Comments on: The Future of the Church http://adamhamilton.cor.org/2008/04/18/the-future-of-the-church/ Faith, Morality, and Politics in a Black and White World Sat, 06 Sep 2008 01:11:11 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.1 By: jnoble5826 http://adamhamilton.cor.org/2008/04/18/the-future-of-the-church/#comment-339 jnoble5826 Thu, 24 Apr 2008 15:51:48 +0000 http://adamhamilton.cor.org/2008/04/18/the-future-of-the-church/#comment-339 Adam - I hope you are right and I hope the UMC does something to address the situation. The comprehensive ordination process is daunting and frustrating even for me (having tremendous experience in other daunting and frustrating processes!) I remember once in the SW Texas conference we had a youth gathering where several youth (around 10-15 I recall) expressed interest in eventually becoming pastors. We (myself and several youth ministers) quickly discovered how that particular conference, and the UMC in general, has no place for them to go, no structured guidance, no formal encouragement, etc. Sad. We really need more than a pamphlet and a handshake. I realize there must be a good process of recognizing and clarifying call, a process for ministerial education, etc. But there is no reason that process can't start much sooner. Jim Noble Adam -

I hope you are right and I hope the UMC does something to address the situation. The comprehensive ordination process is daunting and frustrating even for me (having tremendous experience in other daunting and frustrating processes!) I remember once in the SW Texas conference we had a youth gathering where several youth (around 10-15 I recall) expressed interest in eventually becoming pastors. We (myself and several youth ministers) quickly discovered how that particular conference, and the UMC in general, has no place for them to go, no structured guidance, no formal encouragement, etc. Sad. We really need more than a pamphlet and a handshake.

I realize there must be a good process of recognizing and clarifying call, a process for ministerial education, etc. But there is no reason that process can’t start much sooner.

Jim Noble

]]> By: Calling and Vision ::: The Need for Pastoral Leadership « Performing the Faith http://adamhamilton.cor.org/2008/04/18/the-future-of-the-church/#comment-334 Calling and Vision ::: The Need for Pastoral Leadership « Performing the Faith Tue, 22 Apr 2008 17:57:56 +0000 http://adamhamilton.cor.org/2008/04/18/the-future-of-the-church/#comment-334 [...] Hamilton featured an interesting post entitled “The Future of the Church” on his blog, reflecting on his recent experience with Church of the Resurrection’s [...] […] Hamilton featured an interesting post entitled “The Future of the Church” on his blog, reflecting on his recent experience with Church of the Resurrection’s […]

]]> By: chuckrussell http://adamhamilton.cor.org/2008/04/18/the-future-of-the-church/#comment-333 chuckrussell Mon, 21 Apr 2008 14:46:19 +0000 http://adamhamilton.cor.org/2008/04/18/the-future-of-the-church/#comment-333 I was part of a Wesley Foundation (United Methodist Campus Ministry) at Texas Tech that produced 200+ persons for full time ministry (Most Ordained) in 20 years. There is no doubt it can be done. There was a culture that held such a choice in high regard and in the context of that culture many folks could hear and respond to God's voice. It is a calling that many do not understand - often parents and friends are upset by the choices. I have one friend who turned down acceptance to Medical School to go to seminary, and even my own father - who is an amazing father - said something like "you don't want to become too religious" when I mentioned seminary. There is so much cultural pressure away from the choice - its good to have some counterbalance! I was part of a Wesley Foundation (United Methodist Campus Ministry) at Texas Tech that produced 200+ persons for full time ministry (Most Ordained) in 20 years. There is no doubt it can be done. There was a culture that held such a choice in high regard and in the context of that culture many folks could hear and respond to God’s voice. It is a calling that many do not understand - often parents and friends are upset by the choices. I have one friend who turned down acceptance to Medical School to go to seminary, and even my own father - who is an amazing father - said something like “you don’t want to become too religious” when I mentioned seminary. There is so much cultural pressure away from the choice - its good to have some counterbalance!

]]> By: dan_williams http://adamhamilton.cor.org/2008/04/18/the-future-of-the-church/#comment-332 dan_williams Mon, 21 Apr 2008 04:33:12 +0000 http://adamhamilton.cor.org/2008/04/18/the-future-of-the-church/#comment-332 I believe Pastor Adam is correct in his assessment that the goal of 200 in 20 years is too small. I do not believe this goal to be arbitrary simply because of it's quantitative nature. The number of youth who have expressed that they feel they have a calling tells us that this goal is certain to be fulfilled. When you plan for growth, you have to have goals. The renewal of the mainline church requires progressive thinkers and planners like Pastor Adam. Certainly, some who have expressed the desire to serve as clergy will not, but the numbers are on the side of the realization of this goal. I only wish that I had such a wonderfully inspiring pastoral staff as a youth. Who knows? If anyone had asked, I might be posting this comment as an ordained minister myself. Blessings to all of those who were confirmed today. Your congregation is so very proud of you! I believe Pastor Adam is correct in his assessment that the goal of 200 in 20 years is too small. I do not believe this goal to be arbitrary simply because of it’s quantitative nature. The number of youth who have expressed that they feel they have a calling tells us that this goal is certain to be fulfilled. When you plan for growth, you have to have goals. The renewal of the mainline church requires progressive thinkers and planners like Pastor Adam. Certainly, some who have expressed the desire to serve as clergy will not, but the numbers are on the side of the realization of this goal. I only wish that I had such a wonderfully inspiring pastoral staff as a youth. Who knows? If anyone had asked, I might be posting this comment as an ordained minister myself. Blessings to all of those who were confirmed today. Your congregation is so very proud of you!

]]> By: Follow up: The Workings of a Role Model « The Greatest Story Ever Told http://adamhamilton.cor.org/2008/04/18/the-future-of-the-church/#comment-331 Follow up: The Workings of a Role Model « The Greatest Story Ever Told Sun, 20 Apr 2008 21:09:30 +0000 http://adamhamilton.cor.org/2008/04/18/the-future-of-the-church/#comment-331 [...] I was inspired by Rev. Hamilton’s thoughts on incorporating a conversation of calling into his confirmation classes, though I was curious [...] […] I was inspired by Rev. Hamilton’s thoughts on incorporating a conversation of calling into his confirmation classes, though I was curious […]

]]> By: Hamilton wants: 200 Called and Ordained « The Greatest Story Ever Told http://adamhamilton.cor.org/2008/04/18/the-future-of-the-church/#comment-330 Hamilton wants: 200 Called and Ordained « The Greatest Story Ever Told Sat, 19 Apr 2008 13:55:20 +0000 http://adamhamilton.cor.org/2008/04/18/the-future-of-the-church/#comment-330 [...] 200 Called and Ordained April 19, 2008 Posted by jimmorrow in Devo Thoughts. trackback Rev. Adam Hamilton from Church of the Resurrection has posted about exploring God’s call during his [...] […] 200 Called and Ordained April 19, 2008 Posted by jimmorrow in Devo Thoughts. trackback Rev. Adam Hamilton from Church of the Resurrection has posted about exploring God’s call during his […]

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