Sunday, my son-in-law sent me a text message following the service. I looked at the message; it was funny. I immediately hit reply and sent a message back through my mobile cell phone Internet provider. The pathetic part of this was that Bryan was only nine feet away in the sound booth. I could have turned around and replied in person. Earlier today I "Skyped" the person in the next office and hit "start my video" so we could both see and hear each other. How lazy was that!

So, tonight I actually went out to the garage and messed around with some actual tools that weren't digitally formatted. As I looked around, there was my bicycle, ready for Spring. Outside, and close to my house, is a mountain called Flattop; it is great to climb, and the view is wonderful. From time to time I have to remember to shut off the computer and go do something physical.

The picture is from Flattop Mountain and it was taken by Pastor Daryl J.

Kodiak's Pastor on Fundamentals

Pastor Rex L, at the Central Section Men's Conference, told us about a climber who fell to her death when she violated the most fundamental rule of mountain climbing - tying a knot in the end of the rope. If there is a knot in the end of the repelling rope, and you come to end of the rope, the knot won't completely pull through the ring attached to your climbing harness. She neglected to tie the knot and fell over 1300 feet. The knot is fundamental to the climber.

What is fundamental to the Christian is: prayer, reading the Bible, and fellowship. This too, if neglected, could lead to a disaster. For example, The wisest man, Solomon; the strongest man, Sampson; and the one who had a heart after God's heart, David - all fell to sexual sins. If these men could fall, how much more diligent do we need to be tied to the fundamentals of Christianity? The fundamentals are essential.

We were privileged to have Pastor Rex L. and a few of the men from the Kodiak church with us last Friday night. It was the Men's Ministries Mini LFTL Tour that Pastor Kevin S. put together.

Kodiak has some great Christian men.