What I am learning at Lake Junalaska

     I am in sunny, warm and humid Lake Junalaska attending a coaching training for superintendents and DCMes.  It is the second training I have taken in the coaching approach to ministry.   This training is where we learn the advanced coaching techniques.
     What is the coach approach I can hear you asking?  The coach approach assumes that God has placed in each of us the wisdom we need.  The coach walks alongside a person or group who are trying to attain goals and helps to ask the right questions that will get them where they need to be.  A coach is not an expert, counselor or supervisor. Coaches listen deeply and can help a person identify what is holding them back from attaining their goals.   A coach helps with accountability by having the person being coached set goals and then meeting with them to check in and see how things are going.
     When I took my first coaching training I realized that this is how I operate best and naturally.  I am excited to learn more.  There have been several pastors and churches that I have been in a coaching relationship with in the Alaska Conference.   If you or your church would like to talk more about this opportunity please contact me.  
     I believe that God is waiting for us to be in relationship with our communities and to go where God is leading us to share the good news of Jesus Christ.

I Was Just Wondering...

In the past year I have become a fan of "Groupon".  Every day I receive in my email a coupon or deal for something in my area.  I have to confess I have purchased several of them.   This kind of sales tactics is becoming popular and there are an number of different groups you can get coupons through. 


I was just wondering... about the church... would this work for the church.  We know that our numbers are down. Could it possibly be that people don't know what a good deal they get when they attend church and become involved in a faith community?  Statistics show that when children attend church they are better behaved and less likely to make poor decisions as teenagers.


People who are part of a faith community are more aware of the bigger picture around the world - especially of those in need.  Faith communities offer support and love during the joys in life and during the difficult times. If you live away from your family a faith community can become instant grandparents, aunts, uncles, sisters, brothers...


I was just wondering if we are selling the church short by not letting people know what a good deal it is.  What if we told people how we have been changed by being part of a church?   What if people in our area opened  up their email tomorrow morning looking for the latest great deal coupon - and they found a coupon for free child care while they worshipped, or a God that would love them no matter where they have been or what they have done, or a coupon that guaranteed them to find someone who had been where they are when they became involved in a faith community...


I was just wondering...

What is it about my relationship with Jesus Christ the world cannot live without?

God has always been present in my life even when things were not going well.  I believe it started when my mother was pregnant with me.  She planned to put me up for adoption but after I was born decided to marry my father and keep me.  I had a grandmother who I know was doing a lot of praying.  God was a part of keeping me with my parents.


When I was a teenager I was very involved in church and leadership in youth group.  I often preached as a youth and had many God moments that I enjoyed sharing with others.  It was at this young age that I developed my passion for the church and saw it as a gift from God.  God is the one who put that burning passion in me and keeps the fire going.


I married my husband Jon Disburg.  Both of us were Christians and actively involved in the church.  Early in our marriage we had a number of miscarriages and we had two babies who died.  Even in the midst of these struggles I knew that God was there.  When I was angry at God and turned away from the church - I knew that God was there because we had people from the church calling us and encouraging us and reminding us that God loved us and so did they.


We were blessed with two beautiful children, finally.   I began to wrestle with God and not knowing what I was supposed to be doing.  Finally I was able to answer the call to the ordained ministry, went to seminary and was ordained.  Even though it was not easy to leave my girls three days a week to attend seminary I knew that God was there looking out for all of us.  God came to us in the form of family and friends who helped out and encouraged us.


When I think about people that do not have a relationship with Jesus Christ, I am saddened to realize that they do not know a relationship that sustains, uplifts, empowers, encourages and never waivers.  God and Christ come to us in the form of other human beings.  To realize God's presence in others not only is encouraging but helps me to love all human beings.


Facing joy is wonderful with Christ at my side.  Surviving through hardships would be impossible without God's ever present encouragement and love.


WHAT IS IT ABOUT YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS CHRIST THE WORLD CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT?