May 2012 to May 2013 : A Ministry Look-Back

May 15, 2013 2 Comments

mayEvery May, at the beginning of my summer break, I try to stop and look back over the past year and reflect on the opportunities the Lord has opened for me to do what I love and was called to do.  This particular 12 months has been a little bit of everything.  Ministry opportunities have flowed from all sides.

From…

  • Traveling to Greece, Turkey, and Switzerland with the Apostles & Epistles Tour.  You can’t beat teaching Revelation 1 on the Island of Patmos overlooking John’s cave.  Indescribable.
  • Finishing one interim pastorate at Lancaster Bapt Church and beginning and finishing another at Living Grace Church.
  • Training young pastors for LifeWay’s CentriKid Camps and then being a camp pastor myself for a couple weeks.
  • Preaching in various pulpits around KY like Corinth BC in London, Immanuel, Pioneer, Hopewell and Bruner’s Chapel BC all in Harrodsburg, Simpsonville BC, and First Bapt Clarksville, TN.
  • Leading training workshops for Eubank BC, Beechland BC, Pioneer BC and First Bapt Clarksville.
  • Teaching breakout sessions at ministry conferences – the CU Transformational Church Summit, the KBC Seminary for a Day, and CU Louisville’s Contagious Churches & Leaders.
  • Serving alongside the tireless LifeWay VBSi & Preview Team as a speaker & breakout session leader in 4 cities: Ridgecrest, NC, Fort Worth, TX, Nashville, TN, and Kissimmee, FL.  This opportunity has been one I will never forget.
  • Great times of sharing with my students outside of class like doing the DNow Team training, teaching alongside Jennifer for BCM about relationships, pre-marriage counseling in our home with Chris Price and Anna Step, witnessing Jacob Howard, one of my guys, ordained to the Gospel ministry, and taking a group of 13 to LifeWay’s headquarters in Nashville for CU Day at LifeWay.
  • All the while completing two amazing semesters with my students in class after class.  Year 5 was my best in class teaching year so far.

It is simply amazing for me to see what God has done in my life, if I would make myself available to Him and His purposes.  As I reflect back, I am overwhelmed by God’s grace and kindness toward me and my family.  This is way more than I could have ever imagined back in 1996 when I surrendered to the call of ministry.  God has taken my 3 loaves and 2 fish and multiplied them time and time again.

Where will God lead from May 2013 to May 2014…who knows?  But wherever He leads, I will follow.

Filed under Family, Leadership, Life, Ministry, Preaching, Teaching, Travel

My Experience as a Campbellsvillian

May 2, 2013 5 Comments

Teaching in Druien Hall.

Rampant news has been swirling – some true, some false – about my alma mater and employer Campbellsville University with specific attention directed toward my area the CU School of Theology.

I have not had any desire to pour more fuel on this raging fire and have actually encouraged my students to stay out of the fray, however, I have been encouraged to speak about my experience at CU as a student back in the 90′s in the School of Theology.

I offer three truths about my alma mater and school.

1.  As a student, this place changed my life forever by exposing me to Christ, to his calling for my life, to the truthfulness of Scripture, to the ministry of serving others as unto the Lord, to the task of taking the Gospel to the ends of the earth, and to the role of loving people who are from every Christian tradition.  As I had the opportunity to serve Christ in closed countries, in major urban centers, and down dirt paths, I learned that you shouldn’t get too bothered about who is a Methodist and who is a Baptist.  You are just happy to serve alongside people who, like you, love Jesus and want to tell others about Him.

2.  As a student, I was trained by great men and women of God who loved Jesus, His Word, the Gospel and the mission of the church.  Faithful men like Dr. Ted Taylor who has served 40+ years in local church ministry and Dr. John Hurtgen whose passion for the New Testament and Christian fellowship are as evident today as they were back then.  Also outstanding Christian women and scholars like Dr. Paula Qualls who loved the Old Testament more than anyone I’ve ever met and showed me how to love it as well.

3.  As a student, I formed lifelong friendships with many brothers and sisters in Christ who are now serving around the world as missionaries and in our nation as pastors and ministers.  These friendships continue to model one of the School of Theology core values: partners in enduring fellowship.

Lastly, I want all to know that I came to faith in Jesus through the ministry of a KBC church in Lewisport, KY.  I was baptized, discipled and called to ministry in a KBC church.  I have served on two KBC church staffs.  I have been an interim pastor for three KBC churches.  I have four CP-supported theological degrees – one from CU, two from SWBTS and one from SBTS.  I am a Southern Baptist and KY Baptist through and through.

I believe the Bible is true.  I believe the Gospel is the only means of salvation.  I believe that my role as a man, husband, father, pastor, and professor is to offer and explain this glorious Gospel to every person I meet.   These biblical convictions have never been questioned or prevented while attending, or now while teaching, at CU.  They have only been encouraged and enhanced.  I have a platform that most pastors never have.  I get to teach unbelieving young men and women the Gospel in class every day and they have to come and listen.  This is a wonderful mission.

I am proud to be a small part of the CU story.  I love my alma mater and employer.

Filed under Family, Leadership, Life, Ministry, Teaching

Ending Interim No. 4

March 23, 2013 1 Comment

IMG_3814

Children’s Sermon @ LGC

On April 14 (4 weeks away), I will be concluding interim pastorate no. 4 at Living Grace Church here in Campbellsville.  I served Living Grace Church as interim pastor back in 2008-09 during a previous pastor search process and again this time around for the past 9 months.

The people of Living Grace Church are wonderful.  They have been so kind and gracious to let me learn alongside of them what it means to be a church that is intergenerational, inter-denominational, multiracial and from every socioeconomic level in our community.

I have been stretched in my understanding of the primary Christian doctrines, built up in my belief in the sufficiency of God’s Word, and saw how stabilizing church administration is essential for a 10-year old church plant.

I give thanks to the previous pastors of Living Grace Church: Pastor Phillip Kelley and Pastor Jason Fox.  The time between my first interim and my second showed how much leadership, blood, sweat, and tears these men invested in LGC.  Thank you my dear brothers for giving your hearts (and probably lots of nights of sleep) to this people.

I also give thanks for my worship leader for the first 6 months Mr. Benson Sexton and his dear wife Kristin, our church media guru.  These two leaders have been invaluable friends to me and my family and diligent co-laborers in the Gospel ministry.

I give thanks to our youth minister Mr. Mike Humphress who has a tender heart before the Lord and a true passion to develop leaders who love students.  I am also thankful for Mrs. Anne Sanders who leads the children’s ministry.  I have been impressed time and time again with her organization and vision for our GraceKids.  Ms. Debbie Ruggles, the church secretary, has been my helper, encourager, and faithful supporter through thick and thin.  She has been a peace-giving force in my life.

I will miss seeing the smiling faces on Sunday mornings.  I will miss the warm hugs from those ladies (and a few fellas) who gave me a hug every week no matter what was going on.  I will miss watching the children of LGC run all over the place after worship.  I will miss being called “pastor” which is a term of endearment and devotion, which blessed me every time.  And “step-pastor” by one dear friend which always made me smile and laugh.

But unlike other interim pastorates which have been in other towns, when this one concludes I will still get the chance to see the people of LGC out and about in our little community, which will always be a treat.

Filed under Family, Leadership, Life, Ministry, Preaching

Hurricane Isaac on the Soccer Field

September 13, 2012 Leave a comment

Just a couple pictures from last Saturday, Sept. 8, for Isaac’s first game in the Campbellsville Youth Soccer U8 league.  His team is navy blue.  These were taken by the league photographer.

It was a downpour, but the kids got out there and played like champions.

Far Right.  Notice the height on his jump.  That is some serious vertical lift.  All of 3 inches.

“Watch the ball.  Track the ball.  Be the ball.”
He ended the day with 3 or 4 goals.  They don’t keep score, so we really never know.

Filed under Family, Life

Life at the Garrison Ranch

August 28, 2012 Leave a comment

A short video I made for my opening day of class.  Jennifer is quite jealous of my skills.

Filed under Family, Life, Ministry, Teaching

Summer 2012 Recap

August 7, 2012 1 Comment

Riding a hot air balloon on the 4th of July.

When the blog went down in July, I frantically tried to get it back up and running.  And when I finally got the thing going again, I just didn’t have anything interesting to say or post.  So I haven’t.  But now the summer is nearly over, so I thought I would fire some one-liners about life, ministry, parenting, and the culture.

  • The Olympics – Team USA is awesome, but the Chinese are machines. 
  • Living Grace Church – I am 1 month in and am having a very good time.  The health of the church is tremendously better than compared to 3 years ago when I was here before.  That goes in a very large part to the leadership of Pastor Jason Fox.  His steady hand and commitment to biblical health for the church paid off.  I tip my hat to you my friend.  Well done. 
  • Jennifer’s father – Earl – was in the hospital nearly all of July with a serious infection through out his body.  He is home now and we are very thankful.  God spared his life.
  • CentriKid Camp - Getting to be camp pastor of CentriKid camp was way too much fun.  3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th graders are so sweet and gracious.  They actually paid great attention to the messages each morning and evening, which I didn’t expect.  Organized Mass Chaos (OMC) was pure craziness.
  • Both boys in school - Isaac started 1st grade, Ethan started pre-K.  For 3 hours each morning, not one kid is in our house.  Very strange phenomenon.  I think Jennifer likes the quiet mornings.
  • Chick-Fil-A - Americans can’t spell the name of the store, but they sure do love themselves some Jesus chicken.  The original and the spicy are my favs.
  • Summer movies - Didn’t see anything at all.  Not Batman, not Spiderman, not Brave.  Nothing.  Nada.
  • Books – Great reads this summer mostly from the secular world.  Into Thin Air by Jon Krakaur, Moneyball by Michael Lewis, Theodore Roosevelt – an Autobiography, and The Rise and Fall of the Anabaptist by E. Belfort Bax.
  • Downtown Abbey Season 1 - Extraordinary.  Season 2 needs to get on NetFlix asap.
  • Jennifer’s book – The Leaders Guide to “Christian History Made Easy” – was released in July and we got a copy.  I am so happy she beat me to the publishing punch.
  • Greece/Turkey Trip – The May study tour has really helped in preaching and teaching.  I will start my series on the 7 churches of Revelation in September and have tons of video to show.  The dates for Israel/Jordan 2014 are available if you’re interested in traveling with the School of Theology.
  • My sister Crystal got married.  Small, sweet ceremony in a quaint Methodist chapel.  Congrats Sis.
  • Finally Turning 35 – With July came my birthday and officially rolling into the middle-age demographic.  All demographic studies have 21-34 and 35-54 as categories determining young adults and middle adults.  10 years of marriage, 2 kids, a mortgage, a Buick sedan.  Yup, we are middle adults.

Cheers to Summer 2012.  You’ve been a wild one.

Filed under Family, Leadership, Life, Ministry, Preaching, Study, Teaching, Travel, Writing

When the Glasshouse Cracks

June 13, 2012 Leave a comment

News cycles reeled last week after the arrest of well-known prosperity preacher and pastor Rev. Creflo Dollar Jr, pastor and founder of World Changers Church International in College Park, Ga. Dollar was released on bail after allegedly choking his 19-year-old daughter during an argument in their home.

Pastor Dollar came to the pulpit the following Sunday to a packed auditorium and to the reception of a standing ovation. His congregation showed unfailing support for their leader and believe he is innocent of all charges. Prior to his sermon, Pastor Dollar denied all allegations saying that there was a family argument that got “emotional” but nothing more. He asserts he was simply disciplining his daughter and things “escalated.”

This brief look into the private life of a celebrity pastor has brought to bear the undeniable interest of the media and public in the domestic affairs of spiritual leaders. The pastor’s home life, no matter if one is leading a church of 50 or 5,000, always generates a lot of attention.

Some have even named the pastor’s house a glasshouse where everyone wants to look inside finding out what really happens behind closed doors. Church members, neighbors, complete strangers are eager to get a look what the preacher does in private.

There is something voyeuristic about seeing how a pastor treats his spouse and kids. Undoubtedly people want to know how he deals with everyday pressures in comparison to their own lives. Does he yell in frustration at his kids? Does he spank with his hand or a belt or at all? Do he and his wife get into heated debates using swear words? The world wants to know.

Even the more mundane daily rituals are tantalizing tidbits of information. Does he do chores around the house like laundry or dusting? Does he watch R-rated movies? Do they have a filter on their internet? Is the checkbook organized or are bills laying everywhere? Inquiring minds want to know.

But when the glasshouse cracks, when obvious sin seeps into the pastor’s family, it becomes headline news. As the glasshouse shows signs of wear and tear, the peeping eyes increase.

However, two overarching principles about ministry and family need to be identified and spoken to. First, pastors, ministers, priests and their families are sinful, morally broken people. They make mistakes. They have conflicts with each other and within themselves. They have real issues that arise at times, inevitably making their way out in the public square.

This should not be a surprise to anyone, no matter if a believer or not. The Bible is very clear on this issue. No one is perfect. Everyone is sinful (Romans 3:10). That is life. That is the reason Jesus came, died and was raised again. Sin was the human problem that the Gospel, or the Good News of Jesus, came to fix (Luke 19:10).

Secondly, pastoral ministry has and will always include living in a glasshouse. So here’s my personal invitation: look in and enjoy. You are free to take a peek. There will be cracks at times in the walls. There will be messes and mistakes strewn all over the living room floor. There will be good days and not so good days, and you are free to witness them all.

But remember when you look in, the Christian life is not a journey into perfection for those in ministry or otherwise. The Christian life is a continual walk with Jesus in grace and in truth, through growth, correction, failure, forgiveness, reproof, assurance – all surrounded by God’s love and mercy.

You are welcome to look inside the glasshouse, but don’t be surprised by what you see. Our house, like your house, always needs to be fixed up.

Originally written for and posted on www.kyforward.com – June 12, 2012

Filed under Family, Leadership, Life, Ministry, Teaching, Writing

Living Grace Take 2

June 8, 2012 Leave a comment

Starting July 1, I will begin a second stint as Transitional Pastor of Living Grace Church here in Campbellsville.

I served LGC way back in 2008-09 for about 6 months as they went through a pastor search process.  That was my first year back in Campbellsville after being away for 10 years.  It was an interesting re-introduction to the community I’d hoped to raise my family in and to the radically diverse nature of church dynamics in the lil’ ville.

While my first stint with LGC was rather short, I have stayed in decent contact with the church and its leaders over the past few years.  I was honored to be friends with both Pastor Phillip Kelley (who came right after me) and also with Pastor Jason Fox (who I will be following).  Actually Jason’s daughter Stella and my boy Isaac are quite the item.

I’ve spent time with both brother-pastors and learned about how things were going at the church.  Maple Trail, my consulting firm, was hired on back in 2009 to do a ministry consultation which gave me more insight into the workings of LGC.

As with any transitional ministry, I will keep my interim ministry philosophy intact with this one…
1.  Don’t change anything unless asked.  And only change things that you can see through all the way till the end.

2.  Don’t start anything new unless asked.  Actually transitional ministry can be a great time to winnow ministry offerings choosing the most essential over the unnecessary.

3.  Only give input when asked.  And when giving input offer more solutions than problems.  There is no need to add burdens onto the lay leadership in the midst of pastoral change.

4.  Pass the baton well by not getting confused about my role.  I am not the starter of the race nor the finisher, just one of the men running a middle leg.  Therefore I do everything possible to help the search team, support the lay leadership, and establish stability across the body.  That way when I leave, everyone is happy knowing we reached the intended goal.

Filed under Family, Leadership, Life, Ministry, Preaching

My Last Mid-Week Article to LBC

May 7, 2012 Leave a comment

Copied from LBC Mid-Week Informer May 7, 2012

 Dear Friends and Family of LBC,

With a heavy heart but a rejoicing spirit, I offer to you my last Mid-Week Informer article.  My final day as interim pastor of LBC will be Sunday, May 27, and since I will be out for two weeks on the study tour of Greece and Turkey, this will be my final weekly installment.

When I arrived back in August 2011, only 10 months ago, I found a church in need of love and care.  From all accounts, emotions were raw, tension was thick and conflict was brimming on all sides.  Walt Browning and Bill Oliver tried to prepare me for the difficult situation the church was facing.  I sensed I was coming into a battlefield. 

Yet when I arrived, I found something very different.  There was an immediate connection between us.  I didn’t find a church engaged in battle, I found a people wanting to love their leader.  I was told by Walt early on, “Our people want to love their pastor and want to be loved by their pastor.”  Those words became the hallmark for what I believed God was calling me to do at LBC – simply love the people. 

And you, my dear brothers and sisters, returned that love immediately back upon me and my family.  There wasn’t a Sunday or Wednesday that went by where I didn’t “feel the love” in our midst.  In our times of worship, in prayer, in Bible study, in meetings, when eating around the table, with the children, the teenagers, the senior adults, the various Sunday school classes, with the staff, the deacons, the ministry teams, everyone showed us amazing, abundant love. 

I’ve often been reminded of Paul’s words to the churches in Galatia when thinking about you, my LBC family.  He writes, “For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have gouged out your eyes and given them to me.” (Gal 4:15b)  I think you might have done the same for me if I asked.

Deep love and kindred spirits are hard to come by these days.  For that I am so grateful to have shared this time with you.  I will look back on our Wednesday night studies with sincere fondness and a smile on my face for every time I made you do something new.  I will cherish the times I spent with Pastor Nehemiah & Stephen on our Google+ video conference staff meetings.  I will remember with joy walking up and down the aisles on Sunday mornings talking with you, shaking hands, asking how your week has gone.  I will continue to celebrate the increase in giving and attendance, the number of children baptized, and the explosion of community awareness and outreach.

Pastor Harold & his family are going to be so blessed because I know you will extend to them the same love you’ve extended to our family. I love each of you and will be praying God’s best for you in the days to come.

Grace and peace,   Shane

Filed under Family, Leadership, Life, Ministry, Preaching

Saying Goodbye to LBC a Second Time

April 30, 2012 1 Comment

Lewisport BC - LBC 1

My home church was LBC – Lewisport Baptist Church.  I love my 1st faith family at LBC with all my heart.  They led me to Christ, grew me up in Jesus, and adopted me as one of their sons in the faith.  I am, and will always be, eternally grateful for the people and minister of LBC.

Lancaster BC - LBC 2

But over this past year, I got a chance to meet and love another LBC – Lancaster Baptist Church.  My new faith family at LBC 2 has become so precious to me. 

They allowed me to lead them in worship, teach them from God’s word, challenge them to lean on the power of God, and reach their community in new ways.  They opened their hearts to me and for a second time I was adopted as a LBC son.

I will officially be completing my fourth interim pastorate later this month.  Each has been a new experience for me.  Living Grace Church in 2008 was all about learning how pastoral transitions work.  Parkway Bapt Church in 2009 taught me what it means to teach on a larger scale to wider diversity of people.  Bethany Bapt Church in 2010-11 stretched me personally and spiritually.  I always thought ministry in a major city would be easy because of all the people and needs, but it was much harder than I expected.

And now Lancaster Bapt. Church.  LBC 2 taught me it is possible to deeply love a people in a short amount of time.  I learned that I really love ministry when people love to be loved by their pastor.  I have teared up more than once thinking about these fine brothers and sisters in Christ who I’ve only known for 9 months, but feels like we’ve been friends for a lifetime. 

Thank you LBC 2.  Your new pastor is going to be awesome.  Your ministry in the future is going to be bright.  You will always hold a very special place in my heart.

Filed under Family, Leadership, Life, Ministry, Preaching

Portrait of Family Ministry

April 23, 2012 Leave a comment

One of my students wanted to take a picture supposedly showing a portrait of family ministry.  With the husband leading the wife and children.

Here is the Garrison version.  Play close attention to the superhero on one side and the stick-figure on the other.  Who’s leading who?

And in BW.

Filed under Family, Leadership, Life, Ministry

Bahamas Honeymoon 2.0 – Part 2

March 19, 2012 Leave a comment

Filed under Family

KBC Imagine Conference 2012 – ParaKlete Your Kids

February 11, 2012 Leave a comment

This is the message from the KY Bapt. Conv. Imagine Preschool & Children’s Ministry entitled “ParaKlete Your Kids.”

Filed under Family, Ministry, Preaching, Teaching

Winter Ministry Opportunities

January 14, 2012 Leave a comment

With the first winter snow still on the ground, I thought I would give everyone an update of some ministry opportunities for Jennifer and I over the next few months.  God keeps opening doors for us to serve Him in a variety ways throughout His kingdom.

@Campbellsville University.  Of course, I am teaching a full load this time including classes in Leading Small Groups, Children’s Ministry, and Gospel & Postmodernity.  My Small Groups class includes 17 students who will each be leading a small group of their own.  The potential is to see over 100 student discipled in a network of small groups based out of our class.

Jennifer is also teaching Women in Ministry this semester as an adjunct instructor.  She has 22 in her class which is the most this class has ever had.  She gets back to her Ph.D. course work in February.

@KyBaptist Imagine Conference.  February 10-11, I will be one of the key note speakers at the 2nd Imagine Preschool and Children’s Ministry Conference at Parkway Bapt Church in Bardstown.  Last year there was over 500 people in attendance from around the state.

@BCM Valentine’s Service.  Jennifer and I get to share with the Bapt. Campus Ministry students this semester on biblical manhood and womenhood during their V-day worship service.  This will be the first time I’ve been asked to speak to a BCM group since we’ve been back to CU.  Very excited.

@Lowell Avenue Baptist Church.  In March, I will be leading an one-day Bible Study Teacher training event at Lowell Ave. BC, a church here in Campbellsville.  A great church led by Pastor Dave Walters and Assoc. Pastor Trent Creason.

@Lancaster Baptist Church.  I continue serving as the interim pastor of LBC.  We have agreed as a church to walk together in the 90 Day Vision which attempts to make an impact on every generation in Lancaster and Garrard Co. in the next 90 days (Jan. 8 till April 8).  We are praying for over 600 in attendance on Easter weekend, which would be the largest attendance in more than 8 years.  God is able to do abundantly more than we could think or ask (Eph. 3:20).

Finally, in March Jennifer and I will be celebrating our 10th anniversary with a special trip.  Our anniversary is actually on April 6, but that is on Good Friday.  Not the best day to travel.  So during spring break, we will take some time to thank God for 10 great years together and rekindle our relationship with a no-kids trip to a warm location.

Filed under Family, Leadership, Life, Ministry, Preaching, Travel

2012 Thru the Front View Mirror

December 27, 2011 1 Comment

All leaders want to look forward and see what’s coming on the horizon.  Every year I write 5 to 7 goals for myself in several categories: spiritual, financial, marriage & family, career, personal.  I like to think, envision and dream about the future.  If you don’t have a target, you’ll hit it everytime. 

For 2011, I met 5 of my 7 goals (71.4%).  Not too bad.  Those were:

  1. Spiritual:  Finish Bethany Bapt Church well.
  2. Financial:  Wipe out medical and credit card debt and pay for everyone’s (Jennifer, Isaac and Ethan) school tuition in cash.
  3. Parenting:  Build the boys a tree fort and have a camp out.
  4. Personal:  Get below 170 lbs for the first time since we were married.
  5. Marital:  Determine Jennifer’s career re-entry plan.

I didn’t complete two goals: 1) career – find a publisher for Theology 4 Kids (my book).  I was turned down 3x’s.  Stink!  Or 2) financial - buy a new car in cash.  Both vehicles are still running fine and didn’t need replacing, which I am very thankful for.

So what’s on the horizon for 2012.  Here’s the list. 

  1. Spiritual:  Finish Lancaster Bapt well.  Ending an interim pastorate is like landing a plane on an air craft carrier.  You have to do it perfectly or a lot of people get hurt.  This will be my 4th landing.
  2. Financial:  Knock out a huge chunk of Jennifer’s Ph.D. tuition, maybe the whole thing in one year.  That would means a lot of extra work.  Summer school here I come.
  3. Marital:  Celebrate our 10 year anniversary in a big way.  Can we say Honeymoon 2.0?
  4. Parenting:  Read all the Gospels to my boys.  We are halfway thru the 7 Chronicles of Narnia books and it is going really well.
  5. Career:  Find a publisher and get a contract on the book.  Gotta keep pushing and seeking the right fit for this project.
  6. Personal:  Travel on the Apostles & Epistles Tour to Turkey & Greece.  This will complete my biblical lands cycle (e.g., Israel, Egypt, Rome, Italy, and Jordan).
  7. Personal:  Select a charity and get involved at a higher level.  Preferably something the whole family can volunteer in and support from our community.

What’s your goals for 2012?

Filed under Family, Leadership, Life, Ministry, Study, Teaching, Travel, Writing

2011 from the Rear View Mirror

December 27, 2011 Leave a comment

Usually I dislike reading The Year in Review.  Whether on TV or in magazines, I don’t find myself wanting to read what was hot and what was not.  I prefer setting goals for the upcoming year and moving forward.  But 2011 has been pretty cool for the Garrison family, so I would look back and look ahead.

In January, I spent time in Amman, Jordan teaching teachers which was a great honor.  Jordan has quite a few biblical locations which means plenty of sight-seeing.  It also meant spending some time with a dear friend and brother.

In the winter and early spring, Jennifer got to teach her first two college courses at CU and began the admission process for her Ph.D.  After years of being a full-time stay-at-home mom, we came to terms with her future career plan, once the boys are in school.  She loves teaching and loved the college environment, so doctoral work became her goal.  She got into the Ph.D. program in Family at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

In July, I finished being the interim pastor of Bethany Baptist Church in Louisville and in August became the interim pastor of Lancaster Baptist Church in Garrard Co.  God keeps providing ministry opportunities in strategic churches where I can, hopefully, be a blessing in times of transition.

In August, Jennifer started school and everything changed at our house.  Her work demanded an intense regiment of reading, studying, and writing.  Our weekly schedule shifted to include multiple “Boy Conferences.”  This is where mom is in my office (which she calls the chamber of secrets) and we boys entertain ourselves.  I became Boy Conference president in October.  Ethan did a great job as president last year. 

Also in August, I received the Non-Tenured Faculty of the Year award from CU.  I couldn’t believe I won.  These first 3 years have been so amazing.  Additionally, I was placed on the SACS 10 Year Reaffirmation team, which means great job security for the next 4 years.

Finally in August, we also had both of our boys in part-time school.  Isaac as a half-a-day kindergartener and Ethan as a 2-day per week glowworm.  Both at the Campbellsville Christian Church Center for Christian Education.

In September & October, it was all soccer.  We learned Isaac is pretty good and is built for the game – good speed, good accuracy, leadership in competition.  Ethan continues to show great skill and ability in all things athletic.  He will be a force next year.

In December, we celebrate that Isaac has read 150 books so far this year.  He is seeking a new school record of 243.  And Ethan has been on the green light all semester long, which is a miracle in and of itself.  Jennifer has made it through her first full semester in flying colors and will be teaching “Women in Ministry” this Spring at CU.  My interim at Lancaster BC is going very well.  Work at CU could not be any better.

God is faithful.  Serving Him is a joy and honor.  10 years of marriage with hardly no disruption.  Two great kids.  We are blessed beyond measure.

Filed under Family, Leadership, Life, Ministry, Preaching, Teaching, Travel

Merry Christmas from the Garrison’s

December 15, 2011 1 Comment

From our family to yours, we wish you a Merry Christmas.  And no, I am not the Grinch.

Filed under Family, Life

Ethan’s 4th Birthday Party

October 31, 2011 1 Comment

Listen carefully as Ethan wishes for invisible powers as he blows out the candle.  What else would a super hero need for his 4th birthday.

Filed under Family, Life

My Testimony to Faith in Christ

October 31, 2011 Leave a comment

This is my story to coming to faith in Jesus Christ.  I am eternally thankful to my home church, Lewisport Baptist Church, and the faithful men and women who led me to Jesus.

Filed under Family, Life, Ministry

Jennifer Swoons Over Sam

October 25, 2011 Leave a comment

My wife hasn’t smiled this much since our wedding.  I think she was in la-la land with Mr. Sam Bowie, former UK great and NBA All-Star.  I didn’t get jealous, I mean,  come on he’s a legend.

Filed under Family, Life

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