This past week was crazy. I didn’t have any time to blog or tweet. I traveled to Kansas City, MO with the Lewis Fellows and spent some time with pastors of dynamic churches. When I returned to New York, I went back to the airport to welcome Gary Long, our retreat speaker. Saturday the church held our fall retreat on vision – an excellent time. Sunday was worship. As you can see, it was a pretty full couple of days.
I want to briefly share with you my Lewis Fellows experience. Tuesday, October 19 we visited Saint Andrew Christian Church (www.sacchome.org) and had a conversation with Senior Pastor Rev. Holly McKissick. Saint Andrew Christian Church is a Disciples of Christ church. Check out the church below:
As you can see, it looks more like a market than a church. Such a welcoming property and building. The church is only 20 years old and Holly is the founding pastor. Below, Holly is standing and we are meeting in the sanctuary. I loved this sanctuary. The building is only about 12 years old.
Holly comes out of the Southern Baptist tradition, but was ordained in the Disciples of Christ church. The sanctuary is welcoming and seating is structured in a “U”. Holly’s take on leadership was interesting. She talked about making mistakes, as all pastors do, but learning from them. She was honest and candid about her leadership and ministry.
Below is a pic of the cross that hangs in the sanctuary:
The entire the church has a focus on the arts and it is clear throughout the whole building. Below is a shot of the grounds – very kid friendly.
On Wednesday, October 20 We also visited the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Kansas City. The church boasts over 15,000 people. Below you can see the purpose statement clearly proclaimed when you walk in the building.
Below you can see our tour guide, Pastor Andrew (the pastor of the internet campus, yes that’s right) showing us their sanctuary. They serve communion in 6 minutes!
No handguns at Church of the Resurrection:
Lovett Weems, executive director of the Lewis Center for church leadership, standing next to his own quote. He was the president at the Saint Paul School of Theology. You know you have arrived when you can stand next to your own quote. Lovett is the man!
Visiting these churches and meeting with pastors and leaders was helpful. Learning about how these different churches operate in different church systems expanded our understanding of church dynamics. We also spent some time in a Skype chat with Tim Keel, founding pastor of Jacob’s Well and author of Intuitive Leadership (Tim’s blog). Tim takes a very different approach to leadership and I highly recommend you read his book.
My Lewis Fellows experience was and continues to be a fruitful one. I’m starting to implement several concepts at FBC Ballston Spa. Continue to read my posts in the future as we move forward in our vision process.
Kansas City, you have some huge ribs! They are dinosaur size.
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