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 I have completed my sixth year as Ministry and Mission Coach for the Western Slope and the Southeast Clusters. As I work with these churches and pastors, I see my role to encourage pastors, provide resources to pastors and churches, connect local churches and pastors with their broader family and ministry, and build community at all levels.
Many of our churches are doing incredible ministry. Other churches, frankly, are struggling. ABCRM is blessed to have many faithful pastors who preach God’s word, care for the broken, and sick. They continue to do their ministry with little or no recognition. As our nation continues to struggle in the current financial situation, churches are trying to maintain ministry with less money and increasing expenses. Many of these pastors are discouraged and frustrated. I believe that it is an essential part of my ministry and the ministry of ABCRM to stand beside our pastors, encouraging them.
Many of our churches are seeking God’s guidance as they look to the future. I have participated in three church retreats in which we seek to hear God’s quiet voice and to dream God sized dreams. In so many of the churches with whom I work, I sense a deep desire to be faithful to God, to be inspired by God, and to be the hands and feet of Christ in their community. The speed of change in our culture today seems to threaten to leave the church behind as a relic of the past, but these churches are determined to be relevant, connected, and ministering in their communities. FBC Fowler (Clint Walker) has completed their third Backyard Mission Project. This year, they participated in the local parade wearing their Backyard Mission Project T-shirts and inviting people in the community to join them as they seek to serve their community. FBC Colorado Springs (Mike Sayler) hosted their first Backyard Mission Project in August. They worked with three local agencies to identify people whom they could serve. FBC Delta (James Conley) is working to help a Karen refugee family relocate. FBC Grand Junction (Dave DeMott) continues to develop their relationship with a school across the street from the church. They have done work on the building as well as serving the staff of the school. Highland Park, Colorado Springs, (Bill Wolfe) has also developed an ongoing relationship with a local elementary school. Ecumenical Church (Bill Johnson) sent twelve people on the mission trip to Joplin Missouri. They have successfully launched a second worship service that seeks to connect with those in Pueblo West who do not have a church home. FBC Lamar (Dave Davis) has experienced growth and renewal. They also participated in the Joplin Mission Trip.
Several of the pastors with whom I work are celebrating important life events in the past year. Alvin Wilkerson (Flagler) resigned and is currently planting a church in Walsenburg (SBC). Keith Van Arsdol celebrated his 25th year as pastor of the Community Baptist Church in Moab, UT. Don Butto returned to Audubon Heights Baptist Church as pastor.
I am also beginning to work with three congregations with the BridgeBuilding process. This process has four objectives:
1. Identify and begin to address the key issues that have led to the status quo;
2. Develop a healthier process for dealing with change and conflict in the congregation;
3. Bring healing to past times of hurt and conflict;
4. Identify three “clear wins” for the congregation.
Through this process, congregations are challenged to look beyond quick fixes in order to affect deep change. They are also challenged to listen for God’s dream for the future of their congregation.
Pastors also draw support from one another. For many years, the Western Slope pastors have gathered to pray for and encourage one another. Five Front Range pastors have been meeting for almost two years in a Together In Ministry Group. I will continue to seek ways in which pastors can support one another in ministry.
Michael W. Oldham
Ministry and Mission Coach
Western Slope and SE Clusters
2010 Mike Oldham Ministry Report
2009 Mike Oldham Ministry Report
2008 Mike Oldham Ministry Report
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