In this heartfelt episode of the "Pulpit Perspectives" podcast, Host Reverend Dr. Kent Lundy welcomes Pastor Bette Thompson from the Jamestown United Methodist Church in Elkhart, Indiana. As she celebrates her first anniversary with the church, Pastor Bette offers listeners a profound glimpse into her joys, struggles, and enduring faith journey in a spirited and illuminating discussion.

From the very outset, Pastor Bette’s vibrant spirit shines through. She finds her greatest joy in witnessing the congregation's attentive, smiling faces and engaging deeply with the children during Sunday services. By sharing these moments, she reveals a central takeaway for all to ponder: True joy in ministry comes from the connection and shared experiences with one’s congregation.

Pastor Bette's path to ministry wasn't straightforward. She recounts how her curiosity about the life of a pastor led her to vocational ministry, thanks in part to the mentorship she received at Mishawaka First United Methodist Church and a pivotal experience at Senior High Institute at Epworth Forest. This journey underscores a key takeaway: Mentorship and authentic encouragement within the local church are vital in nurturing the next generation of spiritual leaders.

In a more whimsical segment, Dr. Lundy asks Pastor Bette whom she would take for an imaginary axe-throwing session. Her choice, the Apostle Paul, provides insight into her admiration for his dogged determination and unwavering focus on Christ, even in adversity. This engaging analogy brings home another important takeaway: Drawing strength and inspiration from biblical figures can bolster and guide one's ministry today.

Pastor Bette also shares some personal wisdom about the need for patience in ministry, learned through the rigors of pastoral work. Recognizing and respecting the congregation's pace of transformation is essential— a lesson that came the hard way. This serves as a reflective takeaway: Patience and empathy are crucial in guiding a congregation through change and transformation.

Toward the end of the episode, when asked to encapsulate her ministry legacy in three words, Pastor Bette chooses "Love with Passion." She elaborates on this by emphasizing the importance of unconditional love—for others and oneself. In her words, loving fully, even in quiet moments when no one is watching, is central to her message. This provides a final and resonant takeaway: The essence of enduring ministry is to love with authenticity and passion, bringing forth God's love in every interaction.

Tune in to this inspiring episode for an enriching conversation that encourages both clergy and laity to find joy, patience, and passionate love in their spiritual journeys. Catch the full episode now and be uplifted by Pastor Bette's genuine warmth and insightful wisdom.

To stay updated on the activities and ministry in the North District, follow their Facebook page. For more comprehensive information about the Indiana Annual Conference, visit www.inumc.org.

Join us next time for another episode filled with encouragement and community connection.

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In this insightful episode of "Pulpit Perspectives Podcast," host Kent Lundy sits down with Pastor Larry Chrisman from Coalbush United Methodist Church in the North District for a candid conversation about his journey into vocational ministry, the joy of witnessing faith-sharing within his congregation, and the experiences that have shaped his pastoral mission.

Pastor Larry Chrisman opens the discussion by sharing the profound joy he derives from watching his church members actively engage in faith outreach. He passionately describes how seeing parishioners invite others to church services and share their personal faith stories has been a transformative and uplifting experience for him. This joy fuels his commitment to fostering a community where faith is not just a private affair but a shared journey.

One of the pivotal moments in Pastor Larry’s life was his unexpected call to ministry. From an early age, Chrisman believed he was destined to become a priest, a conviction instilled by his mother. However, his life's trajectory took a significant turn when he met his wife during a retreat at the age of 15. This encounter led him to leave behind his aspirations of priesthood and eventually find a new calling within the United Methodist Church. Through a serendipitous invitation to play bass in a worship band, Pastor Larry’s path to ministry became clear, leading him to full-time pastoral work under the mentorship of Pastor Bob Vale.

Here are key takeaway points from the episode:

Faith in Action: Pastor Larry emphasizes the importance of church members being active in their faith, encouraging them to invite others and share their spiritual journeys. He believes that personal invitations can significantly impact church growth and community building.

Unexpected Callings: Highlighting his own journey, Pastor Larry illustrates how life’s unexpected twists can lead to profound vocational callings. His transition from aspiring Catholic priest to Methodist pastor underscores the mysterious and often surprising ways in which life unfolds.

Ministry and Family: Larry treasures the support and involvement of his family, particularly his wife, who is his loudest cheerleader and his barometer in sermon preparation. The tight-knit bond between their families enriches his pastoral life.

Community Engagement: His tenure at First United Methodist Church of South Bend introduced him to working with the homeless, expanding his understanding and involvement in community ministry. This experience was crucial in shaping his compassionate approach to serving others.

Vision for Growth: Pastor Larry's vision for Coalbush United Methodist Church is encapsulated in the mantra "We will grow." He firmly believes that through persistent outreach, personal faith-sharing, and fostering an inviting church environment, the congregation will continue to thrive.

Kent Lundy and Pastor Larry Chrisman explore themes of personal growth, community involvement, and the dynamic nature of spiritual callings, offering listeners a heartfelt and inspiring narrative that underscores the power of faith in action. Join them for this enriching dialogue and discover how everyday moments and interactions can lead to profound spiritual growth and community transformation.

To stay updated on the activities and ministry in the North District, follow their Facebook page. For more comprehensive information about the Indiana Annual Conference, visit www.inumc.org.

Join us next time for another episode filled with encouragement and community connection.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this inspiring episode of "Pulpit Perspectives Podcast" host Reverend Dr. Kent Lundy sits down with Reverend Karen Koelsch, the senior pastor at Trinity on Jackson United Methodist Church in Elkhart, Indiana. Celebrating her fourth year at the church, Karen shares her journey in ministry, her sources of joy, and invaluable lessons she’s learned along the way.

Karen’s journey into ministry began in her high school years, but it wasn't until she attended Ball State University that she fully embraced her calling. She talks about the pivotal influence of members of the Wesley Foundation and her church mentors, who guided her spiritual growth. A poignant memory she shares is when a close friend affirmed her call to ministry, saying, "It's about time the rest of us have known it for quite a while."

Throughout the episode, Karen touches on several critical aspects that come with being in vocational ministry, offering listeners insightful takeaways:

1 Persistent Joy Amidst Challenges: Karen exhibits a profound understanding that joy in ministry is not about the absence of challenges but rather about finding joy amidst them. She humorously recounts how her 8-month-old puppy can bring joy some days and test her patience on others. This perspective extends into her ministry, emphasizing the importance of maintaining joy even during trying times.

2 Relying on a Supportive Community: When asked who’s in the stands cheering for her, Karen highlights the importance of family, friends, and her covenant group. This powerful imagery reinforces how crucial a supportive community is for anyone in ministry. Those spiritual friends and family members become the bedrock during difficult times.

3 Faith and Perseverance: Karen shares her philosophy, “I can't screw it up so bad that God can't fix it,” demonstrating her resilient faith. This mindset allows her to keep pushing forward, knowing that God’s grace covers all trials and errors. For Karen, daily perseverance fueled by her relationship with Jesus is essential.

4 Ordinary Places Can Be Extraordinary: Reflecting on her profound experiences at Epworth Forest during her formative years, Karen beautifully illustrates how God often works in what appear to be ordinary places. These places become sacred spaces where God’s presence transforms and guides believers.

5 Core Principles of Ministry: Finally, Karen distills her ministry philosophy into three legacy words: try, follow, and rejoice. She believes in always trying, faithfully following Jesus, and never forgetting to rejoice in the good news. These principles guide her mission to make a lasting impact in Elkhart and beyond.

Join us for this heartfelt conversation as Reverend Karen Koelsch shares her wisdom, experiences, and the inspirations that fuel her commitment to ministry. Whether you’re in ministry or looking for spiritual encouragement, this episode offers abundant insights to inspire and uplift.

To stay updated on the activities and ministry in the North District, follow their Facebook page. For more comprehensive information about the Indiana Annual Conference, visit www.inumc.org.

Join us next time for another episode filled with encouragement and community connection.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.