Death by Ministry

   The local church ministry is a dangerous job. It doesn’t appear to be, but statistically it ranks in the same category as deep sea welders and loggers. It is behind crab fishermen, but ahead of munitions workers.

   The overuse of statistics can cause ones eye’s to glaze over and roll back, but I’ll take that risk and share some with you some statistics regarding pastoral ministry as related by Rev. Eugene Cho in an article dated March 14, 2011:

   48% believe that their work is hazardous to their family’s well being
   45% will experience burnout or depression that will make them leave their jobs
   70% report that they’ve had a significant stress-related crisis at least once in their ministry
   33% say that being in ministry is an outright hazard to their family

   The ministry is a complex calling: a calling where compartmentalizing is impossible. I don’t know anyone involved in ministry who leaves their work at the office at the end of the day. A quick stop at the supermarket can result in an impromptu counseling session. Standing in the checkout line can become an opportunity for outreach. Pastoral visits can take place at the post office, coffee shop or restaurant and at the least expected time.

   Peter reminded us to “be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.” (1 Peter 3:15) The truth is that anyone involved in pastoral ministry should not be surprised by the unexpected.

   I love being a pastor and have had the privilege of serving some fine churches filled with many wonderful people. I am thankful that I serve a church that is very encouraging and supportive of my ministry. However, too often that isn’t the case for many of my colleagues.

   Let me encourage you who are trudging through this to care, pray and love the staff that serve your congregation. Be generous and supportive of them. Honor their spouses, love their children, pray for them and regularly share your appreciation and affirmation.

   Let me state clearly that this is a two-way street. Let me encourage pastors, ministers, clergy and church staff to care, pray and love the congregation you are called to serve. We get what we give. Mutual admiration and support should exist between the clergy and the congregants.

   Despite the intense nature of pastoral ministry, it is immensely rewarding and fulfilling. A recent survey stated that clergy ranked by far as the most satisfied and most generally happy of 198 occupations surveyed. Eighty-seven percent of clergy said they were “very satisfied” with their work, compared with an average of 47 percent of all workers.

   While pastoral ministry is at times exhausting, draining, depressing and overwhelming, it is also meaningful and fulfilling.

   God bless you pastors. God bless your spouses and your children. May you bless your flock and may you be blessed by them. Together may you bless the Lord!

I didn't think I was lost until I was found

   On Labor Day 2011 my definition and understanding of family began to change for me.


   I grew up in a blended family long before it became common. My older brother’s father died when he was a toddler. My father abandoned my mother before I was born and I grew up knowing nothing about him. My younger brother’s father is the man who raised me and is one of the finest men I know. (My mom and “dad” will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary this November!)

   We were a family with three boys with the same mother; different fathers and different last names. Believe it or not, that was quite uncommon in the 1960s.

   Growing up I never spent a lot of time wondering about my biological father. It didn’t seem that important to me. After I married and became an adoptive dad, I realized how difficult it is growing up with no knowledge of family history, medical history and the like. Not only did I have to leave the family history section of medical forms blank for my children, I had to do the same for me. The family “tree” assignments in elementary school only added to the mystery.

   In 2004, I began a search that resulted in getting most of the legal documents that I needed to try to locate my biological father. My major motivation was to obtain medical history, as my mother battled breast cancer and other health issues. I used an internet “people search” service that provided 5 names and addresses that met my search criteria. I sent 5 letters; 4 were returned. One letter was never returned and I filed the information away for another day.

   Through the years, Sharna and I have had conversations about the very real possibility that my biological father could have remarried and had children that would be my half-siblings.

   Last Monday (Labor Day 2011) that possibility became reality.

   Sharna and I had gone to Abilene for a Labor Day getaway. After breakfast, I received two Facebook messages asking if I had ever wondered if I had any paternal relatives. They had reason to believe that I was their cousin and brother respectively. I VERY cautiously responded by stating that I knew little about my biological father and family, but I was curious about what they knew. From my initial search in 2004, I knew enough to determine whether the information they would provide was accurate or a scam.

   The response I received was stunning to say the least.

   My biological father left his family in western Tennessee in the 1950s and joined the Air Force. He was stationed at Cannon Air Force base in Clovis, New Mexico. After his discharge from the military, he worked for the railroad. He met and married my mother, but left after she became pregnant. After some intriguing legal proceedings they were divorced and the story appears to end.

   As time went on, my father married, had 3 children, was divorced from their mother and continued his life. He never told them about his family in Tennessee or about a son in New Mexico. In 1994, they received a phone call from a cousin who told them that she had promised her grandmother that she would find her son and reunite him with the family if possible. It was at that time that 3 siblings learned that they had an older brother. They learned that their grandmother longed for the day when her son would return and she would be able to meet her grandson. She did not live to see that accomplished, but her granddaughter kept her promise.

   Through the years, the siblings talked often of finding their brother, but did not really know how to go about it. They did not have a lot of information to go on, just my name. They weren’t sure they my name was the same. The possibility existed that my dad had adopted me and changed my name. (He seriously considered that, but determined that I was entitled to my own identity and my name.)

   Last Sunday (9-4-11), the subject came up once again and one of them mentioned that just about everyone is on Facebook and that I might be as well. They entered my name, sorted through the results and saw my picture! They saw that my hometown is Clovis, New Mexico and knew that they had found me.

   Since then, I have learned that along with the 2 brothers that I grew up with, I have 2 sisters and a brother, that my biological father is alive and well, and that I have lots of family in Tennessee.

   I have talked with my sisters and hope to talk with my brother soon. I haven’t talked with my father yet as I am still trying to process everything. I am certain that I will travel to the midwest in the near future to meet them.

   What does the future hold? Certainly, nothing changes in regards to the family that supported, nurtured and cared for me for 54 years. I love and care for them as I always have.

   I am enjoying getting to know the sisters, brothers and cousins that I never knew I had.

   I look forward to meeting my father and getting to know and understand him. Like others of the James Dean era, I understand that he sought to live life on his own terms, even if that caused disappointment and heartache. Personal responsibility and accountability are such a huge part of who I am. I struggle with understanding why he would make the choices he made. Perhaps we can learn from each other.

   I am humbled by the knowledge that my cousins and siblings sought to find me even though I wasn’t aware that I was lost. I am overwhelmed by their excitement and desire to know me. I’m amazed that I had a grandmother who expressed her love for me to others even though she knew nothing about me and never would.

   Someone whom I admire and appreciate posted the following on her Facebook page a day or so ago: "It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man." - Psalm 118:8 Sometimes things happen in life that we just don't understand. But then God's bigger plan is revealed.

   I’m not sure what God’s bigger plan in all of this is, but I’m glad that I get to be a part of it and look forward to seeing it come to fruition.

   The past week has been quite a roller coaster ride. It has been good therapy for me to get the story as I understand it in writing. I’ll do my best to keep you up to date.

   Keith Alan Gibbons (Rev. Elvis)

Home Repair/Improvement Randomness

Wow! Home ownership is a real trip! I'm still amazed at the realtor "move in ready" sales pitch! The devil (Satan himself?) is in the details!

Thanks to Allied Home Warranty, we have had a new AC blower motor installed, new dishwasher, hot water heater and the house re-keyed at minimum costs to us! Thanks to OUR realtor who recommended that we buy it when the sellers declined to pay the $350 bucks for it as a courtesy!

In addition to all that, WE have repaired a number of plumbing issues, installed a timer on the water heater, installed a dryer vent (house didn't have one... Go figure!) and are in the process of taking care of their hideous paint job!

Garage doors and "operators" (the current term for openers now days) will be next, maybe this week! The roof will certainly come in the future... Carpets, flooring and the kitchen will have their turn!

The amazing thing is that Yahweh keeps making it possible for us to make the repairs and improvements without incurring any debt! I hope he likes what we're doing... After all it is HIS house! We're blessed to live in it!

That is all!

Rev Elvis


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Location:The Big O

Things that strike me as funny...

A woman claims to see God spelled out in her veins...

Rush Limbaugh asked why it was taking Weiner so long to pull out...

A group of atheists are suing the city of Little Rock for posting ads on their busses that read "There's probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life."...

The power went out in our church just as we were beginning worship on PENTECOST Sunday!... Wonder if Yahweh meant anything by that?

A couple bought a house only to discover it was infested with snakes! They had sign a document stating that they knew about it, but their realtor assured them that it was just a story made up by the previous owners to get out of the mortgage! The couple has recently been diagnosed with "snake related post-traumatic stress disorder." Ya think???!!!

Vancouver Canuck fans riot and burn their town when team loses game 7! Wonder what they would have done had they won?

San Francisco plans to ban the purchase of goldfish. This is in addition to their ban on kittens, puppies and hamsters! It is a part of the Board of Supervisors ongoing effort to discourage "impulse buys" of animals! "Hey honey! There is a guy on the corner selling animals out of his mini-van. I think it is time to buy that camel I've always wanted.

Obama on losing cool factor: "It's not as cool to be an Obama supporter as it was in 2008." Really?

Be groovy! Winning!








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Location:The Big O

Joplin

   I just talked with my parents who live in Webb City, Missouri, which is only a stoplight north of Joplin. The devastation is as real as it looks. Their church (College Heights Christian) has had 70 of their families lose their homes that they are aware of at this time. They are serving as a base for receiving and sorting items that are literally being sent from all over the country.

   At this time they are being overwhelmed with amazing abouts of items that need to be sorted, packaged and distributed, as well as fielding phone calls from people wanting to help and/or needing help.

   The best way to help at this time is to send donations to help people get back on their feet. I would suggest a number of places to donate through: The Salvation Army and The Red Cross are the best known relief agencies. Some others are: Week of Compassion (Disciples of Christ), Samaritan's Purse (Franklin Graham), International Disaster Emergency Services aka I.D.E.S. (Independent Christian Church/Churches of Christ) and World Vision. I am certain that you can find the web addresses available for each of those organizations via google.

   The College Heights church is also receiving donations to help. Their address is: College Heights Christian Church, 4311 E. Newman Road Joplin, MO 64801.

   My parents wanted to make sure that I express their deepest appreciation for the prayers and outpouring of love and concern for them and their community. They are amazed!

Saturday thoughts

Sitting at IHOP eating, praying, planning and pondering how blessed I am to be in Odessa...

I can't imagine being anywhere else. I've felt that way about my other three ministry stops the past (almost) 30 years. I've never been a "grass is greener over there" type of minister. I know plenty who are. I've heard of pastors who are always shopping their resumes looking for a vertical move toward larger churches, more money, speaking engagements and the like. That just isn't me.

I'm pleased that in each of the places I've served there have been people that God has placed in my path that I have been able to develop a relationship with and influence them to become more dedicated followers of Christ. There haven't been thousands like Peter influenced on the Day of Pentecost... more like Phillip in Acts 8.

My point? Still a mystery even to me... Actually the point is a "bloom where you are planted" thing and be grateful that the Lord of the universe chooses to allow to be a part of the process!



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Location:IHOP

Busy Saturday?

Not sure what plans you have for Saturday, but you might spend some time with the Lord just in case the prediction of Christ's return is accurate...

The love of my life has a training meeting for an upcoming Emmaus weekend, so I'll probably go to breakfast and maybe work in the yard. That is if the Lord doesn't come, which we will know whether he has know by Friday afternoon. How do I know that? Because with the International Dateline being where it is Saturday actually begins on Friday here... That is unless Yahweh operates in the time zones of the Western Hemisphere...

I did finish my sermon for Sunday, so I'm ready either way! Are you?


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Location:The Big O

Randomness

I haven't posted a randomness in some time, so here goes...

Without a doubt the worst trade in baseball was the Boston Red Sox trading the "Babe" to the Yankees. Without a doubt the worst trading organization has got to be the Houston Astros! How many outstanding players have they traded only to get mediocre prospects? Last year they traded Lance Berkman who helped the Yankees reach the playoffs and now is with the Cardinals! He just burned them on a three run homer... Houston, you need a baseball owner, not a grocery store trucker...

Is there a stat for the team that leaves the most runners on base? I'm willing to bet the Astros are the all-time leader!

I was bemoaning the awful winds and lack of rain here in the oil garden when I saw the video of the destruction and devastation left by the tornados. It isn't that bad here after all.

I was reminded this afternoon that love and happiness are based more on the choices we make than on the things that happen to us. I was sharing that with a young couple in a pre-marital counseling session when I realized that I needed to be reminded of that! It is interesting how Yahweh does that!

Yesterday was Professional Assistant's Day. It used to be "Secretary's Day", but it has morphed into what it is. This is the first church that I have served that has a "Professional Assistant" and I am truly blessed by her! I think I have above average administrative / management / leadership skills, but having her makes me more efficient. I'm very grateful to work with Judy Gaines!

So the birth certificate has been released... So what! I agree with the President (and probably the only thing that I agree with him on) is that we have much more important things to deal with!

Rev David Wilkerson was killed in a car wreck this week. He is best known for his outreach to the street gangs in New York. I read "Run Baby Run" over and over again when I was in Junior High school. I heard him preach at First Baptist Church in Clovis, New Mexico in 1972 (?) with "Dallas Holm and Praise" doing the music! "Well done faithful servant!"

I'm done for now...

Location:Casa de Gibbons

Hunting Eggs...

So I go into my office, sit down and turn on the computer and start working... I glance over to my right and I see an Easter egg! I look around and there are Easter eggs meticulously placed around my office!

I've found eight so far. Each one has a sticker, bible reference or a note of encouragement inside.

What a nice way to start the week! Thank you Easter bunny!!


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Location:Bethany Christian

Friday

Let me see...   attended a funeral for a church member, realized while I was driving that I had forgotten  my wallet & driver's license... came home to cat puke on the bedspread for the second time THIS week!...  called Black & Decker because our mini-fridge has stopped working, was told that there was nothing they could do... then opened the mail to find that our house payment is going up $215 a month because our escrow account was too low (I guess that means either taxes have gone UP or some financial guru didn't figure it correctly...  the wind continues to blow parts of El Paso, Eastern New Mexico and Amarillo by us...  so this is Friday, my day off!   Great.........

Communion?

Had lunch with my parents and our good friends from Midland. Over steakfingers, we discussed the Lord, faith, worship and many other aspects of Christianity. It was a great time!

Thinking and talking about communion, my thoughts led me to the conclusion that we were having communion! Communion is more than a vital part of the worship. Communion is the body of Christ sharing their lives together where the happen to me!


While talking, my friend mentioned that I haven't blogged much lately. I suppose I need to do better. Perhaps I will!

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Location:Andrews Hwy,Odessa,United States

Sunday

Most Sunday mornings are good... I enjoy worship and communion. However today was especially meaningful! Why? Not sure... We didn't do anything out the ordinary and attendance was average. I had some struggles this week, as well as some victories, but that is true every week. So what made the difference? Attitude? Preparation?
Ultimately it was the presence of the Lord! Maybe I need to keep my eyes open and my heart prepared...

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Location:Home

Test

I'm test driving a new app... It is supposed to make it possible for me to update my Facebook, Twitter and Blog at the same time. Let's see if it works!


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Purpose of planning for emergencies

   The purpose of planning for emergencies? Try a $1200 root canal with a crown yet to come for one of your kids! Not too many years ago it would have been financial disaster... Now it is a major inconvenience! Not pleasant, but no credit card interest!

   Could your family handle such a thing? You can if you plan and prepare for it!

   The question is: Will you?

Valentine's Day: This is how it's done!

I dropped the love of my life off for a manicure, pedicure and haircut and style.  We'll go to dinner after I pick her up. Guys: That's how it's done... Go thou and do likewise! The master has spoken... Err typed!

What to do?

I am beginning to wonder if I should continue this blog... As you (if anyone is actually reading this!) can tell, I seldom post anything. I really don't know why, but I guess it comes down to not taking the time to sit and write.  I update Facebook and Twitter at least once a day and have running conversations with people there. For some reason it seems like this is a lot harder to post on than Facebook or Twitter.  Not sure why, but it does.

Oh, well, I guess I'll keep it for now and try to be more diligent in the posting....

What do you think?

Radio/Television Randomness Rant

   I suppose I got a little spoiled living an hour away from the fourth largest city in the land.  You see, I'm a media junkie.  I love radio and television and enoyed having an abundance of high quality and for the most part profession broadcasts available.

   Out here in the Big O, there aren't many choices. I would expect that as it would be considered a small to medium media market.  However, one would expect that folks that have degrees in radio/television communications would be able to read and report information in such a way as to be able to listen to it easily.  Unfortunately, that isn't the case.  Perhaps it is because I read well. Not to brag, but I think I read  very well and I get anoyed when things aren't read well.

   A couple of botherations involve "dead air" on the radio and the lack of  sporting events on radio here.  It seems to me that this market could support live broadcasts of college and professional football. 

   Oh well... iTunes has finished downloading so I had better get onto something important...