I’m going to be a D.S. (that means I’m going to be District Superintendent … don’t confuse the letters). On June 23 I will become the D.S. of the Atlanta Emory District.
Many people have said “Congratulations” while others have said “Condolences” I bet you know it is the laity who said congratulations while it is the clergy who have said condolences, well one lay person said “You’ve turned to the dark side uh? There is a belief that when one becomes a D.S. they give up their Bible for the Book of Discipline, they you give up the pulpit for the desk and you be chief of the Pharisees. I know my friends and family are simply enjoying picking on me.
I am excited that God could use me in such a way and that our Bishop thinks I can be useful to our entire conference as a D.S. I’m also very much aware I need prayer, lots of prayer in order to be the D.S. and the man God has called me to be in this new ministry. If I need anything to make it … I need prayer.
I’m also very sad, I’m leaving a form of ministry I know very well and a church I love deeply. I have grown to fit into the life of McDonough First United Methodist and even to be allowed into the lives of most of the wonderful folk who make up the membership.
I anxious to do a good job for Christ and to be found faithful in my role as a supervisor and pastor to pastors. I am pumped to get to work with so many churches and hopefully in a bigger situation “to make disciples by celebrating and sharing the love of Jesus”.
I’m also to be honest a bit scared. Will the ministry I have invested in continue after I leave? Will the pastors accept my leadership and my supervision as well as my encouragement and love? I know that this fear of not of God but of God’s enemy so not only do I covet your prayers … I’m praying an awful lot myself. I pray God will give me wisdom and understanding. I pray God will give me a heart for others that is bigger and able than the one I have right now. I pray for the ability to be firm and loving in Christ.
A lot of emotions as you can see. I hope to keep you up to date with my thoughts but I’m not sure how much time I will have to blog … I might be the first D.S. to blog too! (Uh no comment on my blogging abilities now).
I’m preaching some final words to the good loving folks at McDonough First … if you get a chance come and hear them. And if you get a chance please say a prayer for me and for my brothers Herzen and Richard both in the same boat with me.
Grace and peace,
Dana
What do you say?
“Death can mean many different things to us. It can mean the loss of hope in what might have been when a child dies. It can mean the tragic loss of productive ability and responsible support to family, friends and business associates when and young adult dies. and when a middle-aged person dies, “before his or her time” it can mean the loss of the precious years of retirement that we work so hard for. When an aged person dies, after they have lived a full, long life, we call that a homecoming of sorts.” *
But, when tragedy strikes and a life of one we love is taken from our midst with no warning and no preparation we don’t know what to say or think. We fumble around wanting to be useful and wanting to be of help but we are in a fog and don’t know what to do or say. We are smart enough to know that it is wrong to say, “it is God’s will”. We have it in our hearts to say something loving and comforting to those who remain but what words can we say? We wonder around in the wilderness having a full heart and an empty head.
Sometimes there is nothing to say or to do. Sometimes it is enough to simply be present with those who survive and be there. Sometimes it is a powerful help to offer a hug and then to simply sit and be present. We think kitchen work or house work or errands are helpful and they are so much so but the ministry of presence can sometimes be the best thing we have to offer our Christian and non-Christian brothers and sisters, our silence and our tears.
We have had such a tragedy this week with the death of Wade Brannan. We are sad and broken hearted for Lynn and Wade’s parents T.S. and Gwen. We are wondering what to do, how to minister. The ministry of presence is called for to be with them over the next few weeks, months, and years. It is the ministry we need for each other as we struggle with the loss of a great child of God, our friend and brother.
Pray for God’s peace to flow, pray for God’s grace to be made known, pray for people to understand the mercy of God and pray for God to keep Wade in His heart till we can meet again.
Grace and Peace,
Dana
*Opening paragraph from Jeffery Allan Kisner
Ok you know I have this thing about giving up something for Lent. Instead I really encourage people to take on something, something that will enhance their spiritual life and cause a deeper walk with God.
Ok I did give up something for Lent this year, I gave up drinking my favorite drink. I gave up Coke for Lent. It is hard when others drink it around me and when I have to eat a burger or pizza and drink tea instead. Something is missing. I try to understand that my simple silly sacrifice is important for my health (I really drink a lot of Cokes) and for my spiritual growth. I ask myself to multiply this sacrifice by 1,000,000 and I might understand the feeling Christ had as he sacrificed for me.
But to be faithful to who I am I did take on something as well. I took on praying. Yes I know I’m a preacher I pray all the time. It does seem it is a hazzard of the job always being asked to pray like I have a degree or something in prayer but I mean more than that. I have taken on a season of prayer meaning that whenever I have a free moment I pray. I pray in the car going to the places I need to go to. I pray in the middle of the night when I wake up. I pray when I finish a task at my desk or when I start to work on the computer. I pray for everyone and anyone, for all things that cross my mind and heart. It is pretty awesome as God is listening but also speaking.
I want to ask you to join me if you haven’t found something yet to give up or take on. I promise you it will cause you to think and reflect. I also challenge you attend church every Sunday for in worship you will be drawn to a clearer understanding of the grace and mercy of Jesus.
I hope to see you this Sunday.
Never give up, Never back down, Never lose faith.
Love you all
Malcolm Lang Paterson, III
O Captain! my Captain! our fearful trip is done! The ship has weathered every wrack, the prize we sought is won, The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting. – Walt Whitman
Today the Reverend Malcolm Paterson has heard the bells chiming and the people shouting as he entered into the joy of the Church Triumphant. “Mac” served as a pastor in the United Methodist Church for 46 years retiring in 2001 from the active service but still caring for the souls of others. He especially cared for the souls of his fellow preachers, brothers and sisters, still engaged in the call for Christ. I was one of those blessed preachers to have his counsel and his support. Mac could always be counted on to have a “few” words to share every Sunday before and after the sermon! His words were at times refreshing and at other times humorous so as not to take myself so seriously but always vital and alive.
Mac served Marvin, Athens First, Dawnville, Royston, Jackson, Lithonia, Riverdale and Morrow United Methodist Churches in his many years. In each place he left his mark and he left his heart for the people of God to know that God loved them all equally and with an unending and unconditional love.
I feel sad that our ranks as United Methodist Clergy is one less today. We have lost a good brother who gave his all and never recieved a great amount of praise for his labors, but today amid the bells and shouts he hears the words of his Master, “Well done thy good and faithful servant … enter into the joy of your Master.”
We have been experiencing one of the coldest winters in many years. We had a whole week of snow/sleet/ice and frozen roads and the students missed (well truth is enjoyed) a week out of school. We huddled inside with our bread and milk and waited it out. It is so funny to me how Atlanta and the metro areas just can’t handle the white and the ice like our friends above the Mason Dixon. I guess we still have things to learn.
Yes, it has been cold outside and the more I am there the more I stay bundled up in my long coat. It is and old coat and it is not so stylish … some even say it looks like a Maifia coat! I don’t care it keeps me warm and I feel very secure in it. At times I will add the scalf that matches the coat to keep my face warm from the blistering cold.
Sometimes our lives are like this long cold winter. Cold and shivering to the bone because of the hardships of life; death, taxes, school, job, broken marriages, broken promises, sickness, job loss and even our faith which seems so frozen and hard. The good news is we can come inside and get warmed up and feel the heat surge through our hearts again. We can come to a church and the family inside and find the warmth of God as expressed in the love of those inside. Church isn’t just for the ones who are all warm and toasty but for those frozen and cold and bitter with life. Church is Christ’s answer to a long hard winter of life. No I will not say it is perfectly warm inside all the time and yes there are even cold pockets in there but God is bigger and warmer and never failing to warm your heart up for the first time or again. God is faithful
I invite you to come in from the cold of life and allow the people of God to show you the warm love of Jesus Christ this Sunday. Hey you can come here where I’m at and I promise you guarantee you a warm loving time.
I am here for you and welcome your thoughts in return
Dana
Ok, ok, ok! I know I stink at this blogging thing, but hey I’m an old man (so my children tell me all the time and my hair stylist confirms due to all the grey). This new year a resolution for you … I will blog once a month AT LEAST! There are you happy — all 2 of you who follow my blog 
I love new years because they are fresh starts and new beginnings. It is a perfect time to begin again or to start living the way I should or take to better health and exercize seriously. It is a time to look to God more for direction and remember in the scheme of things who is boss (uh God is by the way). I love the new year because it is a fresh start.
I am foolish though, because each day is a new day – a fresh start “new every morning are your mercies O Lord!” If that is true then each day when my eyes open and the brain recognizes that breathe is flowing in and out and my feet touch the floor, I have a new beginning. God has created life for me again and for you. What lies ahead is all new and fresh and exciting.
We don’t have to wait till the next year to get that old feeling of starting over; we can have it each day. I hope you will consider the blessing God gives you with each new day… well let’s start slow – with tomorrow as you open your eyes and heart. I pray that you will consider the truth God loves you enough to give you another chance at this thing called life.
So tomorrow let’s do it!!!
Well I forgot to post a new thought regarding thanksgiving but I don’t want you to think I’m not thankful for the man blessings of life. I hope you will bare with me and allow me share my grateful heart.
I’m grateful to God for
… His gift of salvation
… His mercy and grace
… His understanding and acceptance
… for the gift of my beautiful wife who has loved me for 24 years regardless of all the “stuff” she has to deal with.
… for my three NOT perfect children who give me pleasure at seeing them grow into young men and a beautiful young lady.
… for a church that is the greatest of all the churches and is willing to serve Christ today and tomorrow!
… for a staff who understands the power of God’s call
… for friends who are closer than brothers/sisters/
… for a best friend who never let’s me down
… for God’s call that I don’t deserve
… for brothers and sisters in the ministry who walk the walk with me
… for a great day with family over the table and so much good food
… for not having to go out shopping at 4 AM on Black Friday!
… for a comfortable home and all the needs of this life
… for good health (even if I’m aging and greying)
… funny TV and for adventurous TV
… for a good book that allows my mind to wonder and imagine
… for music to sing to and fill my day
… for all of nature and God’s creation that Go trust me to care for.
So much that some times I need to simply say … STOP but really I’m so blessed and I bask in God’s goodness. I hope you will continue to stop and count the blessings.
God is so good my friends — all the time.
November the 2nd is a great day in the life of the United States of America. We get to go to the polls and vote on that day. I hope and I pray that you will make it a priority to go and to vote for the officials who will serve us in the next few years. I seriously believe we can make a difference by our one vote.
I don’t know who to vote for really, I’m trying to understand the issues and the concerns. I have concerns for our Educational System in Georgia. I have concerns over my brothers and sisters looking for employment. I have concerns regarding the value of my home and any future sale. I have concerns over the honesty and integrity of each person running for office; I’d like to know that they are believers in Christ and care for people as servant leaders, just like Jesus. I don’t look at party at all I look at the man or the woman and how well they conduct themselves.
This voting isn’t easy but it is my responsibility and it is your responsibility. Please take the time to get out and vote on the 2nd. Please pray before you go. Please know how blessed we are to be citizens of a good land that allows us this right.
I hope you will also vote with your presence each Sunday by being in worship. There is nothing more important for our nation right now than for her people to gather to worship the One who is true freedom and true service. I don’t care what denomination I just want you in church, hearing the Word of God and knowing what true freedom and service is really all about.
I vote for Jesus !
Grace and peace,
Dana
During my vacation God answered a prayer I have been praying off and on for years. I had pretty much given up hope that God thought it was as important as I did, in fact I was resigned to the answer to my prayer being no or at least found in other areas of my life. Then, completely out of the blue God said, “Of course I will answer your request and here is the answer!” I was blessed beyond imagination.
We must never give up on God. God has the most accurate sense of timing and God has the best understanding of when it is best to answer our prayers. I look back and feel bad for giving up, thinking that God wasn’t concerned.
When you least expect it and when God knows that it is best is when the blessings flow. But, we need to remember blessings are all around and they come to us every day. Most are not as big as this blessing of mine but are small and by most ignored.
Blessings of air, of water, of food, of good health, of an education, of peace, and of love are all ours. The blessing of salvation and mercy and grace abound and they come freely from God’s hand and heart. Small and large all our blessings come from God and to God we offer them back.
I hope you will look around you today and see how many blessings you can count. I encourage you to open you heart to each of them and see why God is blessing you. I think it might be because God loves you so much and God wants your life to be fulfilled and complete.
And when you least expect it … watch out the big one will come. Give thanks to God for all God’s blessings and count them all big and small
You are a blessing to me and I’m thankful to God for you in my life.
Love you
Dana
I have found that blogging is not as easy as I though t it would be. Forgive me for not keeping up with this ministry as I ought (uh you 2 or 3 who follow me). I have found that I can do some good things here, like sharing my faith, my struggles, my needs of heart and soul. And by giving insight from some of my life experiences, I might be of help to fellow strugglers on the way.
Blogging is so new and I’m so old (cultrue wise – stop laughing) But I do want to keep trying to reach out to all any where who have a desire to know more about God and God’s love for humanity. I will willingly put myself out there for the Gospel and for you. I think that is the message of the Gospel to love each other to Jesus Christ.
There is a benefit for me … I get to feel the love of others strugglers on the way. I was told by one of my dear friends I can see the need you have for love in your blogs and it is so cool to see honesty from one who is suppose to have it all together. I promise you honesty for sure.
I have finished the Seven Deadly Sin series … you can see this on line at www.mcdfirst.org I covet your comments. After a two week vactiaon and the blessing of relaxation, new friends made, family time I am ready to get on to the next series RETHINK CHURCH. I will try to keep you up with it here but it is best to come to the worship celebrations t McDonough First.
Thanks for understanding my ramblings today and here we go to Year 5 at McDonough and Year 2 on line with you my brothers and sisters
Love you so much
Dana
