Kris Nordstrom
Weekly Report #1
9-21-06
This practicum was discernment, prayer, admnistrative action related.
I spent Thursday morning learning about humility and the importance of ensuring we look to fulfill God's will. I think it is easy for us to feel that whatever seems to be good or great is God's will and conversely, whatever seems to be a setback or stumbling block is not.
In the case of the First United Methodist Church in Marion Indiana (FUMC), the will of God is not clear regarding the use of a piece of property it owns and currently leases out. The leasee would like to sublet, the church would like to terminate its agreement with the leasee and start an inner city outreach for disadvantaged youth and young adults. Currently both sides seem to be at an impass. The tenant is not interested in any form or fashion in what the church's plans are or how they might benefit the community. The church I believe is convinced that the building should be used for the outreach program.
As I spent time with Pastor Kaye, I learned that to her, it is not a question of what the church wants or even what she wants. She is more concerned with the will of God and being granted the discernmaant needed to understand His will. It very well could be that the outreach is not the plan God has laid before the congregation. If that is the case, it is ultimately doomed to failure, or mediocrity at best. Further in that line of thought is the ralization that maybe the hardness of the tenant's heart is exactly the will of God being used to redirect them.
Or on the other hand, is it possible that this is a chance for the first person reached by the outreach be the tenant. Faced with this quandry, Pastor Kaye has seen it fit to begin a prayer walk project. Those who feel so moved are to walk the in question property and pray earnestly that God's will be shown to all parties involved and that throughout the process God's love in Christ be exibited clearly.
I feel that given the situation, the prayer walk idea is one of great merit. I wonder if more decisions, both urgent and mundane, were made in this prayerful manner how the world would look to us.
Your comments are welcom and appreciated.
Kris
Weekly Report #1
9-21-06
This practicum was discernment, prayer, admnistrative action related.
I spent Thursday morning learning about humility and the importance of ensuring we look to fulfill God's will. I think it is easy for us to feel that whatever seems to be good or great is God's will and conversely, whatever seems to be a setback or stumbling block is not.
In the case of the First United Methodist Church in Marion Indiana (FUMC), the will of God is not clear regarding the use of a piece of property it owns and currently leases out. The leasee would like to sublet, the church would like to terminate its agreement with the leasee and start an inner city outreach for disadvantaged youth and young adults. Currently both sides seem to be at an impass. The tenant is not interested in any form or fashion in what the church's plans are or how they might benefit the community. The church I believe is convinced that the building should be used for the outreach program.
As I spent time with Pastor Kaye, I learned that to her, it is not a question of what the church wants or even what she wants. She is more concerned with the will of God and being granted the discernmaant needed to understand His will. It very well could be that the outreach is not the plan God has laid before the congregation. If that is the case, it is ultimately doomed to failure, or mediocrity at best. Further in that line of thought is the ralization that maybe the hardness of the tenant's heart is exactly the will of God being used to redirect them.
Or on the other hand, is it possible that this is a chance for the first person reached by the outreach be the tenant. Faced with this quandry, Pastor Kaye has seen it fit to begin a prayer walk project. Those who feel so moved are to walk the in question property and pray earnestly that God's will be shown to all parties involved and that throughout the process God's love in Christ be exibited clearly.
I feel that given the situation, the prayer walk idea is one of great merit. I wonder if more decisions, both urgent and mundane, were made in this prayerful manner how the world would look to us.
Your comments are welcom and appreciated.
Kris
posted by Kris Nordstrom at 1:22 PM
2 Comments:
Thank you for your post Tiff. I appreciate your input and think you have madw a great point regarding the early church and the practice of prayer. God Bless
K
Kris.
I really echo what tiff said...
and i remember you saying prayer as one of the main disciplines of a pastor when we had the class discussion...
I just think that this prayer walk is great because it is not only quiet time in prayer but it is also just connecting with God in a new way...
and regretibly, i must admit if i am not moving while in prayer...i can sometimes fall asleep...ha!!
i hope you have a great weekend and i really appreciate what you have to say on your blog!
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