You Can Help!

This is our trailer.  We will be taking this trailer with us to northwest Indiana as we assist LARRI in rebuilding after 2008 floods.  Yes…they still need help.

We are blessed to have a great group of people taking the time out of their schedules to serve such a noble cause.  And…we hope you will join us in our endeavors!

In addition to doing the actual hands-on work in Lake County, we will also be filling our 16 foot trailer with donated items for the people in need.  We will fill the trailer from front to back…top to bottom with donated items because I know that many of you will step up to the plate and make it happen.

There are three ways you can help us in this ministry:

1. If you are local…take a look at the list of needed items below and consider what you can provide to people in greater need than yourself.  If you have items you can email us at mtetnaumc@gmail.com or call us at (260)468-9690.

2. If you would like to support us in this, but do not have the items to donate or do not live close enough to make it efficient, you can mail us a Wal-mart gift card that we will use responsibly to purchase needed items (if you follow the link you can purchase online and have them sent to Mt Etna).  Mail gift cards to: Mt Etna UMC, 6383 W 600S, Huntington, IN 46750.

3. Pray.  Pray for those going on the trip and that we are able to bless many people with our work and donated items.  But, most importantly, pray for those in need that we will be serving.  It has been a long time and many of them are still in need.

Thank you for helping us…help others.

ITEMS NEEDED FOR DONATIONS

POTS & PANS

SILVERWARE

BOWLS

TWIN BEDS & MATTRESSES

CANNED FOOD ITEMS

CLEANING ITEMS

DUST MASKS

PILLOWS

BLANKETS

Music Wars…Alive and Well???

I spent two days in Indianapolis at “Our Life Together” with a number of other pastors.  I went there to connect with friends and colleagues.  Little did I know that, in a surprising visit to the restroom, I would come face-to-face with music wars.

Throughout the conference, we were blessed with a number of musicians and bands to lead us in worship including Andrew Peterson and Lisa McClendon.

Following the McClendon concert, there was an intermission, in which I visited the restroom with one thing to accomplish.  I did not go there to discuss theology or the weather.  I did not go there to freshen up or gossip about what “she” was wearing…even though it was questionable.  Others, however, had more on their mind.

As I was drying my hands…about to leave the facilities, I was blindsided with the following statement: “You’re young”…(never a good way to start a conversation)…”What is it with this music?  It is horrible!  That isn’t worship.  I don’t even know what it is.  I am not happy.  And…I’ll tell the Bishop…I don’t care…I am about to retire anyway…something, something, something.” I have to admit…I stopped listening because all I could think about was an exit strategy.

I walked away…not only feeling assaulted…but concerned for the Church.  Here we are, trying to figure out how to reach new people and share Jesus Christ with the unchurched.  And we…as the leaders of the Church…cannot bear to see the message of Christ proclaimed in different ways.

Here is what I have learned as a leader.  If we want the Church to change.  If we want to reach new people for Christ (which means change…because it is not happening now)…we, as leaders, must be willing to lead the way to change.

It means we have to be uncomfortable at times in what we do, where we go, and how we proclaim the message.  The main thing…must remain the main thing.  Jesus Christ offers forgiveness and salvation to all people.  As leaders, we cannot allow our prejudices and personal tastes in music (or anything else) to stand in the way.

There is only one way to “do” church.  Are you ready for it?  Here it is:  Share the Good News of Jesus Christ.  I don’t care how you do it!  Just do it!  If that means we belt out the great traditional hymns…then do it!  If it means we have a heavy metal rock band…then do it!

After this encounter in the restroom…I know one thing.  If I ever respond to a form of proclaiming the Good News in that way…I will retire.  Because at that point…I will be a hindrance to the Gospel message.

Share the Good News of Jesus Christ!  Just do it!  It really is that simple.

UNLEASH!

The beast that is our vision statement is being unleashed at Mt Etna UMC.  We are excited and filled with anticipation as we embrace God’s call on our congregation.  I invite you to join with us in this journey.  Each Tuesday, we post the Sunday morning message online for the world to hear.  Below it the link.  Take some time out of your day to discover what we are doing at Mt Etna and how it may impact your life.

http://mtetnaumc.blogspot.com/