Saturday, April 18, 2009

COULD YOUR CHURCH BE OUR HOME

Well I was afraid this could happen and it has, even though our small congregation has fought to keep things going we have not been able to do so. The economy and a aging congregation has left our small Nazarene church faced with dealing with the closing of our church in the next 60 days or so. Not a prospect any Pastor wants to have to deal with, even though I will probably be done at the church before that actually happens. So here we are wondering what to do next with two teenagers to boot. For us it has been a five year journey here with our small community of faith, it is a shame it has only been in the last couple of years that we have seen several new young couples attending.

But to get to the point of the matter and I'm very much aware of how the CotN works. But at the same time I was wondering, does anyone out there know of any good leads for a Pastor who has strong sacramental convictions, and is very much open to the ancient future form of worship, who is classically Wesleyan in theology. Be it either as Pastor or Associate Pastor in the Church of the Nazarene. Regardless please pray for me and my family during this time of transition in our lives. If you have any thoughts you can contact me through my profile here on the Sanctifying Worship blog.

Now for some food for thought, how hard do you think it is for a Nazarene Pastor with sacramental convictions to find a good match with a like minded congregation in the CotN?

Peace,

Steven

Wednesday, April 08, 2009

Via Dolorosa "Way of Grief"


Yesterday on Holy Tuesday I went to pray with my friends at St. Johns Episcopal Church. The Holy Week meditation was the fourteen traditional stations of the cross, sometimes known as the "Way of the Cross." As we prayed I found myself spiritually in Jerusalem walking the Via Dolorosa with my Lord, which is believed to be the road our Lord Jesus traveled to Golgotha. For me this is what good holy week liturgy is all about, being able to once again enter into the mystery of the passion and death of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, as we await the celebration of His glorious resurrection.
Have a blessed Holy Week.