Transformed by Jesus to Make Disciples

Transformed by Jesus to Make Disciples

Farewell Messages

 Serving as Western Plains District Co-Executive Ministers for the past seven years has been a rare privilege for Elsie and me. We thought we had had fulfilling careers when we retired before. The assignment we are completing December 31, 2009 far exceeds our earlier sense of fulfillment. You Western Plains District folk have been so responsive and open to us and the Holy Spirit. We shall always cherish the opportunity we have had together.

 Given our ages and levels of energy it is time to move on to new endeavors that are less challenging and perhaps a little more focused to our current levels of interests and capacities. These are not yet clearly defined. We will take some time to rest and to discern these. They will include serving on the Lybrook Community Ministries Board and singing in the McPherson Church choir. It will also include reorganizing our home and lifestyle to fit whatever emerges for us.

 There needs to be a rather complete break between us and all district activities and contacts. This is important to facilitate the transfer of leadership to your new, very capable District Executive Minister, Sonja Griffith and Administrative Assistant, Kendra Flory. It has meant a great deal to have your confidence and support and to be your leaders. Giving up this important relationship is going to leave a big hole in our lives. It will probably be more difficult for us than for you. Nevertheless, for the sake of the future it is important that we give Sonja the opportunity to lead. We believe you will not be disappointed.

 The celebration of the transformation movement Saturday evening at Gathering V was an experience of great affirmation and love for Elsie and me and for our ministry among you. What a way to go! We wish each of you could have the opportunity to experience what you gave to us. The reception given us after the celebration was such an outpouring of love and appreciation. Perhaps you are aware that at the District Conference District Board meeting the Board voted to give us the 2001 Buick district car. For this and all your expressions to us we are grateful from the bottoms of our hearts.

The best is yet to come! I said this in my sermon at the Gathering. Even though we have had a great past together, a better, more faithful future lies ahead. You are ready for it. You have great, dedicated, gifted appointed and elected leaders. You have great, dedicated, gifted staff. Most of all I sense an openness to the signs of God’s presence among you. This will enable you to move forward in wonderful, faithful ways in the future.

We pray God’s blessing on each of us.                                                                                                                                Ken Holderread                                                        District Co-Executive/Minister

The Transformation Movement in Western Plains

For several years God has been doing a new thing in Western Plains that we now refer to as a Transformation Movement.  It is hard to put your finger on just what this is, but some aspects are listed below:

A fundamental question.  Congregations and individuals have been asking the question, “What is God calling us (me) to be and to do?” The movement is most centrally one of spiritual, prayerful discernment—of discovering what God is doing and finding ways to join in.

A covenant partnership.  Congregations have begun to partner with the Western Plains District to walk together on a journey of transformation.  So far 18 from Western Plains and two from neighboring districts have joined this walk.

These Gathering conferences.  In some mysterious way these conferences have become a powerful unifying force, enabling God’s spirit, lifting a new vision and building the commitment of our people.

Pastor and leader training.  An outgrowth of the movement has been an intentional effort to train our leaders to lead out in transformation.  Currently about 45 persons from three districts are enrolled in a variety of leadership development initiatives, all focusing in periodic training workshops held in Great Bend, Kansas.  Strong bonds of unity and spiritual sharing are being built.

Ministerial calling and training.  Since the beginning of last year 17 persons from Western Plains have been ordained or are in some stage of licensing and training for ministry, and more are in earlier phases of ministry discernment.  On the plains we rely heavily on calling and training our own leaders in partnership with the Brethren Academy and Bethany Seminary.  This is happening in a strong way, undergirding our congregations.

Many other ways, large and small, that God creates.  We cannot anticipate nor limit God’s activity.  But God is blessing us.  Many of these ways are unexpected.  We are challenged to identify this activity and join with it.