Our North Alabama Conference Vision statement is, “Every church
challenged and equipped to grow more disciples of Jesus Christ by
taking risks and changing lives.” Forest Lake’s vision statement is,
“Changing Lives By Making Jesus Real.” One of the two emphases of
my ministry among you is, “Discipleship/Outreach” which is precisely
linked to our overall vision/mission statements which DNA is derived
from our Lord’s commission read in Matthew 28:19-20. “Go therefore
and make disciples of all nations…”

One way I will begin providing leadership in the area of discipleship
is my offering of “Soul Sailing”, which is an eight week course taught
on Wednesday evenings. The eight sessions are built around five
principles and practices which provide the basis for a discipleship
preparation experience. These five principles and practices are:

Spiritual Journey
Biblical Faith
Spiritual Gifts
Christian Community
Kingdom Service

A vital component of this study is a covenant of sixteen hours of
study and reflection. Eight hours are spent in personal study and
reflection and the additional eight hours are spent in group sessions
with the group meeting weekly for eight weeks. As a result of this
eight week course, participants will be enriched in their spiritual
journey through the practice of prayer, scripture reading, Christian
fellowship, understanding of spiritual gifts as applied to mission and
ministry with direct involvement in mission and ministry in and through
Forest Lake. Those who are new to the faith or those who are wanting
to learn more what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ, will have
the same opportunity to learn and dialogue with others about their faith
journey.

The cost of this course is $10.00 which covers the cost of class
materials. Participants must commit to attending all eight sessions,
plus I need to limit the course to no more than twenty-five persons and
registration for the course is also required. You may simply call the
church office and leave a message on my voice mail, or email me at
hnoble@forestlakeumc.org.

In addition to this course, I will be providing trip information which
will enhance our understanding and appreciation of United Methodist
mission and history.

Some of the trips I have on the drawing board are the United Methodist
Committee on Relief in Mississippi; Lake Junaluska; the Upper Room in
Nashville; Epworth By The Sea, St. Simons Island Georgia and, a Methodist
Heritage Tour in England.

On another note, the rumor mill has been producing talk of my “going to
Taylorville UMC.” Briefly, I received a phone call from our District
Superintendent, Dr. Bill Brunson, Wednesday, August 4th regarding this very
thing and, it was the second call from him. I have been keeping our SPRC
Chair, Charlie Tidmore, Ad. Board Chair, Bob Haraway, Chris and the SPRC
committee informed of these conversations. I have also met with three of the
SPRC committee at Taylorville UMC listening to their needs for an Interim
Pastor. The result of these conversations would be what is called an
“Intentional Interim Minister”, meaning I would be serving as an Interim
Pastor, for a specific amount of time at Taylorville UMC. Nothing will change
in regarding my commitment to you…Forest Lake UMC. Within the next
couple of weeks, a Covenant agreement may be completed between myself,
our DS and the S/PPRC of Taylorville UMC. Once again, I am keeping our
FLUM S/PPRC informed of the process. My office schedule will remain the
same at FLUM which is Wed afternoon and evening, Thursday and Friday. I
will preaching at FLUM the last Sunday of each month unless Chris decides
otherwise. I will be teaching on Wednesday evenings as you have just read
the above, and I will be on call for pastoral care as Chris requests me to do
so. I look forward to detailing this new emphasis of Intentional Interim
Ministry for this District and Conference for which I have received training. To
be sure, there is a real need for trained Clergy to be Interim Ministers in local
churches for a variety of reasons. Perhaps my next article for the newsletter
will provide an interesting insight into this need for and purpose of Intentional
Interim ministry. One way we can all participate is to remember our sister
churches in prayer as they go (grow) through these times of interim pastoral
leadership.

In Christ’s service with you,
Hal