November Breakfast Recap

Thanks to John and Green Pastures for hosting this morning.  John promised us that danishes are better for you than donuts though I think that may be like saying that 1/4 lb burger is better for you than 1/3 lb burger.

I continue to appreciate the growing depth of our conversations in which we are able to discuss everything from cancer to depression to sex offenders to universalism.  Perhaps what makes each of these conversations so rich is that: a) they arise from our situations of ministry or home rather than just from our minds and b) we've developed enough trust to share our struggles and things about which we might disagree.  As part of our mission is to develop trust, I left this morning encouraged.

Another thing about which i am encouraged is the work Brian Olsen has done to establish a similar ministerial group across the interstate in the South End.  Recently Brian and I talked about joining the groups for a meeting and it looks like there  is no better time than the present.  And so, next month we will meet on Wednesday, December 12th at 8:30 at Evangelical Reformed Church just off 74th street not far after you cross South Tacoma Way.    7435 South Madison Tacoma, WA. 98409is the exact address. 

Until then, have a great Thanksgiving,
Ken

October Breakfast - Joyful Pastors?

Thanks to Jeff and Adam for the incredible Ham, egg and mushroom muffins we had this morning.  Tasty.  I really appreciated our time of sharing and conversation.  It was and is an encouragement to me.  Here is  the link to an article by CJ Mahaney that Rich shared entitled "Happy Pastors."  It is both an encouragement and perhaps a gentle challenge to believe for ourselves the stuff we proclaim to others each week. 

Blessings on your month until we meet again on Wednesday, November 14th at 8:30 at Green Pastures Presbyterian on 66th and Junett.  Who knows we may even wade into the waters of a discussion about the elections.

Grace and Peace,
Ken

September Breakfast and Prayer Walk for the Schools

Friends,

What a great way to begin the Fall.  After getting fueled up on donuts and coffee, Rich, Ken, Jeff, John and myself went out (5x5 in this case instead of the 2x2 Jesus sent his disciples) to pray for Manitou Park Elementary, Gray Middle and Mt. Tahoma High.  After praying in front of each school we dropped off a letter to the respective principals letting them know who we are, that we'd prayed for their school and offering our help as it may be needed.

I appreciate the chance not only to pray for these schools but also to walk and talk with some co-laborers here in the community.  Walking and talking, it seems like I remember something about some folks doing that on the road to Emmaus at some point.  Hopefully our eyes were opened in some small or large manner.

The next gathering will be on Wednesday, October 10th at 8:30 at Zion's River where I think we might just get some biscuits and gravy (no pressure Jeff.)

Grace and Peace,
Ken

August Breakfast Recap

We gathered at Evangelical Reformed this morning and broke sweet bread and coffee together.  Thanks to Rich and John for the good conversation about sabbaticals, sending our kids to college, and what it means to keep the main thing the main thing.  Also, thanks for the prayer, which is a whole different kind of food and one that we know our brother Jeff has been receiving while recouping from 'the attack of the blocked gland.'  Our prayers are with you brother.

Our next meeting...

South Tacoma School Prayers

will be a special one as we will gather to specifically pray for and visit 3 neighborhood schools; Manitou Elementary, Gray Middle and Mt. Tahoma High School.  The simple plan is as follows:
1.  Meet at Manitou Park Presbyterian (6613 S. Cheyenne) briefly
2.  Walk to Manitou Elementary and pray
3.  Walk to Gray and pray
4.  Walk to Mt. Tahoma and pray
5.  Depart or depending on the time, go to lunch together at a local Korean joint of John Kim's choosing.

Rich is going to draft a letter that we might offer to the principals simply letting them know we offered some prayers, inviting them to let us know how we can pray for them in the future, and (this is important and a little risky) asking if there are any other ways our congregations might be of support.  Rich would like to include all of the names of the pastors and congregations who plan on attending, so please reply to this e-mail if you plan on joining us.  The date is:

Wednesday, September 12th at 8:30 

Please invite other ministers/churches to join us.  The more the better,

Grace and Peace, 

Ken

June Breakfast

Another South Tacoma Ministers breakfast has come and gone and thanks to Ken Schmidtke's health consciousness, we are none worse for the wear.  Thanks for the bananas, yogurt and strawberry's, our arteries are grateful.

Due to time constraints I will keep this recap short.  Once again it was good to catch up with one another's lives and pray for one another.  In the midst of that, YFC Ken asked the question, "Is this group doing what we'd hoped it would."

In the sense that it is helping each of us feel supported, connected and encouraged in our ministries then the answer was a strong yes.  Each of us remain glad to be a part of the group and feel it is worth continuing.  Our mission is "As ministers in South Tacoma, we desire to develop trust between one another so that when God presents us with an opportunity or challenge that is uniquely suited for us to collectively engage that we would be united enough to faithfully do so."  Our monthly breakfasts have helped us develop trust between one another to the point that we've collaborated on ministry at Gray, presentations from our churches and some marriage ministry stuff.  This has all been good.  On the other hand...


If the sense that this group is helping to connect the leaders of the 30 some churches in South Tacoma to develop trust that might lead to collaboration then the answer is no.   Despite our invitations, the group remains small (which is okay).  What to do.  Here is the plan for the next 3 months.


July 11 at 11:30 - Lunch at a Korean restaurant with John Kim.  Meet at Green Pastures at 11:30
August 15th at 8:30 - Monthly breakfast at Evangelical Reformed
September 11th at 8:30 - Prayer for the schools.  We will meet at Manitou at 8:30am for brief breakfast and then head out to pray for Gray, Manitou and Mt. Tahoma.  This is an event we want to invite as many ministers in the area to join us in as possible.  So we'll start working toward this now.  Please post any ideas you have regarding this in the comments section below.

Grace and Peace, 
Ken

May Breakfast

Ain't nuthin like a red bean pastry to get ya going in the morning.  Big thanks to John for hosting this morning.  I always look forward to the unique and tasty treats we'll find on the table.  I'm also already looking forward to lunch at HoSoonYi (or wherever we end up). 

We had a good conversation around the question, "What is the best way to parent PKs? (preacher's kids)"  You'll have to wait for the book to come out to hear our answers as I think we had some pretty good collective wisdom.  Thanks for the conversation.

Our next breakfast is set for Wednesday, June 13th at 8:30 at the Youth For Christ office on Center Street.  Ken, you can thank Adam for signing you up.  It was great to have Adam with us this morning as he moves deeper into his role of Campus Life/Chaplain at Gray Middle School.

Shaloma in South Tacoma,
Ken

April breakfast

Sorry I missed this one, but I heard things went well.  Apparently I missed biscuits/gravy and some conversation about politics and the church.  Hmm, too tasty things that have the potential for heartburn.  Glad to hear it went well.

Our next gathering is set for Wednesday, May 9th at 8:30 at Green Pastures Church.

See you then if not before,
Ken