DS Thoughts

I was recently discussing with a group of pastors new to the district their hopes and dreams, observations, and challenges in their setting of ministry. I witnessed their excitement about their church and readiness to lead the church into a magnificent future. They all talked about the listening sessions they are having with members and also the importance of offering people passionate worship. Then, as the group talked about challenges, it was great to hear them each share their focus of identifying opportunities for the congregation to connect, provide relief, support, and be a face of hope with people beyond their church doors.

One discussed the possibility of a coffee house in the downtown area. Another pastor discussed using a building in the community that the church purchased to address the overwhelming need of children and youth who would not normally walk into the doors of a church. And another colleague talked about building a relationship with the school principal, teachers, and elected officials in the community. They were already helping their congregations in rethinking how to move beyond the comfortable walls of the church into the world. They were rethinking what they wanted the discipleship and outreach of their ministry setting to look like in the next five years.

In the words of one of my favorite groups of the early 70’s, the Doobie Brothers, these colleagues were essentially “Takin’ it to the Streets”—taking the message of God’s love and forgiveness. They were rethinking what their leadership style must reflect in an ever-changing world and generation that no longer views the church as its first option for meaning and direction.

Rethink Church is also the theme of the UMC Communications media campaign to expand the promise first voiced in 2001: that the United Methodist Church represents people with “Open Hearts. Open Minds. Open Doors.” who are intentionally and genuinely welcoming and inviting people into a relationship with Jesus Christ.

It is a movement posing several provocative questions for our denomination and Heartland South District churches to consider:

What if church was less about Sunday and more about the other days of the week?

What if church wasn’t just a place we go, but something we do?

What if church wasn’t just a building, but thousands of doors, each opening up to a different concept or experience of church?

What if our church budget served the people outside our church more than inside? What would it look like?

What if our church would go where the people are rather than waiting for them to come to us?

What if our church closed tomorrow? Who would feel the impact?

My prayer in the days and weeks ahead is that as we Rethink what it means to be the church Somewhere Out There – Outwardly Focused, we will answer these questions as the community of faith in positive and transforming ways.

Thinking with you,

Cody

Related Links:

Hear "Takin' it to the Streets" by the Doobie Brothers. Click to open the music file in a new window, may take awhile to begin.

Visit Rethink Church 101

Visit the companion web site 10thousanddoors.org

Both can be followed on Facebook and Twitter by signing up at Rethink Church

Downloadable promotional material for Rethink Church visit he

Left: Mason helps Dad, Steven Rew, lead singing

RightHS Clergy Scott Bailey-Kirk with welcome gifts.

August 4, 2009

Dear Colleagues,

I hope this email finds you experiencing God’s presence in a special way today, causing you to serve with new energy, encouragement, greater faith and eager enthusiasm!

I am writing to you today first to share the joy Sharon and I felt as we had a chance to catch up with many of you and your families at our recent District Picnic. We also rejoice in greeting our new pastors to the district as well as those returning to the district in new appointments. Greetings this morning to: Art Ellsworth, Scott Bailey-Kirk, James Stanfield- Myers, John Payne and Asher McDaniel.

Secondly, I want to share a word about this year’s Charge Conferences. “Somewhere Out There – The Outwardly Focused Congregation” will be the theme of the Charge Conferences this year as we model the many ways to be in risk-taking mission and service. (See Charge Conference Schedule)

I look forward to hearing you and your leaders talk about the hands-on mission projects and outreach ministries which push people out of their comfort zones to make a real difference in the lives of a hungry and hurting world.

Your reflections can be in the form of pictures, symbols, testimonies and video presentations. (Persons in Cluster groups will need to let the host church know if you need a projector.) It would help for the meetings in Cluster groups to be around tables, if possible.

Please note that we will not include Holy Communion this year because of the possible length of the teaching time with the District Superintendent in Cluster groups. I have already experienced a real blessing this past Sunday while I worshiped and met with the Calhoun/Drake’s Chapel churches and fellowshipped with the Mt. Zion and Cole Camp/Ionia charges.

Congratulations to Aldersgate UMC which was selected for the 2009 Best of Lee’s Summit Award in the Methodist Churches category by the US Commerce Association!

Please hold the date of Tuesday, September 22, 2009, for a required pastors meeting with guest speaker, Robert Martin, Associate Professor of Church Leadership and Practical Theology at Saint Paul School of Theology to be held at Woods Chapel (Lee’s Summit) 10-2:00 p.m.

Finally, let us keep in our prayers Harold and Karen Johnson in the recent loss of their wonderful son, Randy Johnson; the family of the beloved C. Jarrett Gray, Sr.; and the family and friends of our dear colleague Zelena Stultz, who we have learned passed away yesterday. (Further details will be shared as they become available.)

Blessings to all whose lives are filled with praise, as well as those who find this day hard, punctuated with significant decisions to make, health issues personally and among your church setting, and immediate challenges along the way.

Always know that God is just a prayer away, providing us comforting hope,

Cody

Beloved Colleagues

Interview with Zelena Stultz in January 09

KC Star article about C. Jarrett Gray, Sr.

June 28, 2009

Colleagues-- It’s time to meet with an old friend:

Dear Quiet,

It is time to catch up with you again. I remember when I first met you as a child climbing high into a backyard tree. We would spend hours together enjoying the peace above all the noise and expectations below. I liked the way you would sing to me in the wind and tickle my spirit to imagine the impossible. How you help me to see and think more clearly when I’m away from life’s distractions.

It was growing up with you that I was able to know the power of prayer and how to be present to others. It has been through your whispered invitation that I have found you calming my fears and doubts through life’s challenges. I am amazed how you always seem to be wooing me over in unbelievable God moments.

I have failed to thank you for your presence and care while dealing with the ongoing tension of the being and doing of ministry: the soothing way you lift my soul as I work on the burdensome joy of preparing a message, the unspeakable gift of silence while holding a hand of someone dying, the remarkable way you gave me strength when hearing the words “you have cancer,” and the healing that followed through slowing down rather than running from you.

It is also in those silent places that you have reminded me of all the wonderful people and blessings in my life. You are teaching me daily to do no harm, do good where I am, and stay close to you. What a way you have with me when I am not glued to my calendar or the next meeting. What a better and positive servant I am when I am not spending all my time at the computer or trying to fix every situation.

I am letting you know today, I have missed you. I am sorry for all the excuses I have made for not getting in touch with you. So, dear quiet friend, thank you for always making yourself available to me. I am on my way for a quiet visit.

I just got your message: Be still.

Colleagues,

While I visit this old friend and spend time with my family during July 1-16, 2009, the Rev. Brent Mustoe (Aldersgate UMC) will be available for any emergencies. I look forward to seeing you when I return for the visits with Bob Farr and at our District picnic, July 30, 2009.

Cody

June 10, 2009

Dear Colleagues,

I am still reflecting on the exciting time of worship, learning, preaching and fellowship during this year’s Annual Conference. Although your DS was consumed with Constitutional Amendments, there was an overwhelming feeling that delegates were fired up about being outwardly focused in their mission and witness opportunities.

It was gratifying to see our district in action during the MissionCast presentation as the ministries at Raymore, Calhoun/Drake’s Chapel, and Peculiar were lifted up. In addition, there are many other churches throughout our district sharing their mission outreach on the MissionCast that I hope you will check out on the Conference web site.

I was also glad to hear about Jim Preisig’s workshop on Permission or Forgiveness: Seeking the Freedom to be Outwardly Focused that was standing room only. During the Ordination service I heard about the meaningful ways Jim Downing is leading the Order of Elders this year. It was inspiring to hear the report from Margie Briggs on the Social Justice Team Risk-taking mission work and the special award given to our own Harold Johnson.

I want to share with you that Bishop Joaquina Filipe Nnanala talked about how grateful she was for the time in our district earlier this year and for the wooden praying cross we presented to her on behalf of our district. (Special thanks to Sandy Feeler and Delmar for the gift.)

Perhaps what was most gratifying for me as your DS was to look at our district from the stage area and see the gifted and passionate leadership of our clergy and laity in the Heartland South District who have been Somewhere Out There this year, addressing the needs of a hurting world. I will, of course, be challenging you to stretch your imagination to do even more in the days ahead. If you or your delegate to Annual Conference did not get a chance to fill out the questionnaire from our district about ways that I or the district can be more helpful, feel free to email me your suggestions.

We rejoice in the announcement of Robert and Carly Sefrit in their celebration of the birth of their daughter Calla Elizabeth Sefrit. And we share the joy of our new Elders, Donna Trollinger and Mary Lou Toft.

Please be in prayer today for Brent Mustoe, Jeremy Vickers, Steve Shearer, and Maureen McNeil, as well as for all of the pastors/families who are moving this year, and for the Cole Camp community that recently experienced the tragic death of a family in the area.

Finally, I would invite you to hold the date of Thursday evening, July 30, 2009, for our District Picnic that will again be at Powell Gardens. (Further information to be shared later.)

In Risk-Taking Mission and Service,

Cody

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Dear Friends,

It’s been a while since you have seen a picture of my grandson Alex. Alex is now nine months old. He is continuing to grow while stumbling, rolling over, babbling, and standing up for a few moments before falling down again. It is amazing when you realize that he keeps falling down, gets up, takes a few steps, falls again and then smiles as he gets up again to start over.*

My sense is that ministry is much like baby steps. We are constantly praying and prodding our local church to set out to walk and grow in new and exciting ways. Often there is fear and doubt in moving forward, especially if you have some members who really struggle with all of the risk and change that is needed in building the Kingdom.

I recently was a part of the consecration service at Adrian UMC in our district for their magnificent new addition to their building. It is roughly 7,800 square feet of space. It includes: four large classrooms, a fellowship hall, a multi-purpose room used for a nursery, badly needed office space and restrooms, and a beautiful gathering area with the symbol of United Methodist Church created on the floor as a part of the entrance to the building.

The consecration was a moving experience for me because I remember, during my first year in the district, meeting with the District Board of Church Location and Building when they recommended that Adrian wait until they had in place the finances and further plans before taking on such a project. Ultimately, their committee took careful steps to rethink and move forward in planning, excavating, pledging, and personally assisting in helping their dream become a reality.

It is also worth noting that the work was done by local people in the area. The church understood that the purpose of God’s timing was to give them time to fall down and get up again, hold steady, pace themselves, and look forward rather than backward, all with the mission: “To draw people into a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.”

The important question I want to raise with you during the month of May is, “Are you stuck where you are or are you moving forward?”

And the significant promise is to know that God provides the strength, timing, confidence and presence of the Holy Spirit for all that you are seeking to do. You may be experiencing in your ministry some stumbling blocks; it might seem to be taking too long for the vision to happen. You may ask yourself, “Can I continue to do this joyfully? Does anyone care about the sacrifice and struggle I am facing?”

The answer is yes. You are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, visible and all around you, who are cheering you on. There is always available the power of prayer.

The challenge may be for you get on the balcony, as the authors of Leadership On Line suggest. Step back to get perspective while remaining fiercely engaged. Use your stress in productive ways through choosing and putting the responsibility upon the leaders that have a heart for God work’s and will make the changes needed. Maintain your focus while taking the heat that comes with growth. And did I mention to keep praying so that you are anchored yourself and help anchor others in a ministry of moving forward?

As I was entering the Adrian church, one of the members, who has the joy of Christ every time I see her, remembered that first meeting when the district committee had questions about the plans. She hugged me and said essentially: It was worth the wait!

I hope the image of a little child is helpful this week for someone who is walking through some difficult challenges.

If you are falling down, get up, smile and start again. You will be amazed what progress you can make as one of God’s children.

Stepping out in faith,

Cody

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Occasional Thoughts for Easter

It’s Friday, but Sunday’s Coming!

Many of you have heard, or possibly used as a theme, the sermon entitled, “It’s Friday, but Sunday’s Coming.” One version is taken from a story by Tony Campolo about a message his preaching mentor delivered. I have also had colleagues share a powerful Word saying: however difficult the situation in one’s life, it might feel as if you are living in a Good Friday world, yet Sunday is coming-- to pull us all out of our tombs of despair to new life and hope in the Resurrection.

The sermon that Tony Campolo describes says:

It’s Friday. Jesus has been arrested in the garden where he was praying. But Sunday’s coming.

It’s Friday. The disciples have all abandoned their master. Peter denies that he knows the Lord. But Sunday’s coming.

It’s Friday. Jesus is beaten, mocked and ridiculed by the Roman soldiers. But Sunday’s coming.

It’s Friday. Jesus is in the tomb. Heaven is silent. Satan is laughing because he thinks he’s won. But Sunday’s coming.

What a great message for our congregations and for our diverse ministries!

I have been reflecting on all the running I was doing prior to Holy Week one year in my third appointment. I had just returned from a three day revival I had led in Cartersville, Georgia. I had worked months in advance with the worship team and music team to make each service as meaningful as I could for the congregation. There were special themes and a large participation of members involved in the various services planned. However, on Friday night, I was trying to ignore a developing pain that was shifting from side to side in my body. During the middle of the night the pain intensified. I was crawling on the floor trying not to wake anyone. The pain was unbearable. Sharon immediately woke up and could see that I needed to go to the hospital. I did not argue with her, although a part of me was saying it would eventually subside.

The doctor took a small test and discovered I needed to be rushed into surgery for an emergency appendectomy. As the doctor shared his diagnosis, I began to think about all of the events planned that were leading to Easter. I informed the doctor it was fine for him to do the surgery; however, it would need to be performed after Easter. By this time the hospital room was full of relatives who wanted to come after me, but felt they could not show the Collier temper in front of the doctor. My wife at this point said, “He’s ready for surgery.”

I could not imagine not preaching on Palm Sunday and possibly Easter Sunday service. I was devastated just thinking about it.

Following surgery, I was thinking about how I might sneak out of the hospital and surprise everyone, perhaps giving a brief message. What I didn’t anticipate was how weak I would feel and how much it would hurt to move. It was on Good Friday that one of the pastors came by to remind me that, although I was feeling bad, Sunday’s coming! God’s love is on the way to remove all our pain, sorrow and disappointments. It was just what I needed to hear from an unexpected voice.

On Sunday, I felt better than I had in some time. The church had filled my room at home with cards, Easter lilies and letters. The kids had drawn pictures with the message: “He lives.” Sunday was no longer on the way. Sunday was here. I did not get a chance to walk with the congregation through the happenings of Holy Week, however on Easter Sunday morning, with a little pain, I was able to thank God for my life and the possibilities of new life for all of us.

Today, the Resurrection reminds us that God can repair what is broken, raise up what is cast down, renew what is old, and restore what appears to be lifeless.

This week, as you take your congregation through this Holy Week, may you be reminded in the midst of your own personal struggles, illnesses, grief, concerns within your family, or congregation:

It may be Friday for you right now – but Sunday’s Coming.

Preach It and Live it!

In faith and hope,

Cody

*Stained Glass design depicting the joy of Good Friday and Easter by Stushie

** Tony Campolo streaming sermon (scroll page)

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March 16, 2009

Dear Friends,

Few times in the Christian year call us to reflect on transformational change like the Lenten season. Lent, as you aware, is derived from the Anglo-Saxon word lenctem, meaning spring. The word reflects the lengthening of days as we move from winter toward the summer.

And Lent reflects the forty days that Jesus wandered in the wilderness tempted by Satan in readiness for a ministry destined for tragedy and ending in victory. Most of us cannot imagine the level of sacrifice and commitment Jesus endured during those forty days; yet Lent provides each of us the opportunity for engaging in regular disciplines that can lead our wilderness wanderings toward spiritual transformation.

Lent is the perfect time to seek solitude and self-reflection. Ministry can often feel like a dry, lonely desert; so we all need to take the time for self-care and wellness for the soul. I would encourage you to find a place to interrupt your schedule to reconnect with God and explore the spiritual resources that can help you inwardly and outwardly in your daily ministry.

This exploring may mean taking thirty minutes to read a book that gives a new perspective on life or just allowing times throughout the day to pray. It may also mean taking time with the cell phone, TV, and computer turned off to clear your mind of all the stuff you are dealing with in your world. It could be deciding this time to let go of a bad habit or behavior that keeps you from moving forward.

Why mention spiritual practices as we start the third week of Lent? Isn’t it too late to be talking about this when many of us have already begun some type of spiritual exercise? Given the level of stress and struggles we all carry in ministry, I believe that it’s appropriate to talk about how we clear space in our life for God during Lent and beyond.

As one writer suggests: The lesson of Lent is not a time of sacrifice and denial, but rather a time of preparation and anticipation – preparation for the real work to which God calls us and anticipation of the fullness of life that God promises.

And so this week…

I’m going to invite God to forgive me, tease me, renew me, and use me.

I’m going to thank the Lord for all of the challenges and blessings in my life.

I’m going to make my room in Columbia, where I will be all week, a sanctuary for spiritual refreshment.

I’m going to run and not be weary, walk and not faint.

I’m going to listen more to the wisdom of my grandchildren long distance.

I’m going to continue to pray for you and your families and the special prayers written during the Shrove

Tuesday Service.

I’m going to live to be more teachable, changeable where needed, and lovable.

I’m going to offer prayers for the leader and pastors in the conference PLD.

I’m going to ask God to stretch me to be a witness to someone under 25 to consider ordained ministry.

I’m going to be involved in ministries that eliminate poverty and injustice.

And I’m not going to allow the devil to steal my joy while doing it!

Reminders for the Journey:

Our Administrative Assistant, Nancy Esry, will be out of the office this week for spring break.

Please begin to invite and register your leadership team for the Local Church Leader Training, March 28, 2009. Celebration Center, First UMC. I am expecting you to have a carload of leaders ready to serve in new and exciting ways in this new quadrennuim.

Seeking to do no harm, do good and staying in love with God,

Cody

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February 17, 2009

I love to tell the story of three pastors who were having lunch together and learned that all had been facing the same problem: all three churches had bats in the attic. One pastor tried to solve the problem with a shotgun, but that didn’t work. Another pastor captured them, drove them to the country and set them free, but the bats beat him back to the church. The third pastor said, “They’re no longer a problem at my church.” “How did you get rid of them?” the others asked. “Well,” the pastor said, “I baptized them and confirmed them, and they haven’t been back since.”

The story reminds me of many churches today that have difficulty attracting and keeping new members. I was proud to be able to report at Cabinet Assessment that our district is up in worship attendance, professions of faith, risk-taking mission and service, as well as Conference Apportionments. However, there are still far too many churches in our conference that are inwardly focused rather than outwardly focused. They have self-destructive practices that seem only to address maintaining the building rather than building disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

We hear a lot today about best practices that are critical to the success and health of congregations. The term best practices refers to a leadership approach that grows out of observing and studying church leaders and congregations that are seen to be faithful and fruitful. It is a process of discerning, then, what are the best practices in those settings that can be useful for other leaders and congregations—to the end that we will help build disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

Our conference is a model for the United Methodist Church as we live out the “Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations.” These basic principles are not only impacting the vitality of our conference but, as I visit with people throughout our denomination and beyond, church leaders are catching the wave of what it means to be a radical, passionate, intentional, risk taking and extravagantly generous church in the 21^st Century.

Developing healthy and fruitful practices as church leaders is vital for pastors who are prophets in the midst of a deep recession, who are counselors to the countless people impacted by the increasing loss of jobs, and who are visionary teachers in a culture that is constantly changing. Such leaders are in tune with the spiritual/social yearning of young adults and first time visitors who seek to be in life-changing small groups and be involved in hands-on mission.

Leaders of congregations today must discover for themselves those best practices that will help dispel the hopelessness many people are feeling about their lives today while seeking to grow a church that will help them discover meaning, purpose and hope. It is essentially the practice of: transforming, gifting, calling, equipping and sending people out with news too good to keep.

One such biblical leader who modeled the kind of best practices needed today is Nehemiah. When Artaxexes gave Nehemiah permission to leave his service as the Chief Cupbearer, he had a sense of urgency. We hear these words in Nehemiah 2:18: I told them that the hand of my God has been gracious upon me, and also the words that the king had spoken to me. Then they said, “Let us start building!” So they committed themselves to the common good.

Several practices that I like about Nehemiah that speak to me about leadership today include:

Nehemiah was not an American idol; he understood his role as a visionary leader.

Nehemiah made a challenging ministry setting into a matter of prayer and fasting.

Nehemiah was determined to change the status quo while changing lives.

Nehemiah was relational and won the confidence of people so they would have a mind to work.

Nehemiah took the time to discover/develop the untapped resources of people.

Nehemiah understood he could not rebuild the walls by himself.

Nehemiah never allowed finances, depression, his appointment, detractors, new structures or systems, delays, or the past to keep him from a marvelous future.

Nehemiah understood the importance of fun, fellowship and faith to keep himself together.

May it be so — for whatever you are facing this day in your ministry — as you follow best practices in your ministry.

Lifting you up in Song, Word and Prayer as we help rebuild lives,

Cody

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January 5, 2009

Dear Colleagues,

God’s richest blessing to each of you as we start a New Year together.

I am always excited about the possibilities of a New Year and the opportunity to grow in Christ as a learning Leader. One of the most important lessons I have learned in life is that you can’t do everything and you will not be successful without the help of others. I am the kind of person who starts the New Year with a grand vision, big plans, a long list of things to accomplish and a vast amount of energy for getting it all done in the first few days. (smile)

What I am discovering about myself as a leader in a very demanding and constantly changing role, not to mention an ever-changing world, is that I need time as a spiritual leader to listen, to rest, to heal, to pray, to dream, to invite the help of others and to make it a point to do it all with great enthusiasm, fun and gratitude for the journey.

I would encourage you to read several times the following ten practical steps to consider for growing a congregation and facing challenging situations by Carol J. Gallagher in Reweaving the Sacred. I have found them to be helpful and healthy rules for a positive future.

1.) Take small steps. If any task seems too large for one person, break up the work into smaller pieces and share them with others.

2.) Take time to pray. Every day, every hour, alone or with a group – God is

listening.

3.) Share food whenever possible. Remember that the disciples knew Jesus in the breaking of bread. Our honest selves are shared as we share food together.

4.) Keep breathing. Whenever anxiety overtakes you, focus on the most normal and life-giving things—like breathing.

5.) Tell stories. Stories from our lives are rich with insight and meaning. We can often find God is at work in the midst of our lives, as we tell stories to one another.

6.) Ask for help. No one person knows everything. That’s why we live in communities. When we practice asking for help, others will know that their expertise (or lack of it) is welcome in your midst.

7.) Laugh a lot. Everything in life is easier when we laugh. Some people think they have to be serious in church. If you don’t take your self or your task too seriously, even the difficult tasks will be “do-able.”

8.) Take only the steps you need to take, make only the decisions you need to make for this part of your growth process. Don’t attempt to do everything in one day.

9.) No one should sit alone at gatherings, including you as leader. The message most of us need to see, hear and feel is that we are not alone.

10.) Call each other and thank each other regularly. Gratitude and connection are the signs of a lively relationship.

Let us go forth in this New Year taking the necessary steps to enjoy serving God and our neighbors in all we do.

In Christ who strengthens me,

Cody

Reweaving the Sacred is available from

Cokesbury for $12.80 and

Amazon for $12.48.

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March 16, 2009

Dear Friends,

Few times in the Christian year call us to reflect on transformational change like the Lenten season. Lent, as you aware, is derived from the Anglo-Saxon word lenctem, meaning spring. The word reflects the lengthening of days as we move from winter toward the summer.

As one writer suggests: The lesson of Lent is not a time of sacrifice and denial, but rather a time of preparation and anticipation – preparation for the real work to which God calls us and anticipation of the fullness of life that God promises.

And so this week…

I’m going to invite God to forgive me, tease me, renew me, and use me.

I’m going to thank the Lord for all of the challenges and blessings in my life.

I’m going to make my room in Columbia, where I will be all week, a sanctuary for spiritual refreshment.

I’m going to run and not be weary, walk and not faint.

I’m going to listen more to the wisdom of my grandchildren long distance.

I’m going to continue to pray for you and your families and the special prayers written during the Shrove

Tuesday Service.

I’m going to live to be more teachable, changeable where needed, and lovable.

I’m going to offer prayers for the leader and pastors in the conference PLD.

I’m going to ask God to stretch me to be a witness to someone under 25 to consider ordained ministry.

I’m going to be involved in ministries that eliminate poverty and injustice.

And I’m not going to allow the devil to steal my joy while doing it!

Reminders for the Journey:

Our Administrative Assistant, Nancy Esry, will be out of the office this week for spring break.

Please begin to invite and register your leadership team for the Local Church Leader Training, March 28, 2009. Celebration Center, First UMC. I am expecting you to have a carload of leaders ready to serve in new and exciting ways in this new quadrennuim.

Seeking to do no harm, do good and staying in love with God,

Cody