On Shepherds and Flocks

The job of pastor is becoming increasingly difficult.

Pastors and seminary students are encouraged to establish healthy boundaries with the congregation and avoid workaholic tendencies, only to enter into congregations that wish (even expect) the clergy person to function more like ubiquitous über-pastor of yesteryear.

Add to this dynamic, most mainline churches are declining in membership, worship attendance, and financial resources.  In many circumstances, the pastor becomes the scape goat for the great shrinkage that is taking place.

"If only my pastor preached more relevant / compelling / understandable sermons..."

"If only my pastor made more house calls..."

"If only my pastor had a more engaging personality..."

"If only my pastor spent more time in the office..."

"If only my pastor spent less time in the office..."

It's no wonder why 1,500 pastors leave the ministry every month.  [source]

There are many reasons why I don't feel called to serve as a pastor (even though I feel called to serve the church as a lay person)...and one of the biggest reasons is that congregations are becoming increasingly destructive to clergy.

I came across a fascinating Patheos article that addresses these, and other, concerns about the state of the clergy / congregation relationship. It's an excellent read for anyone affiliated with a church at some level.  There are a lot of grim stats from various denominations that I found to be particularly intriguing.

It is, in most cases, the job of pastor to care for the institutional needs of the congregation (programming, worship, executive-level decisions, etc.) and the personal needs of its members (counseling, hospital visits, birthday greetings, anniversaries of the death of loved ones, etc.).

I wonder, though, by comparison...

...how many people in a congregation see it as their duty to care for their pastor's personal and professional well-being?

I'm curious what would happen if more church members took it upon themselves to pray for their pastor...offer their time and talents to helping the pastor with tasks...advocate for their pastor when fellow parishoners are being "mean sheep".  How might our pastors and our congregations change for the better if more sheep assumed the task of caring for the shepherds?

Great Cloud of Witnesses

Over the course of the last few months, I've been engaging in the discipline of running.  I enjoy getting outside and covering a lot of ground with my legs.  I feel more in tune with my body when I consider my breathing rhythms, stride length, back posture, and overall energy exertion.

I've been an on-again / off-again runner over the last 20 years, with the last 5 years being completely off-again.  I'll spare you the excuses for this lapse into slovenly, gluttonous behavior and just say that it's been far too long since I've been running with any regularity.

Last August my friend Jake decided to take up running...the same week I developed an incredibly painful case of plantar fasciitis.

I worked hard to get my foot / heel healthy so I could run with Jake.  After a couple of months, I was ready to start running with my friend...the same week he became too sick to run.

Throughout the tropical Iowa winter of 2011-12, I ran a few times a week with the goal of completing a 10K while I was visiting New Orleans in early February.  I was pleased to complete this race...the same week Jake received a diagnosis of Hodgkin Lymphoma.

I returned from New Orleans feeling proud of running a 10K, but also horrified that my young friend had cancer.  As he and his wife prepared for months of treatment, I was helpless to do anything but be present, buy an occasional cup of coffee, and offer prayers.  Eventually, I came up with an idea -- I should run a 20K in an attempt to raise money to help Jake offset the cost of chemotherapy, radiation, etc.

Thinking a handful of people might throw in a few bucks each, I hoped I could help the Bouma's by bringing in a few hundred dollars.  (Every little bit helps, right?)  I was astonished that, over the course of the campaign, nearly $1,500 was pledged from friends, family, and even a few strangers.  Inspired by their generous support, I continue to pound the pavement in preparation for the 12.4 mile run.

Then, two weeks before the race, I tweaked my knee while moving furniture for an elderly lady from church.  (Likely story, I know.)  An unofficial "diagnosis" from a doctor friend of mine pointed to a possible tear of the lateral collateral ligament or the meniscus.  Determined to make the race happen despite this possible setback, I rested my legs for two weeks and strapped on a knee brace the morning of June 2 for the Dam to Dam.

As I ran through the countryside north of Des Moines, I thought of Hebrews 12:1-2, a favorite Bible verse of many runners.  I considered the "great cloud of witnesses" that were supporting me in my running and supporting Jake in his cancer journey.  I recalled the far-too-many people in my life that are currently fighting against cancer...and the millions more around the world whose names and stories I don't know.

Throughout the race, a few people stopped to ask me about #BoumaLymphoma, which was written on the back on my shirt.  They offered kind words of affirmation and encouragement.  Even better, my sister, wife & children, and Jake & Libby got up early on a Saturday morning to meet me in several places along the route; cheering me on as my sore knee might have otherwise gotten the best of me.

I crossed the finish line far slower than I had hoped (2:05:00)...but with all my limbs fully intact and a heart full of gratitude.  I thought of how the months leading up to the race, coupled with the event itself, had brought about a significant spiritual awakening for me.  Maybe it was just the "runner's high".  Or maybe 2012 is a year of renewed meaning and purpose for me as a husband, father, son, brother, friend, and minister.

Regardless, I'm thrilled by the imperfect way that everything came together so perfectly.

The next race on the horizon is the Color Run -- and I will be proud to run that race with Jake, Libby, and my sister Kara!

Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.

Amen.

Bouma Lymphoma Donations

My friend Jake Bouma has lymphoma and is in the midst of chemotherapy treatment in an attempt to cure him of cancer.  I'm running a 20K race on June 2, 2012 as a way to raise money to help Jake and Libby cover costs associated with his treatment.

It's come to my attention that several people have attempted to make a donation on the Bouma Lymphoma page, but an error within the Fundly site has made it impossible to do so.

So here's the plan...

If you would like to make a donation to support my 20K race training and help the Bouma family pay for Jake's cancer treatment, please indicate the dollar amount of your pledge by:

1.  Leaving a comment at the bottom of this post.
2.  Sending me a Facebook message
3.  Emailing me at [erik(dot)ullestad(at)gmail(dot)com]

Once the race ends I will contact you with instructions of how to honor your pledge.

Thanks to people who have already donated at total of $1,410 to Bouma Lymphoma:

• Bunz Family -- $150
• Ken Bouma -- $100
• Steve & Ruth Ullestad -- $100
• Shelly Theiman -- $100
• WHLC Men's Bible Study -- $60
• Kala Zanoni -- $50
• Paul & Lorice Amlin -- $50
• Krista & Adam Kilgus -- $50
• Matt & Claire Thompson -- $50
• Anonymous WHLC members -- $150
• Joelle Hanson -- $50
• Chris & Beth Olkiewicz -- $50
• Eric & Beth Carlson -- $50
• Dwight DuBois -- $50
• Tracey Hirst -- $50
• Chelsvig Family -- $50
• Stephanie Wherry -- $30
• John Ambroson -- $25
• Campbell Family -- $25
• Dick & Joani Wilberg -- $20
• John Wagner / Paul Soupiset -- $150

Will you add your name to this list?

Bouma Lymphoma

Cancer. 

It's an ugly word.

Most people know someone who have received a cancer diagnosis.  It just happens that my good friend and fellow youth minister, Jake Bouma, was diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma in February 2012.  In early June I will be running a 20K (Dam to Dam) as a way to show my support to Jake - and I hope you'll consider joining me in showing your support.

Jake and his wife, Libby, are exceptional people...the kind of people that give of themselves in beautiful ways.  Jake works with high school students.  Libby is a social-worker who is studying to be an elementary teacher.  They have chosen servant professions, and you don't get rich in that line of work.

I've created a page for people to make donations to help Jake and Libby pay for the medical costs (chemotherapy, radiation, prescriptions, etc.) associated with his lymphoma treatment.  Additionally, 10% of all money raised will go directly to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

If you are willing to consider sponsoring me, I'd be most grateful.  Training for this race requires a lot of alone-time logging miles.  Without the support of friends, family, and people I've not even met, these long runs will be difficult.  

Please check the Bouma Lymphoma donation page for updates on my training and on Jake's treatment.

• If you're feeling generous and give $5 per km ($100) you will get your name on my race day shirt
• If three people donate $10 per km ($200) Jake will shave my head.

Thanks for your generous support!

Recreation Volunteers

My dear wife, Allison, is a brave soul.

She is leading the recreation portion of the Interaction Center at the 2012 ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans.  There is about 80,000 square feet (no big deal) set aside for young people to do all kinds of different activities throughout the week.  It's a massive undertaking...and I'm amazed at how organized Allison is with all of this.  I can't wait to see how it all comes together in July.

Allison is looking for 5 volunteers to supervise and lead activities for the 30,000+ youth and adults who will be attending the Gathering.

If you know someone who would like to spend a week in New Orleans contributing to the success of one of the largest youth events in the country, they are welcome to apply on-line.

Recreation Volunteer Application

* * *

Here are some more details from Allison:

Welcome!  I am glad you are here to apply for a volunteer position for a fun-filled week at the 2012 ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans, Louisiana on July 18-22.

Here are the basics that you need to know about the recreation volunteer position:

1. You would be a member of a team of 11 volunteers (including myself) that would oversee the sports area of the Interaction Center during the ELCA Youth Gathering.
2. You would be responsible for providing supervision, positive interaction, and enthusiasm to the 30,000+ ELCA Youth Gathering participants that are allowed to use the space.
3. You would help with any set-up and tear-down and daily maintenance of the sports area that needs to be performed.
4. Your travel, hotel, and meal expenses would be paid for.
5. You would need to arrive in New Orleans on Tuesday, July 17 to prepare for the opening day on Wednesday, July 18.
6. You would most likely leave New Orleans on Sunday, July 22.
7. You would be required to be on-site at the sports area during the hours of operation, which are, 10am-3pm on Wednesday and 8:30am-4pm on Thursday-Saturday.  You would also need to plan on being on-site 1 hour before the start of each day's hours of operation for a team meeting, set-up, etc.

I am excited to be given the opportunity to head up the sports area of the Interaction Center and to meet the many wonderful volunteers that will be offering their time and talents during the 2012 ELCA Youth Gathering.  I hope that you will prayerfully consider joining the recreation volunteer team.

Sincerely,

Allison Ullestad
Recreation Coordinator, City of West Des Moines

Hope for Resurrection?

It seems that many (though not all) Protestant congregations these days are experiencing heightened levels of anxiety.  Numbers are down...the median age is rising...buildings are in need of some extra attention...money is tight...and so on.

Good thing for us, Diana Butler Bass has something to say about it.  She wrote a tremendous article (ok - I could have done without the self-promotional stuff) addressing the despair of the mainline church.  Much of her comments are a response to Andrew Sullivan's Newsweek cover story about the demise of Christianity.  Both articles are excellent and worth carving out some time to read.

Here are some of the money quotes from DBB's article:

Contemporary people care less about what to believe than how they might believe; less about rules for behavior than in what they should do with their lives; and less about church membership than in whose company they find themselves. 

The old faith formulations were externally based, questions that could be answered by appealing to a book, authority, creed, or code. The new spiritual longings are internally derived, questions of engagement, authenticity, meaning, and relationship. The old questions required submission and obedience; the new questions require the transformation of our souls. 

I also know the hope of possibility, for every crisis bears the promise of something new. Endings are also beginnings. Indeed, without death, resurrection is impossible. Imaginative, passionate, faith-filled people are enacting a new-old faith with Jesus and are working to change wearied churches. It is the season of resurrection, and resurrections always surprise. 

How Much is Enough

It's been a while since I've been to Mexico City (I went on several week-long "pilgrimages" with people from my church back in the mid-2000's).  These were fascinating experiences which gave me a sense of the similarities and differences between the United States and Mexico.  One aspect of Mexican culture that was most fascinating for me was the pace of life.  The people I met were non-anxious and laid-back.  (The start time of every meeting came with the suffix "-ish".)  It was a fascinating adjustment for the members of our time-obsessed group of Americans.

This story, which I noticed on the wall of Jimmy John's sandwich shop, reminded me of the contrast between lifestyles in our two countries:

HOW MUCH IS ENOUGH? 

The American investment banker was at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked.  Inside the small boat were several large fin tuna.  The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them. 

The Mexican replied, only a little while. 

The American then asked why didn't he stay out longer and catch more fish? 

The Mexican said he had enough to support his family's immediate needs. 

The American then asked, "but what do you do with the rest of your time?" 

The Mexican fisherman said, "I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take a siesta with my wife, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos.  I have a full and busy life." 

The American scoffed, "I am a Harvard MBA and could help you out.  You should spend more time fishing and with the proceeds, buy a bigger boat, and with the proceeds from the bigger boat you could buy several boats.  Eventually, you would have a fleet of fishing boats.  Instead of selling your catch to a middleman you would sell directly to the processor, eventually opening your own cannery.  You would control the product, processing, and distribution.  You would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then LA and eventually NYC where you will run your expanding enterprise. 

The Mexican fisherman asked, "But, how long will this all take?" 

To which the American replied, "15-20 years." 

"But what then?" 

The American laughed and said that's the best part.  "When the time is right you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich, you would make millions." 

"Millions?" asked the fisherman, "Then what?" 

The American said, "Then you would retire.  Move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take a siesta with your wife, stroll to the village in the evening, sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos!" 

Author Unknown