tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37016125894689182312012-01-19T15:50:05.802-05:00Reflections of a Bi-vocational ministerFr. Bob Lemmonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09226973174717364192noreply@blogger.comBlogger291100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3701612589468918231.post-637021935792520462012-01-16T12:31:00.000-05:002012-01-16T12:38:57.354-05:00

I have to admit that when Pope Benedict announced the establishment of Anglican Ordinariates I was excited. After all, the Anglican Communion has her issues. However, as time went on and more information was released about how these ordinariates would be ordered, my hope faded. You see, I was under the naive impression that this action as aiming at restored communion between Anglicans and Romans

Fr. Bob Lemmonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09226973174717364192noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3701612589468918231.post-88046601515752263732011-09-10T12:29:00.000-04:002011-09-10T12:29:43.496-04:00

Sometimes well meaning people speak of the Liturgical or Sacramental worship as though it were an option or a preference, "for people who like that kind of stuff." As long as you are worshiping Jesus, preaching the Gospel, its OK. Even within the Anglican tradition, there are those who would shelve the vestments, and liturgy for the sake of a more "seeker sensitive" environment. If reaching the

Fr. Bob Lemmonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09226973174717364192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3701612589468918231.post-24160268095801893372011-03-29T19:07:00.002-04:002011-03-29T20:15:00.998-04:00

Chickens??? Tractors? The truth is I haven't been making much sawdust lately. In fact, business has been slow for the last year and a half. Oh, I'm still in the cabinet business, but until the economy turns the corner, I've had to diversify. It's called making do. In reality it is what bi-vocational ministry is all about. Sure, I enjoy cabinetmaking, and it has provided well for us over the

Fr. Bob Lemmonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09226973174717364192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3701612589468918231.post-3050161307923254742011-01-12T18:07:00.004-05:002011-01-12T19:48:30.609-05:00

It doesn't hardly seem possible that nine years have passed since I was ordained to the priesthood of God's church, but as they say, "Time flies when you are having fun." Well its not all been fun, but most of it has been. And the parts that have not been fun have been worth it. Our children have always brought us more Joy than sorrow. Serving God has always had a cross at the middle of it,

Fr. Bob Lemmonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09226973174717364192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3701612589468918231.post-9487098695549744732010-04-16T18:58:00.004-04:002010-04-16T19:31:35.451-04:00

It's been almost six weeks since Ezra made his grand appearance. I had the privilege and blessing of baptizing him into the Body of Christ, at our Easter Vigil. I was reminded that it was almost 18 years ago, when the first of our children made her entrance. Nothing much has changed. It never gets old. Each child an incredible blessing, each bringing unspeakable joy, and a sense of awe. To think

Fr. Bob Lemmonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09226973174717364192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3701612589468918231.post-45341074271111629092010-02-20T06:20:00.003-05:002010-02-20T09:11:17.295-05:00

It's not a little ironic that those inventions which initially intend to bring people closer ultimately separate us further. Do you remember the old telephone commercial? "Reach out touch some one," they used to say, and then pick up the phone. Who would have thought in those days of rotary phones and party lines,(do you remember those?) that nearly everyone including young people would be

Fr. Bob Lemmonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09226973174717364192noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3701612589468918231.post-17863858407260707772010-01-07T06:48:00.005-05:002010-01-09T09:39:06.208-05:00

My inactivity for the last three months might lead one to suspect one of any number of explanations: My computer died I contracted swine flue I had major surgery involving my hands I have been on an extended vacation, Our electricity/internet has been shut off I've been really busy with other pursuits I spend too much time facebooking I just don't have anything to sayThe

Fr. Bob Lemmonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09226973174717364192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3701612589468918231.post-87780379411891988142009-10-06T06:34:00.004-04:002009-10-06T08:51:27.863-04:00

Recently I read an article concerning new Anglican vocations. The point was made that the new Anglican world, (ACNA) would present a need for priests willing to be bi-vocational. This is a new reality that many former Episcopalians are facing. I am thankful, and really not surprised that many young men are willing to go to such extraordinary measures for the sake of the Gospel. There is a

Fr. Bob Lemmonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09226973174717364192noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3701612589468918231.post-38020435281301461092009-07-11T06:34:00.005-04:002009-07-11T08:33:10.997-04:00

Everybody likes the story. Little David against all odds, defeats a giant of a man, Goliath. We love it when the underdog comes out on top. Its a popular theme, in movies, sports, and yes, even politics. Perhaps the reason it is so popular is that so many of us view ourselves as "underdogs," or little guys, and it gives us hope that one day we will come out on top. Now hope is a good thing.

Fr. Bob Lemmonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09226973174717364192noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3701612589468918231.post-41499206988393418532009-06-12T20:13:00.002-04:002009-06-12T21:32:24.020-04:00

This was a new one to me. A recent article on Fox News, cited the poor economy, and rocky employment environment, for a recent increase in enrollment in religious education. Pause. When I read this article I wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry. It could be that we are experiencing a revival of sorts. The more cynical side of me sees this as a bad omen, a sign that the gospel and

Fr. Bob Lemmonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09226973174717364192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3701612589468918231.post-75400800167572126952009-04-22T19:53:00.003-04:002009-04-22T20:11:14.843-04:00

I cannot see a rainbow and not be reminded of the promise that God made to Noah, to never again destroy the world with a flood. Everyone likes the promises of God. They encourage us and inspire us with hope for the future-- a future that is not yet. They are given to us in the time in between, the time we are living in. We have promise of everlasting life, that one day God will wipe every

Fr. Bob Lemmonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09226973174717364192noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3701612589468918231.post-1126276854264808712009-02-17T18:42:00.002-05:002009-02-17T19:24:47.542-05:00

It seems to be the new buzz word among church growth guru's these days. It is usually the reason given to justify innovations in the liturgy, for using contemporary music or dispensing with "formalities". It's also the other side of the criticism levied against the traditionalist--irrelevant. But the word seems to be badly misused in either case. In popular usage, no matter what it might

Fr. Bob Lemmonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09226973174717364192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3701612589468918231.post-83002316673404712992009-01-27T17:22:00.002-05:002009-01-27T17:57:08.868-05:00

Now we come down to it. Discipline. You don't have to look far to find lack of discipline in children and adults for that matter. Often aspiring young parents suppose that if they just discipline their kids they will turn out better. But this is only half true. Certainly, if we don't correct wrong behaviors we are in for trouble, but this is really only half of the story. Most the time when

Fr. Bob Lemmonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09226973174717364192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3701612589468918231.post-79259269893731148522008-12-30T19:17:00.003-05:002008-12-30T20:12:31.506-05:00

I have never been in the military, but both my parents were, several of my cousins as well as some of my good friends have served. They all went through "Basic Training." The military is not like most other jobs, there is no entry level position, where you already know enough to fulfill your duties. At the top of the list of things men and women learn in Basic Training is to obey. We all

Fr. Bob Lemmonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09226973174717364192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3701612589468918231.post-79955762701437307402008-11-30T20:19:00.003-05:002008-11-30T21:17:56.936-05:00

This question ranks about number two of the three most frequently asked questions of parents who have more than three or four children. The first, of course is "Are they all yours?" and the third is "Are you having any more?" While all three questions are intriguing, its the second one that has my attention at the moment. It is symptomatic of a rather widespread malaise that has taken hold of

Fr. Bob Lemmonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09226973174717364192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3701612589468918231.post-82691758020803324742008-09-23T21:37:00.002-04:002008-09-23T23:11:24.165-04:00

As a boy growing up in an evangelical denomination, my favorite services were the missionary services. We had them periodically. You would know it was for real, because at the back of the church there would be a table set up with a fantastic display of ornaments and artifacts from the "mission" field. The missionary would be sporting some unusual clothing typical of the people group he was

Fr. Bob Lemmonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09226973174717364192noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3701612589468918231.post-10662828459627020842008-06-28T21:25:00.002-04:002008-06-28T22:55:42.022-04:00

This year marks my eighth year as pastor of Christ Community church, and all told my 16Th year of part-time/bi-vocational pastoral ministry, but I was a part time youth minister for a couple years, and a chaplain at a nursing home prior to that. When you add it all up it comes to nearly 20 years that I have served as a minister at a part time or volunteer level. This fact could be interpreted

Fr. Bob Lemmonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09226973174717364192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3701612589468918231.post-80500666884005148842008-04-15T21:07:00.004-04:002008-04-15T21:59:29.573-04:00

I enjoy working with wood. Over the years, I've done a broad range of carpentry, from framing to trim. Cabinet making is my area of expertise, and I have built literally hundreds of cabinets over the last 10 years. But there is nothing as enjoyable and rewarding for me than building church appointments. I guess it's natural, being a minister, in love with God and his church. It reminds

Fr. Bob Lemmonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09226973174717364192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3701612589468918231.post-87881136524923825012008-03-08T11:16:00.000-05:002008-03-08T17:04:33.822-05:00

Our world was hushed in a blanket freshly fallen snow when I awoke this morning. Sometime in the night the uneasy rhythm of freezing rain on our tin roof, was silenced by its more gentle companion. We awoke enveloped by a peaceful quiet--at least until the children began to stir. Snow means holiday to them, its like Christmas morning all over again, only this time in March. It means holiday to

Fr. Bob Lemmonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09226973174717364192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3701612589468918231.post-8843185912981563592008-02-14T22:13:00.000-05:002008-02-14T22:54:52.516-05:00

I was working in the shop the other day when I began to think about analogies, and how useful they are in providing insight into difficult concepts or principles. Jesus used them all the time in the form of parables. The beautiful thing about the parables, is that Jesus is so smart that he could create an analogy that taught articulately the principle he was gaming for. Preachers try to do the

Fr. Bob Lemmonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09226973174717364192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3701612589468918231.post-4338740435974910532008-02-09T14:10:00.000-05:002008-02-09T15:17:47.089-05:00

I was recently working on year end reports. It is not something that I typically look forward too. For a small business owner, closing the books for the year, and preparing tax forms can be a daunting task. As a parish priest there are also reports to be made. When I was a younger man, I was always a bit chagrined at the number crunching mentality that seemed to drive these reports. My

Fr. Bob Lemmonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09226973174717364192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3701612589468918231.post-52310101040145529182007-12-31T17:23:00.000-05:002007-12-31T18:12:21.014-05:00

God has been so good to us over the years. It is amazing to me how as humans we easily remember the negatives in our lives and forget the positives. I dare say it is part of our bent. Just watch the evening news. I wonder sometimes if we don't derive some perverse enjoyment from bad news. As this year comes to a close, I want to encourage you to look for the good. I am reminded of the

Fr. Bob Lemmonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09226973174717364192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3701612589468918231.post-78317176347065312952007-11-20T20:07:00.000-05:002007-11-20T20:46:46.935-05:00

When I think back over the years I have served the Lord as a "bi-vocational" minister, I would have to admit that the greatest challenge that I have faced, I am still facing: There is never enough time. Time is always at a premium. There is never enough time to do all that could be done or should be done. My life seems to always get boiled down to doing just what needs to be done. It can be

Fr. Bob Lemmonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09226973174717364192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3701612589468918231.post-35430975521569020452007-10-16T20:35:00.001-04:002007-10-16T21:20:18.984-04:00

Last week we got to enjoy one of the fringe benefits of being a business owner. Yes, you could call it a vacation. I avoid using the word because I actually planned this trip around some work that I had at Hilton Head Island. So while we were there enjoying the sights, I was also working several days building a custom range hood for an elite house there on the Island. Here is the proof, taken

Fr. Bob Lemmonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09226973174717364192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3701612589468918231.post-89289207038096479662007-10-01T08:56:00.001-04:002007-10-01T10:59:31.663-04:00

Its not always easy. Check that. It is never easy, it just varies on degree of how hard it is. We call it "bi-vocational ministry," which is in fact (at least in my case) a misnomer. I will explain later. This past two weeks has been challenging to say the least. My work load in the cabinet shop had been pretty steady, then someone throws in a "deadline" and things get crazy. Last week was

Fr. Bob Lemmonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09226973174717364192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3701612589468918231.post-77587362195573215412007-08-29T17:06:00.000-04:002007-08-29T18:02:21.911-04:00

Honestly, I do not know who said it first but it was a mission statement that has stayed with me for years now: To make Jesus famous while remaining anonymous. Perhaps it was John the Baptist who first said it when he said of Jesus, "He must increase, I must decrease." So much of our culture, even church culture, revolves around the great personalities like Billy Graham, or Rick Warren. Not

Fr. Bob Lemmonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09226973174717364192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3701612589468918231.post-80577805021404419212007-08-19T16:40:00.000-04:002007-08-19T17:45:15.932-04:00

I cannot begin to tell you how often we get asked that question. It began when our fourth was born, and has not stopped. Sometimes this question was followed up with, " are you done yet?" As time goes on we have come across some creative answers for these questions, but have never become comfortable with the deeper meaning underlying them. These questions reveal a prevailing attitude that

Fr. Bob Lemmonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09226973174717364192noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3701612589468918231.post-58727924519601782492007-07-28T16:56:00.000-04:002007-07-28T17:06:02.859-04:00

Most evangelical Christians have heard of John Wesley and his brother Charles. Even if you do not know much about them, you certainly are familiar with some of Charles' great hymns. At Christmas time we sing “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing,” or “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus”. Easter Sunday morning we sing, “Christ the Lord is Risen Today.” These and many others are scattered through out hymn

Fr. Bob Lemmonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09226973174717364192noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3701612589468918231.post-25993823988362782822007-07-25T22:18:00.001-04:002007-07-25T22:50:50.522-04:00

Bread and Sawdust is about life. In everyones life, there is much that we might consider sawdust- wasted material. Yet sawdust is the necessary by product of something of worth and value- creativity. I should know. I spend most of my days standing in it, creating it, (sometimes by the wheel barrow full) all in the process of building something of value that will enrich some ones life.I could

Fr. Bob Lemmonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09226973174717364192noreply@blogger.com0