e-Note From Martin - August 9 Issue

Dear Church Family, This week’s e-note will cover the following topics: • • • •

New Series Listening Sessions I’m Impressed!

Pulpit and Screen, Part 2

New Series: Beginning this weekend, August 13-14, we will launch a five-week series based on Bishop Schnase’s book, “The Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations.”

Our Sunday school classes (adults, youth and children) and other small groups will study the five practices, and I will preach on them during our worship services. These five practices will be my primary priorities during my tenure at BUMC, so I hope you will be here all five weeks. I especially want to encourage you to purchase a copy of the book and read it. They will be on sale in the narthex this Sunday. This is the best book I’ve ever read on what it takes to be a healthy church, and it would mean a lot to me if you would read it during this five-week series.

Listening Sessions: I am currently engaged in extensive listening sessions with the staff and congregation. I’ve already completed ten one-on-one sessions with the coordinating staff.

I’m currently visiting with 15 different staff groupings (children, youth, facilities, music, finances, etc.) And, during the months of August, September and October, I will hold listening sessions with the congregation at large. These are crucial opportunities for me to learn more about our church, so I hope you will participate in one of the upcoming Wednesday night sessions. Although we’ve scheduled the sessions based on life stages, you are welcome to come to any session that fits your schedule (Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 7:30 in the Chapel).

I’m Impressed! Although I’ve only been here a few weeks, I’m already deeply impressed with the people and ministries of BUMC. For example, your response to the “Christmas in July” school supply back-pack program was overwhelming. When we announced that we were behind budget and needed additional children’s workers, offerings immediately went up and numerous people volunteered to help with the children.

Just this week I visited both Harvest Hands and Trinity UMC, our satellite campus in Spring Hill. I’m overwhelmed with joy that we are engaged in both starting a new church and doing inner city ministry. Combining evangelism and social ministry is what the United Methodist Church is all about. I’m proud of you!

Pulpit and Screen, Part Two: There has been a lot of discussion in our church in recent weeks about the new pastor not preaching from the pulpit and using the screen. Although a few people have expressed concerns about these issues, I’ve received overwhelming positive feedback about preaching directly in front of the congregation and using the screen. It’s important to note that these two issues are not just about personal preference for me. They are about effectively communicating the Gospel in the 21st century, both for our current members and for our future members. I also want you to know that other than using some visual aids to support the

sermon and service, I have no intentions of changing our traditional services to contemporary services. Although I am more than happy to talk to you one-on-one about the pulpit and screen, I’ll not be discussing these two issues anymore in my enotes or during worship services. As Forest Gump said, “That’s all I have to say about that.”

Paula and I want to thank you for your overwhelming expressions of love, support, affirmation and welcome. I can’t tell you how glad I am to be your pastor.

Finally, it was good to receive the following fifteen new members this week: Jonathan and Anna Cates Williams, Henry and Lydia Turlington, Harlis and Phyllis Johnson, Joe, Christine, Madeline and Ava Belleau, Tommy, Janey, Blaine and Drew Warmbrod and Matthew Bennett Flippin. Welcome to our church family.

In Christ’s Love, Martin