Rev. Jaman Iseminger 1982-2012

Rev. Jaman Iseminger age 29 was shot and killed this morning at the church he pastors on the south side of Indianapolis.

Iseminger was at his church, Bethel Community early this morning to prepare for the volunteers coming in to clean the historic cemetery next to the church. According to early reports a homeless woman entered the building and shot Iseminger. She was found and arrested soon after.

He is survived by his wife and two-year old daughter.

His planned sermon focused on how revolution can from tragedy.

I didn’t know him, but I grew up down the road from his church and I don’t know if it was his age, pastoring his home church, or the fact that he had a young daughter but I felt like I needed to do something to honor Rev. Iseminger.

Join me in praying for his family and his church.

May 19, 2012 in Uncategorized with 0 Comments

Criticism Will Come

Criticism comes with the job.

Used to be the criticism was what you heard second or third hand from people who heard something while getting their hair cut or as they drink their coffee. Now everyone has a platform and you are a Google Alert away from hearing the criticism first hand.

I’m sure you heard about this church in Oregon that is suing individuals for defamation over some unflattering internet posts. A bad review and a few blog posts leads to a lawsuit.

Horrible response. But I guarantee this isn’t the first time a pastor didn’t consider this.

The criticism is a constant.

How you respond is the variable.

Be honest. Be faithful to your calling. Lead don’t react.

May 19, 2012 in Challenging with 0 Comments

I Love My Job Video

HT:JG

May 18, 2012 in Encouraging with 0 Comments

Finding a Church Job: Part Time Pay, Full Time Hours

This is part 10 of a blog series called Finding a Church Job.

Reality stinks.

The economy has affected churches and para-church organizations just like every other sector. Any semblance of recovery is delayed as people generally stop charitable contributions first and resume them last.

Finding a church job that is a good fit is hard enough as is, introduce this economic climate and it can be nearly impossible. This is a personal one for me, here’s my story.

In the fall/winter of 2008 we knew our time at our first church was winding down. I was going on four years as a youth pastor of a great church that was in the process of coming out of some painful moments. Leaders, both paid and volunteers had left and leaders, both paid and volunteers had been asked to leave. Depending on when you asked we were a church of 250 and a church of 750.

We learned a lot, made incredible relationships, and started to understand what it meant to be a pastor; but it was really hard.

So when we felt our time ending as the church began to stabilize it was bittersweet.

Continue Reading…

May 17, 2012 in Challenging with 1 Comment

Josh Hamilton, I Am Second

May 16, 2012 in Challenging, Encouraging with 1 Comment

I Now Pronounce You

I’ve been debating on whether or not to publish this. Since the President announced that in his opinion he supports same sex marriage the echo chamber of the internet and social media has been in full effect. In our corner of the interwebs the usual suspects have denounced it and the usual suspects have embraced it. For something different and more thoughtful I would suggest this.

In the days preceding the President’s statement on ABC the momentum was obvious and I began to discuss this issue with several friends. One of them works for a Christian relief agency in the marketing/advocacy realm and in our conversation he said something that caught my attention and should catch yours.

You should have gotten into marketing, I wouldn’t want to be a pastor and have to deal with this for real.

His sarcasm betrays the truth. This is messy.

Continue Reading…

May 16, 2012 in Challenging with 6 Comments

30 in 30: Don’t Commit to Anything

This is part of a blog series that has 30 practical tips for the pastor looking to start or restart well. You can get the entire series as a pdf by signing up for email updates or as a Kindle book. The landing page will be updated with each new post.

Don’t Commit to Anything

Right after the table has been cleared and dessert is being served the people that had you over to dinner are going to shift gears and start asking you about your plans. Be careful because landmines abound.

Part of having the pastor over is to try and figure him or her out. People want to know what you are “really” all about. More thank likely they have had negative experiences that they don’t want to relive and part of having you over is a defense mechanism.

So you say what you should say about wanting to present the Gospel to people in compelling ways and creating a place of life transformation, and all the other correct but general answers. Then as they start asking your opinions on things in terms of programs, styles, and priorities that of course you have opinions on, stop yourself from sharing them in this environment.

Continue Reading…

May 15, 2012 in Practical with 0 Comments

Monday Morning Quick Hits

  • Everyone seems to have an opinion on the current marriage debate. Last week it seemed that every other post in my Google Reader was a loud reaction one way or another on this, and I’ve got a post of my own in the works that I keep editing. I’m bothered by the tone and manner of most of the conversations, but not all.
  • As Biden was breaking the news (can we make Biden’d a verb?) Albert Mohler threw Andy Stanley under the bus for “soft peddling” on homosexuality.
  • Rookie Pastors, we could work on their humility. 10 attributes to work towards.
  • Yesterday morning I forgot an item for a game with middle schoolers and drove past soccer fields jam packed with kids and families at 8am on a Sunday morning. I knew it but had to see it, we are a post-church society.
  • One of my favorite entries from “Stuff Christians Like” and a reality as a groups pastor.
  • Eventually we all leave, might as well do it well.
  • Maybe you won’t leave on your own accord, if you are experiencing one of these you might be about to get fired.
  • Shouldn’t the church transition pastors out better than most other employers?
  • Revealing interview with Greg Oden.
  • Time magazine cover almost broke the internet (and no I’m not linking to it) well Newsweek is trying to call and raise.
  • Will Ferrell hosted SNL.

May 14, 2012 in Uncategorized with 0 Comments

Josh Hamilton on PTI

 

Humble.

HT:MH

May 11, 2012 in Encouraging with 1 Comment

Guest Post: Cure for Apathy

A husband to Janine for 20+ years and father of 3 amazing daughters, Gregg serves as a pastor at Shelter Rock Church (www.shelterrockchurch.com) on Long Island, NY, loves to write (www.gpfarah.com), and is quite fond of pizza. He writes books to remind us God is big and faith is fun. 

Gregg is publishing two spiritual growth books. Visit www.indiegogo.com/52series to learn more and to get a copies for yourself or a group.

I’m Cured!

Good news! Comedian George Carlin reports that scientists have found a cure for apathy. Apparently, no one has shown the slightest bit of interest in it.

My guess is you’re not apathetic about your spiritual growth. You want to grow spiritually and you’re open to doing something about it. But, if you’re like me, you might be a bit intimidated. I’ve been motivated to do other things in the past, without success. I’ve set goals, I’ve purchased equipment, I’ve publicly declared my intentions…only to revise my goals, return the equipment, and ultimately avoid everyone I told. And because it’s not easy to make an entirely new set of friends, I end up eating yet another slice of humble pie and try not to get excited about anything…ever again.

But we can’t live that way. Especially when it comes to life with God and pursuing all God has for us. Look at what the Apostle Paul teaches:

Let your roots grow down into Christ and draw up nourishment from Him. See that you go on growing in the Lord, and become strong and vigorous in the faith” (Colossians 2:7, Living Bible).

Strength and vigor anyone? I’m in. I’d love to have my faith described that way. And I’d relish the opportunity to know God and the Bible intimately. Yet despite my good intentions, I end up frustrated and assume “spiritual giant” status isn’t for me.

Continue Reading…

May 11, 2012 in Encouraging with 0 Comments

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