Our God-given ORUMC VISION (See vision statement on this website) has directed us down some exciting and God-honoring paths as we seek to make followers of Jesus Christ!  As one of the pastors of this congregation, I am so thankful for and proud of the family of Christians known as Oak Ridge United Methodist Church!     We are experiencing some grace-filled and Holy Spirit ministry momentum days.    For instance, even in the midst of an economic downturn and a tough environment the people of ORUMC continue to reach out in Christ's name in worship, ministry and mission.  Hot meals have been served at the homeless shelter in Greensboro, educational supplies have been gathered and given through VBS, 50 stoves and water filter kits were purchased, transported, and installed in Guatemala, disaster recovery teams have helped at the Gulf Coast, ORUMC has continued to provide a scholarship for an Africa University student,  47 of our youth engaged in mission projects at the N.C. Coast and the list goes on and on.    A 4th worship service - Refinery (for young adults ages 18-30) has begun and is currently averaging 17 in attendance.  More than 250 persos are part of a TLC small group this Fall as at least 26 small groups will be meeting - fellowshipping, praying, sharing in Bible study and supporting a mission/outreach.     As I write this we are at  93% of  where we should be concerning our  MINISTRY INVESTMENT PLAN (Budget).    The congregation's faithful financial stewardship has enabled us to do the above ministries/missions and more.   We have also added a music staff person (Tami Fields) who will begin this month as our new Associate Director of Music.    This is a result of the ORUMC congregational survey.   The survey results were compiled and served as a guide for hiring this new staff person.   

One of my favorite ministry magazines arrived in the mail this week.    I love to read through this resource because I find it such a great source of information and inspiration.   One particular article grabbed my attention in this issue, probably because it was on the topic of homosexuality and I knew I would soon be preaching on this issue.   The article is entitled, "Who's Your Leper?"     The article asks, "Who is not welcome in your church?  in your circle of friends?  in your life at all?"      It's tough to really answer these questions honestly .  And if we are truthful the honest answers can be difficult to hear and process.  There is a list of those who are shunned by some Christians and the list includes homosexuals, divorced people, the homeless, HIV/AIDS survivors, those with addictions, and many more.
As we read through the Gospel accounts we observe Jesus time and time again reaching out to the outcast and the downtrodden - those who are misfits and shunned from society.

Abortion is a complicated and divisive issue in America, in part because it strains the capacity of our culture and political system to discover a way to protect the life of the unborn in a society shaped by the value of individual rights and freedom.    We Americans cherish the cultural value of being free to make our own decisions without interference from government.

It seems to me sad and wrong that creationists bad mouth and discount evolutionists and that evolutionists bad mouth and discount creationists.  Over the last 150 years (2009 marks the 150th anniversary of Darwin's "Origin of Species") each camp has been digging in their heels deeper and deeper.  

No matter how many times I've heard it, I love that story told about the lady who asked her pastor to come and see her to discuss her funeral plans.   This well prepared lady gave the pastor a list of funeral plans.   On the list were included scripture readings, congregational hymns and other special portions for the service.    She even had listed the clothing she had selected for her burial.   The attentive minister listened and confirmed her plans.   Then, as he got up to go, almost reaching the front door, the woman suddenly remembered something else.  "One more thing, preacher.   When they put me in that casket I want you to make sure they put a fork in my right hand.   And when folks visiting at the funeral home ask about the fork I want you to tell them what it means.  You see, I've been attending church dinners for years.   And every time we have one of those church meals, when we get close to finishing our plate of food somebody will always say,  "Now keep your fork.  The best is yet to come!"

Every year I approach VBS with one thought..."What family is going to be most blessed by VBS"?  Each year is different and the stories are always interesting.  I've had years when families used VBS as a way for the kids to be watched while a parent underwent surgery, years when a family member died and we watched the kids while the family made arrangements, times when grandparents got the grandkids for a week and they wanted to make sure the grandkids learned about Jesus, we've had too many stories to describe here too. In my twenty years of organizing VBS, this year, I finally realized, every family is blessed by VBS, but none moreso then my own.  VBS is for many a family event, and this is very true for my family.  It is also a great time for my family to truly "see with their heart, eyes and soul" that the Kingdom of God is ever present in all we do, even the smallest detail and most mundane.  This is true in all we do, not just the VBS events, also the daily events of life.  Take time today to spend a minute in prayer thanking God for all the "issues, crisis, mundane and extraordinary", it is through all these events that God is present, we need only take time to thank Him for it all! 

One of the strong, compelling themes of The Book of Revelation is a Christian call to be actively engaged in God's justice and mercy in this world.    Some camps, unfortunately in my opinion, interpret this Book as doom and gloom and that the  whole world is "going to hell in a handbasket" so we will bunker down and have nothing to do with the culture in which we live.

Beginning Sunday, July 5th, and for three continuous Sundays, we will be considering the Book of Revelation in our worship services.   How difficult and confusing apocalyptical literature can be!    Yet, if we do our history lessons, and try as best we can to understand the times in which this literature was written, we can come a long way in gaining insight and renewed inspiration from this incredible Book.

A vision statement serves as a roadmap.   It guides us so that we may reach our appointed destination.     Oak Ridge UMC's Vision Statement includes five (5) specific components.   Five specific areas in which we believe God has called us and gifted/resourced us in the making followers of Jesus Christ.    The very first of these five vision components is: INSPIRING WORSHIP. 

One of the conferences we United Methodists observe each and every year is called Annual Conference.    In the Western North Carolina Conference we are probably a bit spoiled since our Annual Conference is held at beautiful and scenic Lake Junaluska Assembly, near Waynesville, NC.