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CURRENT Newsletter of the Trinity-Brazos Area

July 2014

Monthly Clergy Lunch

We invite ministers to join us Tuesday, August 19, at 11:30 am at the Cat City Grill at 1208 West Magnolia Avenue in Fort Worth for the monthly Clergy Lunch. We will plan to meet monthly at this location on the third Tuesday for the next several months; they will allow us to order individually so that you can join us, even if you find you are running a few minutes late. Check out their website at www.catcitygrill.com/ for more information. (Parking available behind the building.) ____________________________________________________

THE SURPRISING LINK BETWEEN WASTING TIME AND LEADING WELL by Rev. Renée G. Hoke, Area Minister of Trinity-Brazos and Bluebonnet Areas of the Christian Church in the Southwest

Ah, the lazy days of summer! Plenty of time to kick back, sit on the porch swing, walk barefoot in the grass and catch lightning bugs in a jar. But wait… that was summer time when I was growing up. I’m just back from a week with CYFers at Gonzo, and I can promise you that the folks leading that camp were up early every morning and fell into bed exhausted after midnight. It was a great week, but not a lazy week. And several of the youth ministers at camp were leaving soon on mission trips. I know the same is true of my colleagues leading this summer at Disciples Crossing.

What happened to the lazy days of summer? John Ortberg, one of my Top Ten PTCW’s (that’s preachers, teachers and Christian writers) believes that the lack of creativity and imagination in ministry these days is the result of church leaders who don’t waste enough time.

I’ll let him explain:

“Wasting time well is an acquired skill, because there is good wasting and there is bad wasting. Bad time wasting is the hang around/watch TV/perform random online search kind that leaves you with less life than you started with. You may be doing it right now. I don’t need to say any more about that, except to stop.

“The good kind of time-wasting will actually lead you to be more connected with God and more full of life. But it’s hard to engage

in, because there are always more pressing matters. This isn’t really wasting time, of course, but our culture makes it feel as though it is.”

Ortberg lists three categories of time wasted well, and the first one is solitude.

For several years while I was a pastor in Kingwood, I would visit the Villa de Matel convent in Houston for a day of solitude. I began each day with my wonderful spiritual director Sister Adeline. She would listen to what was happening in my life and my ministry and offer guidance about how I might listen for God’s voice that day. Then I was on my own. I must admit that it took some practice for me to settle into solitude. It doesn’t come naturally to me!

Here’s Ortberg again: “Solitude is essentially a discipline of abstinence. In solitude I withdraw from relationships and noise and stimulation and see what there is when I am alone with God. The point of solitude is not what I do - it is what I don’t do. I get away from all the voices and demands of my life and find out about what my little life is like when all the distractions are removed.”

Ortberg says his own experience of solitude has been an overwhelming since of freedom. Early on in my days of solitude at the Villa, I would show up with a book and my Bible and a journal. Sister Adeline broke me of that habit. I was planning to use words to fill up all the empty space of a day alone. I didn’t understand the abstinence aspect of practicing solitude.

Next time I’ll share with you the second and third categories of wasting time well. For now I invite you to turn off your computer, your television, your cell phone and dive into some excellent, extravagant time wasting. See how your life opens up when you subtract people, noise and stimulation. See what there is when you are alone with God. Let’s discover if the time we waste this summer renews our creativity so that we can lead ministry in new directions this fall. ____________________________________________________

Belle Sophia Williams was born on Saturday, June 21, at 9:13 pm. She weighed 7 pounds and 9 ounces. Proud parents Tiff and Daryn Williams say they feel very blessed that so far she is healthy and is even sleeping in 3-hour blocks most nights. Tiff will resume duties as the Disciples Crossing Director of Programming after a short maternity leave.

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CHURCH UNIQUE CONFERENCE HELPS CHURCH LEADERS CONNECT THE DOTS

Imagine this scenario.

You walk into a church you have never attended and pick up a guest

brochure at a welcome station. On the inside flap you see a nice mission statement. Then on the next page (and the rest of the brochure) you see umpteen ministries, listed from A to double Z. As you stare at the brochure a paralytic effect ensures. “What in the world do I do next?” you momentarily wonder. Then you choose to do nothing at all.

Will Mancini, author of Church Unique, uses the guest scenario above to point out three problems for church who have no strategy that connects their mission statement to their ministries.

Too many ministry or program options.

The ministry options have no relation to each other.

The ministries themselves have no connection to the mission.

Mancini and his leadership team help congregations connect the dots. Register now for our Church Unique Conference on Thursday afternoon, September 4, at University Christian Church. Just $75 for one person to attend, but a better option is to have two attend for a total of $125 (averaging $62.50 per person) and an even better option is to have three attend for $150 total (averaging $50 each).

Online registration is available at https://church-unique-sep4.eventbrite.com/?ref=estw or contact the Trinity-Brazos Area office at tba@ccsw.org or 817-831-4442 to register .

Trinity-Brazos Area: Then and Now by Anna Lee Caudry, Area Treasurer from 2009 to 2014 Report dated April 12, 2014

Renée Hoke, Trinity-Brazos Area Minister, asked that I report to you on the years I have been in office and my projections for the future. I would say the early years were true darkness and now the light is shining brightly.

Some of the improvements which have been made are:

We now have ministerial leadership in the elected officers of the TBA. I think the ideal situation would be to rotate ministerial and lay people as moderators. Sometimes a lay person can press an issue at the Regional level that would be uncomfortable or dangerous for a minister.

Program Opportunities - From zero to sixty in one year!!!! The program opportunities are great and participation should be measured as we do in our churches – only a small percentage will participate and that should be okay. Those who participate will benefit. If you keep offering different ideas, more will come.

The movement of the camp responsibility to Disciples Crossing will negatively impact the financial statement but will relieve the workload of the office staff.

Committees are functioning and individual initiatives are being promulgated to everyone’s benefit. Examples include Habitat for Humanity and spiritual groups for ministers.

A fun Area Assembly as compared to one with 20 people who were obliged to be there.

An active, functioning executive committee that handles day-to-day issues and provides ideas, leadership and guidance to staff.

The RDMC has provided revenue and served several hundred people in the last seven years. The future of our largest tenant is cloudy at best and may present a challenge in late 2014.

The financial health of TBA has improved greatly by creating an austere budget and managing it.

In my humble opinion, the Area today is productive, welcoming, open and vibrant. Great things will continue to happen due to the leadership of Renée and the team that surrounds her. It is mandatory that the personal relationships that are being built be maintained, and I believe success depends on those relationships.

On a personal note, I want to thank everyone who has mentored me during my term. The value of the friendships I have made cannot be measured. The influence of the ministers and lay people I have served beside have shaped my experience and will stay with me always. It has been a pleasure and honor to serve the TBA.

Peace and blessings to you all.

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“Energy MPS was very professional in handling our energy efficient upgrade. The entire project went very smoothly and did not interrupt our schedule at all.”

Energy MPS is a local company that focuses on energy efficient upgrades. Their goal is to help facilities reduce their carbon footprint. They want to help people become better stewards. Their slogan is “helping you achieve a more energy efficient tomorrow, today” For more information contact them at 254-231-7909, info@energymps.com or view their web at www.energymps.com

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Trinity-Brazos Area Officers for 2014-2015

Moderator Megan Ammann, Senior Minister of River Oaks Christian Church, Fort Worth Moderator Elect Evangelina Perez, Associate Minister of Kayros Christian Church, Arlington Leadership Chair Alan Lobaugh, Senior Minister of Azle Christian Church, Azle Finance Chair Rick Seeds, Member of Azle Christian Church, Azle Treasurer Cheryl Appling, Business Administrator of First Christian Church, Wichita Falls Secretary Candace Martin Sheppard, Member of Lakewood Christian Church, Waco ____________________________________________________

No More Sermons from Lake Wobegon: A Workshop for Preachers

Who Want to Take the Bible Seriously Save the Date: January 9-10, 2015

Inn on the Creek, Salado

We all love Garrison Keillor, but on Sunday morning people want and deserve something more than charming little stories. The “something more” they seek is an encounter with the living God - an event that grows out of the preacher’s serious and sustained engagement with Scripture. This workshop will feature:

1. a rigorous-yet-practical plan for weekly exegesis of the biblical text;

2. concrete strategies for exploring the imaginative space “between” the biblical text and the congregational situation; and

3. careful reflection on model sermons by biblical preachers like Walter Brueggemann and Barbara Brown Taylor.

Register at tba@ccsw.org or call 817-831-4442 for more information.

First Christian Church in Temple completes Energy Efficient Upgrade and reduces their Carbon Foot Print

Temple, Texas (June 25, 2014) – First Christian Church has recently significantly reduced its energy consumption with an energy efficient upgrade from Energy MPS (Energy Management Professional Services).

Energy MPS worked with Dr. Don Lynn, (Pastor at First Christian Church) and the church board to plan and complete this energy efficient upgrade. The upgrade completed by Energy MPS is the equivalent of removing 51 tons of carbon dioxide annually. “This is like the congregation planting 14 acres of trees each year, these are impressive numbers” said Matt Graham of Energy MPS. First Christian Church will save over $11,000 annually with this project.

Here is what Dr. Don Lynn had to say about this project. “Our Church Board decided to complete the energy efficient upgrade due to our increased operating expenses. We looked at the numbers and discussed the outcome. We know that energy rates will continue to increase. We wanted to be better stewards of what God has entrusted to us.” First Christian Church also houses a day care facility. Director Rita Morrelli stated this, “This project has provided us and the children who attend our facility a brighter environment. Our facility now has a cleaner look inside and outside. Safety is always an important issue with any child care facility and Energy MPS has helped us accomplish all of this.”

Matt Graham, of Energy MPS, added this, “With today’s technology we are able to help facilities like this reduce their environmental impact and save money. This project was a great example of both. First Christian Church did not compromise, they were able to positively impact their bottom line and the environment. This local church wants to be able to give back to the community and they will have the opportunity to this and more.”

Dr. Don Lynn also stated, “Our members wanted to reduce our carbon footprint and show our local community that we care. We want to ‘GO GREEN’ and this project allowed us to do just that and it will continue to allow us as a church body to be able to provide more money for missions and ministry in the future.” “Dr. Lynn and our church board are forward thinkers, they are always looking for ways to reduce our consumption so we can give more.” said Rita Morrelli.

Matt Graham, Energy MPS added this, “It is always great to work with people who care, not only about their bottom line, but about the future, about our children and the environment” Energy MPS worked with our schedule to complete this upgrade” stated Dr. Lynn. Rita Morrelli said,

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TBA/BBA CONGREGATIONS IN SEARCH AND CALL

Bethany Christian Church, Austin - Seeking pulpit supply

Central Christian Church, Austin - Eric Gates called as Senior Minister

Central Christian Church, Killeen - Candidate interviews

First Christian Church, Burnet - Interim extended, search resumes soon

First Christian Church, Victoria - Vision planning, search resumes soon

Horseshoe Bay Church - Candidate interviews

Round Rock Christian Church - Interim interviews

South Shore Christian Church, Corpus Christi - Joel Saucedo called as Senior Minister

Western Hills Christian Church, San Antonio - Interim interviews

WestWind Church, Keller - Interim interviews

Willow Park Christian Church, San Antonio - Pulpit supply

For more information on these churches, contact Rev. Renée Hoke at rhoke@ccsw.org.

COMING EVENTS IN TBA: SAVE THE DATE!

Jul 7-12 (Sun-Sat) - Eighter's

Jul 7-12 (Mon-Sat) - Chi Rho II

Jul 12 (Sat) - grant application deadline (New Church, Reconciliation, Transformation); considered by TBA Board on Aug 23

Jul 15 (Tues) - contributions due toward $50,000 goal for Habitat for Humanity Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project

Jul 21-25 (Mon-Fri) - JYF II

Aug 1 (Sat) - Volunteer names to be submitted to Chris Wilson for Habitat for Humanity Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project for background checks to be completed

Aug 1-3 (Sat-Mon) - Grand Camp II

Aug 9 (Sat), 10 am - TBA Administrative Council

Aug 19 (Tues), 11:30 am - TBA Clergy Lunch at Cat City Grill

Aug 23 (Sat), 10 am - TBA Board

Sep 4 (Thurs), 1-7 pm - Church Unique Workshop at University Christian Church

Sep 13 (Sat) - grant application deadline (New Church, Reconciliation, Transformation); considered by TBA Board on Oct 25

Oct 5 (Sun) - Opening Ceremony for Habitat for Humanity Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project

Oct 5-11 (Sun-Sat) - Habitat for Humanity Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project

Oct 11 (Sat) - Closing Ceremony for Habitat for Humanity Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project

Oct 11 (Sat), 10 am - TBA Administrative Council

Oct 25 (Sat), 10 am - TBA Board

RDMC = Riverside Disciples Ministry Center, 1000 Bonnie Brae Avenue, Fort Worth, TX 76111

For more information on upcoming events, contact the Trinity-Brazos Area at 817-831-4442 or tba@ccsw.org.

Trinity-Brazos Area of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the Southwest 1000 Bonnie Brae Avenue, Fort Worth TX 76111-4301

817-831-4442 / 817-831-4446 Fax / www.tbaccsw.org / tba@ccsw.org

New Trinity-Brazos Area Pastors

We welcome pastors called to new positions in the Trinity-Brazos Area: Paul Klaus, Senior Minister, Richland Hills Christian Church, Fort Worth; and Will Brown, Ministry Intern, First Christian Church, Wichita Falls.

Current Information

Please pass this along to anyone who might like to keep up with Trinity-Brazos Area activities. To receive the Current directly, contact the TBA office at tba@ccsw.org or 817-831-4442 to be added to the email distribution list or to the list for a copy delivered by the U.S. Postal Service.