According to the Candidacy page, I have been in the LLP process for most of the year. In fact, I probably talked with Matt around this time last year. After my chat with Matt, I was off to visit with the district superintendent for a howdy-do to kick off the process. We chatted and decided I should go ahead and start the process. He encouraged me to get out and visit some of the smaller churches in the district to get a feel for what was going on.
I got started working with my wonderful mentor pastor. I got the Workbook and started on that. Along the way I bought other needed books, some required by the Workbook, others recommended by Maxie. In the past quite a few months, I have met multiple times with Maxie, been to the installation of the new DS, and enjoyed the entire process. The one experience I had ignored was visiting churches more typical than my home church, FUMC Denton. Rev. Milton Guttierrez had even recommend FUMC of Pilot Point as a start.
We almost went on the week-end of the 16th of October, but we had an Emmaus pilgrim coming up and needed at be at church at do some last minute business. That put us there on the 23th. I only relate all the lead up to underline that we have had months to attend church with Rev Penny Mitchell and congregation. Believe me, I wish I had gone much sooner. ;)
First, Rev. Mitchell had a lot to say in a short time. Being October in a United Methodist church, you know the message had to do with stewardship in one way or another. She went from preaching to meddling though when she started talking about shoes. Earlier in the morning, I had gotten dressed and had some extra time while Suzanne finished her Sunday morning preparations. With some extra time, I decided to polish my boots. This was not just any old pair of boots. I got them last year at the beginning of December, my first pair of real western boots, all leather, carbon fiber shank and the whole deal. Well back to church. We were doing just fine until this nice preacher lady (sorry Penny if that sounds a bit, well you know) steps out of her shoes. She proceeds to tell us that she almost did this portion of the service few weeks back. She did not know that she was waiting for me to be in the congregation. She was waiting for me to have to decide which I counted higher, God's challenge to give of my best or to go home in my best boots. Yes, I even had the discussion in my mind, "How can I go forward to ministry when I balked at a simple challenge over a pair of boots. Granted, the internal argument did not last long. The winner was not obligation but the desire to express my devotion to the One Who Means all to Me. Suzanne & I both left our shoes on the altar to go to a local ministry.
I know someone in Pilot Point is enjoying a new pair of boots and I am enjoying knowing that I can, when I am ready, get a new pair. What I cannot replace is the joy of giving when asked.
I got started working with my wonderful mentor pastor. I got the Workbook and started on that. Along the way I bought other needed books, some required by the Workbook, others recommended by Maxie. In the past quite a few months, I have met multiple times with Maxie, been to the installation of the new DS, and enjoyed the entire process. The one experience I had ignored was visiting churches more typical than my home church, FUMC Denton. Rev. Milton Guttierrez had even recommend FUMC of Pilot Point as a start.
We almost went on the week-end of the 16th of October, but we had an Emmaus pilgrim coming up and needed at be at church at do some last minute business. That put us there on the 23th. I only relate all the lead up to underline that we have had months to attend church with Rev Penny Mitchell and congregation. Believe me, I wish I had gone much sooner. ;)
I know someone in Pilot Point is enjoying a new pair of boots and I am enjoying knowing that I can, when I am ready, get a new pair. What I cannot replace is the joy of giving when asked.
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