Crazy - Perhaps

Yesterday, as I was standing at the copier waiting for a few more copies to come off the press for a Finance meeting at the church I spied out the front door of the office a few youths with a video camera and a bike positioned at the top of the stairs from the street into the church parking lot.

I admit we have one of those signs that prohibits any kind of skating, biking, etc on church property. I also freely admit that we sometimes provide a safer environment to allow some stupidity than other areas of the city, and so I am a little more relaxed about all this.

So, as this young man was on his bike at the top of the stairs I noted that the rail along the side of the stairs was pretty tight on the concrete block wall. Even more dangerous is the fact that the railing is straight while the block wall is stair stepped down. That is to say, trying a rail ride on the pegs of the bike would invariably end up in a major calamity.

I quietly walked out to the boys, where the cameraman was sure to turn the camera on me to get the reaction I had to their coming stunt. I simply checked in with the boys to see what their plan was...simply to ride the stairs down, and I admitted my fear that they were going to try something truly stupid and railride the obviously problematic handrail/stepped block wall combination.

As I turned my back to walk back inside the young man on the bike made a tremendous jump and cleared the approximately 12 steps in a single jump. He did not ride the rail and he did not simply ride the stairs down.

No injuries, to him, or anyone else. I often wonder what the real insurance concerns are with this, how liability plays in, and whether I am doing anything of real worth with the young men and women who come to our church (or any church I have served) to find a safe and somewhat interesting landscape to try their tricks.

What is your position, understanding, etc?

The Neighbors

What kind of relationship do you have with your neighbors?

Then think about what kind of relationship you have with the neighbors of your church or work.

I got to thinking about it a little more today. We had outside worship, at a strange hour, with lots of animals, dogs, cats, a bunny and a horned toad. You see today was World Communion Sunday, and for the life of St. Andrew UMC, we also celebrated the Feast of St. Francis with a Campout last night at the church, followed by a Blessing of the Animals during worship today.

We don't really know the names of our neighbors. We prayed for them all last year about this time as we walked the neighborhood. But we didn't meet them at the door to say hi. (There were a few chance encounters of folks out to check things). We have since hosted a wedding reception for our most immediate next door neighbor, but don't have much we have done to engage all of our over-the-fence neighbors, or even those within two blocks of the church.

Part of the communication plan for this coming year probably ought to involve something to engage those neighbors, so we can communicate with them, about special events, and how to manage those things (including perhaps the HS and College Football games held at the HS across the Street), as well as concerns and issues as some have noted in the past - like sprinkler (or lack thereof) issues, and trees that may be fall hazards.

Have you engaged your neighbors at work or church? Do you have a plan of action for this? What has worked, and been most effective in talking with these the most immediate of you neighbors?

Peace,

Pastor's Corner February 2011

Pastors Corner February 2011

Recap and preview.

During the first few months I was here at St. Andrew UMC I asked a few questions about how we do things, and what we want to be doing. You all told me about all kinds of things, from money to maintenance, worship to outreach and beyond. We have worked on all of these, and are continuing to do so, and I think I have done a pretty good job of recounting the stories of what we have done with money, maintenance and outreach through the telling of “One More”, as told in the January Voice newsletter, and in more complete detail in the Pastor’s report for Charge Conference 2010. However, we set some very particular goals for what we wanted to be doing in worship. I heard from you some of the areas of interest, and wrote them down. I want to give you a bit of a recap of what we have already covered, and what the plan is to cover the other topics and scriptures you asked to learn more about in the years ahead of when we did that survey during worship.

After talking with our youth and boiling down the requirements for a “church” to exist to three simple things - Something to worship, worshipers, and the act of worship itself. I think that is the core of what we want to do. We want to be worshipers worshiping the One to be worshiped, the Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We are definitely aided in the process by the fact that God exists, and is longing for us to gather and worship together. We gather in many different forms and locations throughout any given week, but it is the Sunday morning gathering, where we have tried to take what you all presented as areas of interest, form worship themes around them, and develop our acts of devotion accordingly, in music, prayers, discernment (by way of meditative thoughts and the sermons) and service (we move from the time of worship into more active service in the week ahead, as well as the service we provide as ushers, musicians, worship leaders, and technicians).

We began each of the last two years with celebrations of Epiphany (the time when we remember the coming of the Magi to the manger), and a baptismal remembrance service, where we take the water to ourselves and accept our calling to ministry. 2012 will follow in this same pattern. 2010 then started at the beginning as we covered Genesis, with particular focus on the creation stories, Abram (Abraham), and Joseph (and his amazing coat). With Easter arriving early last year on the first Sunday in April we covered traditional texts for Palm Sunday and Easter, and followed that up with a series on Death and Resurrection, in the healings of Jesus and the Disciples, and a look back at the death of David and Bathsheba’s firstborn child. We recalled the birth of the church with Pentecost, and looked at the deeper meaning of what it means when we say we worship a Triune God, on Trinity Sunday. The Summer months took us back into more traditional Lectionary texts, and brought out some of our brightest stars to shine as guest preachers, hearing from David Seibert, Chris Odell, and Dave Goss. To be fair, we also heard from Brad Jones and Scott Davis during the year, and Dave Goss helped lead us into the journey’s of Paul, after an introductory sermon, Dave came to share about the power of conversion. In October, we examined the power of the Exodus story, leading to Christ the King Sunday, and into Advent.

All of that covers where we began in 2010 to the current time. We are currently looking at the Psalms and discerning some of the many facets of what it is we can learn from the Psalms in 2011. Following Ash Wednesday we will delve into the Spiritual Gifts, and Spiritual Gifts discernment. As the year quickly speeds away we enter into Holy Week, celebrating Passion Sunday, and Easter, followed by a series on the Book of Judges, which seems appropriate after we have just discovered our spiritual strengths to find out how the spiritual strengths of the Judges were also those things that led to their demise, and how to care for our gifts to not fall into that same trap. We will look at the development and use of Spiritual gifts during this time, and realize we are at the doorstep of Pentecost, Trinity Sunday, and into a Summer tumble through some of the larger characters of the Old Testament, Ruth, Esther, and David. The plan for the Fall is to see how Jesus fulfills the prophecies of the Old Testament. Before we enter into the wonder of Christ the King, Advent, Epiphany and Baptism of the Lord, we will take one last look back at the Old Testament for a story request from the Prophets of Baal on Mt Carmel with Elijah.

2012 will offer up a look at Leviticus, and several of the Creation Stories of scripture, including Genesis and John, with Ash Wednesday stashed in between. Palm/Passion Sunday leads us right into Easter, and what appears to be a “Pastor’s Discretion” segment in the preaching schedule, just before Pentecost and Trinity Sunday. The Summer will find us perusing the many parables of Jesus, before we look at the Spiritual Disciplines (for those who like to get a jump start on things, you may want to pick a copy of Richard Foster’s Celebration of Discipline to read before we hit the Fall of 2012). We then conclude the Calendar year with Christ the King, and Advent.

All of this is to alert you to where we have been, what we have ahead, and the reminder of the covenant we share, to develop our discipleship through the learning and understanding of scripture. I realize that for some my style of preaching is a little different. I am not one who is prone to giving answers, but rather raising questions. My hope is that you will leave with more questions than you came in with on a Sunday morning, and that that energy to discover and challenge those questions will spur you into action for Christ and the Gospel. In that way, many of my sermons feel like they are left right at the part where I “just get going”. My desire is to leave that sense of energy and unfulfilled promise as part of your entry into a new week.

Sincerely,

David Camphouse

Witnessing

Have you ever been convicted?

You know that deep turning of your soul that reminds you of a particular action you did or should have done.

I had that experience just now. The doorbell rang, and it wasn't the very wonderful and gracious lady who has provided meals for my sick wife, child and myself for the past few days with another kind offering of great food. My daughter ran to the door and pulled back the curtain, and it was young men dressed in shirt and tie, holding pamphlets and Scripture books.

I opened the door wary and yet with enthusiastic greeting. I was immediately set-upon to shill the church these young men attend. I asked if they would then be coming to my church, as I am a pastor, too. This of course caught them offguard, shoved a few pamphlets and treated to silence and quick looks at one another as they formed the next step in their strategy.

Out came those most carefully applied words of traditional evangelism in the last 40 years, "If you were to die tonight, would be assured that you were going to Heaven."

It was at that moment that I lost my sense of decorum, laughed quite boisterously and said, "Really, that's your opening? You really need to work on that."

I did conclude with, "Yes, I am a pastor. Yes, I am assured I am going to Heaven. Thank you." Then I shut the door.

My wife, being the ever-faithful ecumenist, offered her apologetics and tried to remind me of what these young men were really trying to do. And I applaud her greatly for this, knowing full well, that if it had been her, I would have been attempting to redeem them at that moment as well.

She then offered this great line, "How scared of God do you have to be to go door to door trying to get others to be so scared of God that they would come to your church?"

And then it hit me. The moment of conviction fell upon my poor little head, and I think I know what I need to do in the next few weeks.

I had prayed for our neighborhood over the past year, and I have mentioned that I need to go visit with our neighbors. I haven't done it yet, and the time has come. God has whomped me over the head with this kind of reminder, that I have something else to offer, with an outstanding church.

I expect to spend time in the next few weeks going to our immediate back fence neighbors and saying hi, introducing myself, and asking what we can be doing to be better neighbors. I might get laughed at. I expect to get yelled at, because we have not done what some of our neighbors have "demanded" that we do. There are old wounds from the church, both ours and others.

At the end of it all, I want to remind folks that I am not there to convert them. The truth is God does that job. Mine is to help them find fellowship, and a place of sanctuary with our common space, the fence and community we share. This means we are present in those moments to help birth transforming love.

As for what I might do about the church that came visiting, my mind is still spinning.

Book Signing 1 week later

Book signing redux
Thanks to all of our authors who showed up for the local author book signing November 18th, in our fellowship hall.
-Whitney Hankinson
-Katie Cushman
-Daniel Wilcox
-Evelyn and David Dabritz
-BJ Scott
-Jennifer Best
-Rudy Federman
-John McReynolds

These authors were greeted by some nice finger foods, and wonderful people to listen to their brief personal story and introduction of their book(s). All of the authors were willing to sign their books, and tell a little more in one-on-one conversations at the author tables.
We have interest in doing another one, and are in conversations with some big name authors to help headline our next event.
We have copies of the books from the authors who were present in our church library, and contact information if you would like a copy for yourself.

Thanks for supporting your local authors and the joy of reading.

Letter to the authors who attended, listed above.

Dear _______,

Thank you for celebrating the written works of several of our local authors in the Santa Maria Valley and surrounding areas. St. Andrew United Methodist Church was pleased to have gathered such a wonderful array of authors, and story materials.

In the days that followed, I heard from many who attended who wondered how we could manage to do this again, and be sure to get more people involved. As you heard I hope that we can do this again, and I had a few ideas about how to get more folks to come out and hear from our authors in the area.

I hope that you will be able to join us at that time. I was excited to see that several of the authors with us had new works coming out within the next few months, and I hope we can profile some of the new works on hand, as well as some more authors.

In order to help us grow this event, I hope you will share with your friends, the next time we gather. Additionally, in an effort to attract more authors, I would welcome any new names of people in the area. I have heard of two authors from as far away as Santa Barbara, including Thom Steinbeck, and Sue Grafton.

May you enjoy your writing, and thank you so much for coming to share with all of us. I had a great time, and I know those who attended did as well.

Sincerely,
David Camphouse

Still More On Being Here

Because I joined the blogosphere to be part of a conversation, and wrote my own thoughts out, I struggle with the ego that goes along with that kind of mentality.

I want to hear your voices, and have sometimes asked for your opinions, and if I knew how I would shout for them from time to time.

The reality is I need to hear them, not so much for affirmation, or dissent, but simply as a way of engaging my own thoughts. I am a dialectic learner, and crave the discourse to comprehend my own thoughts. Most people would even say that I need other people just so I can take the time to clarify my thoughts through refining the dialogue matrix.

Funny, how that came to be this morning's understanding, as I wrote on a fellow blogger's post about what kind of reading I seek most.

The flip side of this is that because of Facebook and Twitter, and the more frequent response value I gain there, I am finding myself drawn with my time and my posts, of questions, comments, and insights to those media, and leaving this for those things that need the larger space of working out my thoughts (and some might say my salvation) with fear and trembling.

Peace,

Why I Got Involved

When I started blogging, it was most notably for myself. I wanted to be able to document my journey, for myself, and for others. I knew I had things I wanted to remember, and scribble down, but found I never returned to my notes for much more than once every 10 years. But with type, I could have it easily accessible, and searchable, and I would remember it better, because it came from me, rather than my rambling scribbles of someone else's monologue from a class.

But, that alone could have been achieved through a random missive email, or keeping some sort of journal, to be published later (even if I kept it as a Word Document, or series thereof). There was something else. I had people I watched, and listened to through their blogs. I wanted to have a touchpad of my own to share and springboard ideas.

You see, I had this breakthrough the other night watching House. My wife had commented that I always seem to ask for more than one opinion on topics. I was sitting there watching House, and remembered a comment Cuddy had made to House some episodes before. She remarked that he needed the other people on his team to help filter his own thinking, and bounce ideas off. I need the same thing. Since I am a borderline introvert/extrovert I tend to do this in two ways, through conversations in person, and conversations online.

I have to say, it is one of the reasons I engage in Facebook, Twitter, Email, Blogs, Buzz, MySpace and more. I use it to develop, create and discern ideas, as well as offer what little wisdom or hope I might have to another. A confounding thought, especially when paired with the reality that at this moment "Theology after Google" is currently happening at Claremont School of Theology, and I am not there. Seems like that would have been the right place, looking to the future of community, and theology.

Then again I am also missing my Lectionary Study Group, at Aldersgate Retreat Center in Pacific Palisades, where I gain much of the same, but with a greater emphasis on the traditions and past of theology, to speak to the present moment. (And by the way, the Hospitali-TEA is awesome!!!)

I miss them both. Maybe that's why I am stuck here banging these thoughts out on the computer keyboard, rather than bouncing them around with those wonderful folks. Thank goodness for those who have engaged me from this vantage point this week.

Connecting Discipleship

There are two things I have had heavy on my heart of late. Connecting better, and more often; and building Disciples.

I am sure the two are related, and I am still stumped at this early hour about what makes them so interrelated.

I am reminded of the Covenant Discipleship Model

The Top Arm is Works of Mercy

The Bottom Arm is Works of Piety

The Arm to the Left is Inward Works

The Arm to the Right is Outward Works

Now for the internal conversation I need to have about where Websites, Facebook Pages, Blogs and Twitter feeds intersect these Works from Covenant Discipleship. At the end of the day I want to build new Disciples, and Disciples who are deepening their faith.

I see what is there, and for a guy who is prone to seeing the connections, and looking at things sideways, I am struggling with the relationships between these two areas of interest, and still am seeing or comprehending what I need to in order to help others understand.

Suggestions, ideas, or how you see these coming together would be helpful.

Thought you ought to know

Some pieces that caught my attention today.

I do love my Coldstone Ice Cream

I also love my Social Media.

I might want to do something good and productive with each.

Giving to Make-a-Wish Foundation and making the Social Media Connections work better makes good sense to me. Check the links for details

Question of the Day

What does it mean to you to "welcome children in the name of Jesus"?

Mark 9:30-37

Getting out of the Way Pt. 2

I just wanted to add this bit from the UM Portal:

AGING WELL: What younger folks wish older folks would learn

I remember one such type of gathering as part of VBS one year at Santa Barbara FUMC. While the children were all off doing their VBS thing, the adults had a regular Wednesday night Bible Study, and the Youth Group met every week on Tuesday. THis week, we all came Monday-Thursday for study and something along the lines of the regular discussion fused with VBS materials.

However, for Wednesday night, both the adult Bible study and the youth group met in the Asbury Room and shared what it was like to have been through milestone moments in our lives, like getting our driver's license, first date, etc. And then we compared notes on where we wanted to see the church go in the future.

Helpful and encouraging times. It is that kind of intergenerational interaction I want to be building into the first service at St. Andrew UMC. I have found that the best way to keep children and youth in the church when they are old enough to decide for themselves is to involve them in church from the outset, rather than shuffle them off into separate quarters before or part-way through the service.

Maybe we can make it work. My sermons may take some more energy and some better prep to be engaging for all. But, be it known here and now - I take my cues from Hope UMC in Torrance that proudly proclaims "Noisy Children Welcome"

Getting out of the Way

Yesterday I was watching my twitter feed, and Steve Heyduck posted something that grabbed my attention. I had a gut reaction, and I failed to complete the thought in 140 characters, and digest the conversation with any real strength.

It started like this:

@steveheyduck: For the UMC to take seriously raising up young leaders, we who are 45+ will have to be willing to get out of the way. #umc

@revcamp: @steveheyduck getting out of the way only helps if you are identifying and guiding to that point #umyc #umc

I don't want our leaders now to get out of the way to take seriously raising up young leaders. To me that sounds an awful lot like "In order for our children to grow up we need to die." Now, I realize that statement may be overdramatizing the issue, but I have seen it acted out that way.

It may be that Steve means "get out of the way" in the sense of providing actual leadership opportunities, with real responsibility, and accountability for failure, accolades for achievement, and listening to our ideas as we begin to think out new plans for the future. I hope that is it.

After watching some more of the extended dialogue (durn it there are not threaded feeds on Twitter - a la Facebook and Gmail) Mike Lindstrom responded with some of these thoughts.

1. @jereasons @steveheyduck I agree about ego - will we let younger ones cast some vision and move "our" church fwd or will we be speed bumps?about 5 hours ago from TweetDeck in reply to jereasons
2. @steveheyduck Okay - just want to be clear. As a soon to be 45 yo I'm passionate about moving into God's vision w/ others (I abhor ladders)about 6 hours ago from TweetDeck in reply to steveheyduck
3. @methoblog (and @steveheyduck) 45 year old clergy not ready to retire (and have vision) can work w/ yng ldrs who lead - join w/ not jump out

Which was in reference to some of these comments

1. @mikeybob I am 45 myself - just admitting that WE can't just talk a good game about raising up young leaders.about 6 hours ago from TweetDeck in reply to mikeybob
2. @mikeybob by "get out of the way" I don't mean retire. Perhaps climb off the "ladder?" Perhaps genuine openness to younger people's ideas?about 6 hours ago from TweetDeck in reply to mikeybob

But, getting out of the way too early is dangerous and leads to death for all. Now, I will admit I am right at the edge of Young Adults by definition of clergy standards at 35. I admit I was frustrated at times as an assistant youth leader, and as an associate pastor with being "held down" by the heirarchy of the church. Sometimes, that was saving my hindquarters from getting in some real trouble. At other times I think we missed some opportunities with our families, youth, and congregations.

I am grateful for those who said "What's the worst that can happen - we fail? All we can do is try it and see." From those statements followed the pieces that said, "Here are some things you may want to think about, and some tools I think you will need to make it succeed." If I chose to use other tools then so be it. If I thought about what was given all the better. If I decided a tool wasn't necessary and the truth was otherwise, I was usually given the opportunity to learn it for myself; when risk was too high, I was told to use that tool regardless. I was grateful for each of these.

These days I have no hierarchy to hold me back, but I do have people to whom I am responsible. The choices I make are my own, and I realize that I have an entire congregation that has its own expectations of what I am going to be. I try to honor those, as well as be myself, hold conversation as we go forward.

I wonder what it will look like to allow the current people to be themselves, as well as inviting new people into the conversation, as United Methodists, as Clergy, and as a changing nation and world. Can we provide enough leadership that those who will have to lead next will have some idea of what good leadership is, and how to enact it, or are we just turning over the reigns to the cart horse to a four year old raised in a car society?

Adult Soccer in Santa Maria

I have been doing some scouting in Santa Maria for a league like the Inland Empire Soccer League I played in living in San Bernardino. I have called City Recreation and Parks Department and the YMCA. I have checked in with the local soccer shops. The story is that there are leagues, played on Sundays, with an Indoor Soccer League at the YMCA.

I have two problems with these leagues. The first is obvious, with Sunday playing dates, beginning at 8AM and running until 4PM, I am pretty much a no-go for at least half the season since I am leading church services. The second is that these leagues are all team sign-up based.

I am wondering if a league for Adults, not unlike AYSO, where everyone plays, teams are drawn up from the individuals signed up, and the fee includes jerseys, and referees might fly in Santa Maria. I have emailed both the YMCA director of athletics, and the City Recreation and Parks Department head to see if I might work with them in organizing such a league.

Here's to hoping. Mid-week adult soccer can work, and the diversity of players might surprise many.

Peace,

Getting to Know Santa Maria, St. Andrew

In an effort to get to know the congregation, offer some reciprocal hospitality, get to know the community, and find out more about St. Andrew UMC, David Camphouse, our new pastor is setting up meetings with you.

David has hopes to get out and meet all of the congregation this year. He is going to need your help in meeting everyone. He is trying to schedule meetings with people in their homes, or about town with the desire to learn more about this congregation, and the setting we share in ministry. If you have a favorite restaurant, coffee shop, park or hang out, David would love to meet you there to sit down and talk. If you are available in your home to set up such a converssation that would be outstanding. But, the most important piece is to meet with one another during this year

Whether you are a member, someone who is considering being a member, friend, or former member, who still receives the Voice as a way of keeping in touch, know that this invitation is for you.

To set up your meeting, you may reach Alesia, in the church office (805) 937-2470, or by email saumc(dot)sm(at)gmail(dot)com; or you may contact David Camphouse directly by email: david(dot)camphouse(at)gmail(dot)com

Thank you for your responsiveness in helping our new pastor, David Camphouse get to know you and the community better.

Eating and Methodism

Spent the day eating with Methodist Related folks.

I had a great time networking with the men's group over breakfast at St. Andrew UMC. We meet every first Saturday of the month at 8AM. A couple of exciting things ahead are that we are going to try to get to know each other a little better by asking one person to present their "story" each month; we are going to discuss current events and issues, with a sense of Christian response and action; and we are looking for projects to do with the group assembled.

Lunch was spent with the Japanese language congregation from Christ UMC in Santa Maria. They are a hoot and a half, and I love their enthusiasm and their desire to reconnect to their roots, both Christian and Japanese. With that they go to a local Japanese restaurant every month. They too gather the first Saturday of the month, at 11AM for worship, followed by a large contingent that goes to lunch together, to catch up, converse and get to know more about the life of the church, and its people. Simply awesome.

Over dinner, which was Tri-tip BBQ, we got to meet with more folks from St. Andrew UMC and the local Kiwanis club, as well as some amazing people associated with the Find-A-Cure program for FOP here in Santa Maria. The Snows were outstanding hosts, and our little one got to admire, rabbits, two Golden Retrievers, and hang out with her following of grandmas, foremost of which is Imojean.

All this food and fellowship reminds me of a good classic UMC hymn, rewritten for use by Tom Walker, during his time with the California-Pacific Conference. It is sung to the tune of Thank God I'm a Country Boy...


Thank God I'm a Methodist
Well, the Methodist Church is kind o' laid back
There isn't an opinion that Methodists lack
We're kind of like champagne with a Big Mac
Thank God I'm a Methodist

CHORUS: Well you just might say our beliefs run the gamut
We might say darn but we don't say ___________ (this is NOT sung!)
If you wonder what's a Methodist, Well, I am it!
Thank God I'm a Methodist

Well thank you John Wesley we owe it all to you
For founding our church though you didn't mean to
But what else could an Anglican evangelist do
Thank God I'm a Methodist
CHORUS

Well if you want to eat just come around here
Thirty-seven potlucks already this year
The thought of tuna casserole makes me want to shed a tear
Thank God I'm a Methodist
CHORUS

Well the Methodist church is the friendliest in town
We have a lot of fun but our treasury's is down
That's why there's an off'ring plate goin' around
Thank God I'm a Methodist
CHORUS

Well the Presbyterians and Lutherans are fine
We have a few differences but we don't mind
Like we use grape juice and they use wine.
Too bad I'm a Methodist
CHORUS

Well the bishop called the conference to meet this year,
All the preachers got excited and they went with fear,
If the bishop has his way they might not come back here!
Thank God I'm a Methodist!
CHORUS

ALTERNATIVE CHORUS:
Well, you just might say our church is rockin'
We're a'clapping and a' praisin' and everone is talkin'
'Bout a man named Jesus and his voice we hear a' callin'
Thank God I'm a Methodist!

Networking Details

This past week I was asked about networking in my local area

> I hope all is well in your new appointment. I have been following your exploits on facebook. I have a question
> for you. Last week, you wrote about networking in the local community (Starbucks, etc.). I am trying to be more
> effective in my day to day ministry at networking. What specifically do you do when you network with local places? -Clergy Person A

And my reponse:

For me, I try to make as many of my interactions in the community as I can (really and truly I sometimes forget to do so, or just am not up to it at that moment, but I am practicing) about finding out something new. I want to find out from the Starbucks folks and anybody I run into in business, how they are doing that day, and if I can slide it in, when it isn't too busy, I ask personal questions. The three I hold to are: What is your name? Do you go to church? and then in response to the answer of the second question - if yes, "Why do you go where you go?"; if no, "What keeps you from going?". I will often introduce myself as the "new" pastor in town (though when I was a little longer in one place I did phrase it as, "I am trying to find out some more about my community.")
The first time out I never invite them to church, I just inform them where I am. I may ask them if they are working in a business to consider what they might need. I try my best to follow up in three to four weeks, with questions about what they need, and how they see those needs being met. I want to then reflect that back to the congregation I serve so that they can see what kinds of ministry doors are being opened to them.
With the changes in effect from the "Faith-based Initiatives" from President G.W.Bush, I also try to schedule meetings with the principals in the local schools around the church, to try and find out what I can about their needs, the problems and the strengths to find where we mesh.
As additional meetings, I have gone out to talk to the Police, Sheriff, Fire and even with City and County Council (I am in the process of making some of those connections now in Santa Maria). I want to get a strong sense of the pulse of the town. I want to know where the "immigrant workers" congregate. I want to see the town from several angles. To that end, I have set up meetings with one of our local vintners to tour his fields, and with a former Ag teacher to give me a look around the fields and help me learn what is being grown where in Santa Maria.
I also try to observe as much as possible so that when I run into someone about town, I have a chance to touch them, say hi and let them know that I noticed them. I had a great example of that the other day when I was at Starbucks, I saw a lot of people there for free pastry day. Later in the week, one of the teachers for the music academy was getting in his car as I was arriving to church. He was one of the people I saw at Starbucks. I hadn't introduced myself at Starbucks, but told him I remembered him from that trip, and then introduced myself in the context of the church.
I want to do my level best to be known in the community, to propigate the name of the church in as many positive ways as possible. I want to meet the people, see what the holes in society are, and find ways for the church to be meeting unmet needs of the community. But that means meeting my people, meeting the community, and exploring that which goes unseen by many. Then trying to bring together the gifts of my congregation, their desires for where they want the church to go, and the needs of the community. All three have to come together or we just go failing when we try to do something.
I hope I haven't bored you with details, but I would be happy to talk with you more, either by phone, or email, or in person. Let me know.
Thanks,
David Camphouse

Picks and Pans

There was a column in the paper I used to read years ago, and if I remember correctly the paper was local to California, and therefore Gold Country. In it was the title "Picks and Pans". In reality rather than talking about the accoutrement of gold mining, the recent pros and cons of the area were listed.

I have long struggled with doing blogs about places I have been and doing a "Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down" segment (a la the "Ojai Valley News"), or giving more thorough reviews, I want to figure out how to highlight the pluses, make note of the negatives, and be of benefit to the community at large.

As such, I have at times in this blog offered things that were very much to my liking, or building lessons associated with the church, or personal life from the negative thoughts or comments I would normally make. I have decided to go ahead with such things more freely. I will do my best not to "slam" a location, or restaurant, place or experience, but I will add some critique.

I am doing this as a part of sharing my experiences in the community as I learn and explore and discover new points of intersection, learnings I make, hopes I encounter, and needs I discern - all of these for me, my family, the church (both capital and lower case C), and the people of Santa Maria.

Blessings