This translation is not completely accurate as it was automatically generated by a computer.
Powered by
This is the sixth installment of a yearlong series that will follow newly appointed United Methodist clergy as they begin their ministry.
By Joey Butler*
3:00 P.M. EST January 20, 2011
The Rev. Brian Rossbert leads prayer during children’s time at New
Bethel United Methodist Church in Pegram, Tenn., in October 2010. A UMNS
photo by Kathy L. Gilbert.
View in Photo Gallery
Not long ago, they were focusing on midterm exams. Six months into
their ministry, clergy in their first appointments have faced another
midterm exam of sorts.
They’ve had time to get to know their congregations and begin
learning what it means to be a pastor. But, of course, they still have
much to learn. A group of first-appointment pastors shared their
thoughts with United Methodist News Service on how they feel about
their ministry at this stage.
Could you share your favorite moment of your ministry so far?
Mara Bailey, university minister, Nebraska Wesleyan University:
I have to pick two. The first is having two students say “yes” to
begin their exploring candidacy stage in our conference, and the great
conversations that have led up to this decision. Second, having a
freshman student who is so excited to live out his faith on campus and
share that faith with his peers. He has come to me wanting to revive
our former United Methodist Student Organization that started in 2007
with a lot of excitement. Unfortunately, much of that excitement
graduated that same year, and the group has dwindled ever since. Thanks
to his efforts, the group has now met with a core group of about 10
students who plan to engage the campus next semester through new
worship experiences, service experiences, leadership development and
Bible studies led by the students in this core group.
Amanda Baker, associate pastor, Calvary United Methodist Church, Wichita, Kan.: I'm
trying my hand at a little more teaching than I've done in the past,
and people have been gracious in their receptions. I've also come to
love the "interruptions" in my week, the times when people pop in my
office to say hello, to ask a question or to tell me something they've
been thinking about.
Stacey Harwell, minister of community building, Centenary United Methodist Church, Macon, Ga.:
My favorite moment in ministry thus far was the lighting of the
Christmas star on the front of the church. At one point, I climbed the
steps in front of the church and looked out at the beautifully diverse
faces of our congregation. I watched as wealthy women in furs sang
next to homeless men, and at that moment, when the area was dark except
the illumination of the candles, the differences between us really
faded away.
The Rev. Stacey Harwell delivers the message at Mercer University¹s 2010
Christmas tree lighting ceremony. A UMNS photo courtesy of Mercer
University.
View in Photo Gallery
Braulio Torres, associate pastor, Millian Memorial United Methodist Church, Rockville, Md.:
Back in September, we had Millian’s church spiritual retreat. During
the retreat, we had four workshops as a guideline to help us answer
four questions: Why church? Why Millian? Why Christ? Why me? This was
what I considered one of my favorite moments because I got the
opportunity to learn Millian’s history and to get to know more deeply
some of the members of the church. We also had the opportunity to
interact, worshipping and playing games together.
Brian Rossbert, pastor, New Bethel and Centenary United Methodist churches, Pegram, Tenn.:
It's hard to name one favorite moment because there are so many. Each
time we celebrate the Lord's Supper is a special moment for me. That
gathering around Christ's table is our opportunity to receive God's
grace in a special way.
What’s been your greatest challenge?
Bailey: The greatest challenge has been figuring
out how to do things (worship, especially) in a way that is applicable
to students, yet upholds the university’s church-related tradition.
Baker: The adjustment to having (my husband) Ross
and (me) both in full-time ministry has had its real challenges. We are
incredibly blessed that my schedule allows (our son) James to be in
day care part time, but keeping everything in balance is precarious at
best. My church is so friendly and welcoming, which takes a huge stress
off for me, and Ross' schedule is very predictable, which offers James a
lot of stability.
Harwell: The biggest challenge of working in any
type of ministry with people who are addicted to drugs and alcohol is
relapse. Relapse is part of recovery, but I am learning how not to take
it personally when they do. The hardest days for me are days when I
know that there is only so much we can do for some . . . people. The
immense need in the world sometimes hits me. The immense gap
between the need and the resources available always hits
me. Institutionally, I think the church is unsure of what deacons
do or how to treat us. That's a big challenge for me. I feel like I
am constantly explaining my calling and my particular job just because
it's rare.
Torres: My greatest challenge is to keep learning and growing spiritually to become a better servant of God.
Rossbert: One of my biggest challenges was dealing
with the death of five persons in my first five months at one of my
churches, including a grandmother and her grandson in the same week.
There was a sense of great loss to negotiate, but also the hope that we
have in the Resurrection. Weathering the storm of five funerals led us
as a community to a deeper sense of our identity as a family
atmosphere.
Has anything taken you by surprise?
Bailey: Feeling like I was the only person
experiencing some of the struggles in the campus ministry setting and
then meeting colleagues at a recent conference who go through the exact
same things.
Harwell: I was surprised at how active my
congregation is. I am really blessed with a congregation that has an
activist mindset – they come to me with their dreams and their visions
for ministry. All I have to do is to listen, help be part of the
molding process, and then help us as a church to live into their
vision!
Torres: One of the things I have learned in
ministry is that we never know what to expect, which is a good thing,
because that means we are depending on God at all times. One of the
things that took me by surprise was our Christmas dinner. Our church
prepared the activity and the dinner expecting 50-100 people to attend.
Then when the time came, we hosted approximately 250 people that
night! It was a good surprise to see our fellowship hall filled
with people from our neighborhood, and the most amazing thing was that
we were able to feed the entire crowd.
Rossbert: Waking up at 3:30 in the morning realizing
that the worship service for that day needed to be reworked was a bit
of a surprise. I am thankful for the inspiration of the Holy
Spirit and most times, I’m happy to follow where it leads, but
sometimes I wish the inspiration would come at more "regular" hours.
How do you feel about your ministry six months in? What do you look forward to in the coming months?
The Rev. Braulio Torres
Bailey: Overall, I feel pretty good about my
ministry six months in. I am amazed at how often my work refreshes my
personal faith, which to me is a good indicator that God has me where I
am called. I am most looking forward to seeing how the next semester
starts off since I feel a little more familiar with what’s going on
around here. I am excited to experience the course of a full academic
year, wishing the seniors well as they move on to the next stage of
life and preparing for the next incoming class.
Baker: I am incredibly grateful to say that I've
been placed in a great ministry match for me. I really, truly, honestly
love the stuff I get to do as an associate pastor at Calvary. It's
been fun getting to know people and the rhythms of life for this
congregation, but I'm remembering that's a task that really does take a
full year to have a full picture of it.
Harwell: For the first six months, I was able to say,
"Sorry, I'm new" a lot and get away with it. I feel like I can't do
that anymore. The first six months was a beautiful honeymoon, but I
think this particular appointment is a good marriage for both of
us and I think we're going to have that "newlywed glow” for a
while. I look forward to being comfortable in the routine of the
church instead of constantly learning “what we've done” during this
time . . . in years past.
Torres: I feel blessed and privileged for the
opportunity to work with this congregation and participate in their
ministries, but most importantly I commend them for their passion in
doing those ministries. I am looking forward for the blessing that God
has already prepared for us as community and for the neighborhood around
us.
Rossbert: The next six months will be exciting and
challenging as we look forward to the future of our life together in
community. We will be asking hard questions of ourselves, and it is my
hope that we step out in faith to follow where God is leading us.
*Butler is editor of young adult content for United Methodist Communications, Nashville, Tenn.
News media contact: Joey Butler, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org.
Korean News
About UMC.org
RSS Feed
Press Center
Contact Us