Leaders are Learners

I am now about half way through Air War College. This is the final Professional Military Education piece for me as an Officer. I have enjoyed parts of it. Others, no so much! I try hard not to have a "this is just checking a box" mentality. I really do want to learn. 

I believer every good leader is a learner. I believe our thirst for learning is a great gift. I always want to be thirsty to learn new things. The people I lead deserve that. I deserve that! After all, the most important person I lead is myself!

Formal Goodbye

My heart is overflowing with gratitude with all the wonderful things that were shared at our Churubusco UMC goodbye. My time as their Senior Pastor was short, but the memories will be long lasting.

Thank you for everyone that took the time to stop by and say goodbye. Thanks too for those that could not be there but still sent a card. Those gestures of gratitude are deeply appreciated.

Now that our time of saying goodbye to one another as pastor/congregant as come and gone, the time for us to remain as friends begins.

I hope nothing but the best for the bright future of Churubusco UMC! 

Overnight Bible Study

I really enjoy leading Bible Studies at the 181st. A current one is for the overnight crew that I do at the beginning of shift in the evening. They come in a hour early just to be in this Bible Study! Outstanding group.

Recently we were talking about a passage from James 4...being a "friend" of the world. I told them that I thought the word "friend" was easily misunderstood in this context. I said it is a little like the difference between a "chubby" friend and being an "ally" friend.

This was received with blank looks...when finally one Airmen spoke up and said, "Chaplain, do you mean 'chummy'?"

I said, "yes! I knew that chubby didn't sound right but I couldn't think of chummy."

Don't be either a chubby or chummy friend!! 

Packing up

While packing up my office this weekend, I realized just how fast time flies. The end of my time at CUMC has come and gone...just like that! Where did the time go? Even though the time was short in the memories we made, no one can ever take those memories from me!

I have been reminded yet again: cherish each moment; make the most of your day; don't throw away time. Why? Because the end will come and more than likely it will come way sooner than you were expecting.

 

Ending reflections

As I have continued to reflect on my time ending as the Senior Pastor of Churubusco UMC, I am mindful of many things. Some of them are:

• Incredible gifted musicians
• Outstanding servant leaders willing to get out of their comfort zones
• A 7 day a week Church
• Passionate people of Faith willing to share that Faith with others
• A willingness to try new things in worship
• Wonderful group of Veterans
• Gifted staff members
• Behind the scenes servants faithfully showing up and getting it done without any fanfare 

The ending has come all too soon. But there are more dreams that God has in store for this great Church. I can't wait to hear about all the great ways these dreams come alive in the future.

Thank you CUMC! 

My news

It has been publicly announced today that my orders at the 181st Intelligence Wing in Terre Haute, IN has been extended through September, 2021. It is with a heavy heart and mixed emotions that I must say I will not be returning to be the Senior Pastor at Churubusco UMC. 

There is not doubt in my mind that the outstanding people of the Church will continue in their faithful witness to be a beacon of Light and Hope in Jesus Christ. 

I am grateful for the good we were able to do together through servant leaders that stepped out of their comfort zones to serve in new ways. 

Delight #5

I am leading 2 different "Fruit of the Spirit" Bible Studies on base--one in the afternoon and one in the evening. I love both groups! The groups are a wonderful mix of Airmen that didn't know each other before and close friends. The conversations are lively and the discover of Truth is rich!

I have told these groups that I understand the study of Scripture to be both a mirror and a window. A mirror that reflects back to me the real me (whether I want to really see the real me is another story!). And a window that allows us to see through the words on the page the Living Word of Christ in our midst.

When have you studied recently?