New Beginnings

I have dealt with my share of "death bed" conversions during my ministry, but never dreamed I would experience such a turn around in my career. But a phone call from the Bishop of the Arkansas area two years ago changed my focus, my culture, my wardrobe, my life. Much to my surprise, I am reveling in the new experiences with probably more gusto than any reformed addict ever expressed for their sobriety.
What could bring about such a repentence? After 26 years of serving as a traditional minister in a series of traditional congregations, I was asked to go and be the senior pastor of a totally contemporary, or theatrical, or experiencial (we are not really sure what to call ourselves) church. All I can attribute the change to is Divine intervention, or sudden episcopal insanity!
Whatever the cause, my rebirth in ministry hit me with all the voltage of difibulator pads that sent new life coursing through every pore of my body and soul.
After 26 years of what I had perceived as joyful ministry, I suddenly discovered the excitement the disciples must have experienced in their original walk with Jesus, when every day brought another WOW moment to their lives. How powerful it is to awaken every day and have no idea how God and the other staff members of the church will be able to surprise you with a new and creative way to share the good news of Christ.
Looking back on the two years I have been traveling this path, I now recognize that for all my life I had been seeking this place and style of life. I've always been pretty much out of step with the world.
In the world of athletics where I grew up, I was always more comfortable with friends from the band and choir than the other jocks. In a family of school teachers I just got by in the classroom, always more interested in reading novels than in studying. In seminary I loved the Old Testament amidst all the Greek reading Jesus freaks. In my ministry I have written plays about the birth of Jesus that were based on Michael Crighton's "Timeline" and involved building a "Bethlehem" on the parking lot of church and having groups of "timeshifters" traveling back to see what might have happened. For years instead of devotions in our Wednesday night services I would produce "Ramblings" which were simply stories of where I had encountered God in the ordinary daily events of life.
But still every Sunday I donned the robe and stole and presided over the liturgy of the church. I didn't have a clue there was another way to do it.
Then came the Bishop's call and everything was jump started.
The poor people in my new church had to endure a minister who led the very first contemporary service he ever saw or participated in. That they came back the next week without rotting vegtables in their hands to thow at me is truly a sign of God's Grace.
But these two years, where drums and guitars have replaced organ and piano; where 85 decibal songs including recently "Welcome to the Jungle" by Guns and Roses replaced sedate choral presentations; where home written drama took the slot reserved for the creeds and liturgy; and where there is not a cross or a pulpit in sight; in those places I have found God in a way and power that I never experienced before.
In those 26 years of traditional ministry I baptized 17 people over the age of 21. I baptized tons of babies and confirmands, but never even met many older folks who might be baptized. In two years here I have baptized 55 people over 21! I've met addicts, Goths, walking buletin boards for tatoo parlors, in effect the people Jesus intended to help all along, those lost in the eyes of the rest of the world.
So now my education is taking another step and I'm going to attemp blogging.
I have strong doubts anyone will actually find this rambling, much less read it. But I am on a road, a new journey, and can't wait to see how God will bless this adventure!
Have a great day!
Look for God in new places, you might be amazed at what you will find.
Bill