ITLOTC
(In The Life Of The Church)
Epiphany
Black History Month
Every year on Christ the King Sunday I talk about the purpose and function of the church calendar. In that talk I name that our world and our time revolves around the story of Jesus. And yet we concede the part of that revolution around Jesus includes paying attention to our cultural calendars. February is Black History Month. That has never meant anything for our liturgy at UBC. In fact we, along with many baptists, have celebrated women in ministry in February.
Last year when our staff met for our annual planning meeting we decided to change that. We decided that we want to be intentional about celebrating our African American brothers and sisters who both worship with us on Sunday mornings and in the church at large around the world.
The first problem we identified in attempting this is that our entire staff is white. White people writing liturgy for Black History Month is a problem. So we reached out to some of our African American brothers and sisters that worship in our community to ask for help. In that meeting my friend Kerri named a tension that she suspected we were feeling. She said, "doing this kind of a thing is fraught." I nodded my head in agreement and then she followed it up with a quintessential UBC response to that which is fraught, "so why not just name that." Ah, that was so refreshing to hear. She advised that we also acknowledge that we will likely make mistakes. That seemed like wisdom to me as well.
So this is me doing that. Acknowledging that this is fraught and we will probably make mistakes, but that it's worth doing because it's important. In Revelation 7 Jesus gathers the eschatological victory choir to sing. Verse nine tells us it is composed of those from every tongue, tribe, and nation. So we are going to move towards that future reality in the present. Over the next four weeks listen for that celebration. The ways in which we are trying to learn from our brothers and sisters. And on the last Sunday, February 26th, i'm excited to announce that we will welcome my friend and colleague, the Rev. Dr. Delvin Atchison to preach for us.
Leadership Team Notes
This last Sunday, January 29th, the leadership team met for their quarterly meeting. Here are some of the talking points that came out of that meeting.
- Byron Griffin was selected to replace Joy Winemann as the newest member of the leadership team
- the first student positions for the leadership team have also been selected. those individuals are Samuel Moore and Leah Reed.
- in conducting this first call for candidates student candidates it became clear that vetting those individuals will be difficult for existing leadership team because they likely won't know them. consequently leadership voted to make those positions appointed by staff staff
- Rob Engblom from the HR team debriefed leadership on the committees recommendation for the children's pastor position
- the leadership team then voted to make Taylor Post our first full time children's pastor
- i, josh, raised the lingering issue of space concerns. leadership decided that the march town hall will be given in part to discussing that issue with the community
- town halls will now be held two weeks before leadership team meetings instead of a months before
- the question of how maintenance and cleaning was done at UBC was raised. It was decided that a better system needs to be put in place to deal with those issues
The Process That Led To Taylor Post
Friends,
I’d like to use this post to announce that our new - and first - full-time Children’s Pastor is Taylor Post. We are very excited to welcome her to UBC community in this role.
In September 2016, after a season of discernment, Emily Nance decided to step down as our part-time Children’s Pastor. I’d like to take this opportunity to reiterate my and our collective gratitude for Emily and her work. During her four years with us, the children’s ministry grew leaps and bounds.
After Emily announced her resignation, I approached the Leadership Team about using this transition to move the position from 20 hours a week to 30 hours a week. In discerning with Emily, the HR team had already noted that the needs of the program had grown beyond what could be done in 20 hours and consequently investigated adding another part-time position to help Emily. In that email exchange with the Leadership Team about the children’s pastor position, a few Leadership Team members noted that the position might, in fact, need to be made full-time. This exchange evolved into a larger discussion with HR to identify if, in fact, the job now required 40 hours of work, and with the Finance Team to discern if the additional cost was something our budget could absorb.
After the discussions with both committees, the Leadership Team decided to offer the position as a full-time job. We then needed to assemble a search committee. Per the bylaws, the search was composed of a staff member, which was me (Josh), an HR rep Rob Engblom, who is also the children’s pastor HR rep, a Leadership Team member Jon Davis, and two folks selected by the Leadership Team from our community. The two selected individuals were Sheri Nelson and Kristin Crawford who both have children and serve in the children’s ministry.
We posted the job in October with an initial application deadline of November 27. We had a few applications, but not enough to feel good about the pool. We then extended the deadline to December 11. After that closing date, the committee met the following week to review the applications. Out of that meeting, we selected three candidates to interview. I contacted those candidates, but because we were so close to the holiday season, we suspended the search until the beginning of the January.
On January 11, we conducted interviews, all of which we felt went exceptionally well. The initial interviews with the committee focused on logistical management, administrative ability, and vision for the position. Out of the three interviews, two candidates were given follow-up interviews with the full-time staff to discern two things: ecclesiological fit and theological congruence. It was in that second set of interviews that Taylor emerged as our clear top choice.
After the full-time staff had discerned Taylor as their unanimous top choice, we sent our recommendation back to the committee. A few discussions ensued between staff and HR to vet concerns about the challenges and opportunities presented by the children’s pastor position. After that discussion, we reached consensus and a formal nomination was made by the HR/search committee to the Leadership Team to vote on last Sunday night at our quarterly meeting.
After some discussion, the Leadership Team voted unanimously (6-0) to accept the recommendation that Taylor be hired for the position. We are very excited about having Taylor on board and hope that you feel this hiring process reflects integrity and wisdom. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact any HR, Leadership, or committee member. We’d be glad to have your feedback.
Lastly, I’d like to publicly thank Jess Engblom for serving as our Interim Children’s Pastor. Interim work is both extremely difficult and extremely important. Jess used her few short months with us to take this massive foundation that Emily built and add something great. We are fortunate to have so many talented people in our community that care so deeply about these ministries.
Security Improvement Team
With the help of the HR team and blessing of the leadership team, UBC is creating a committee to investigate ways of improving building and employee safety. This includes everything from door security to writing policy for "how to ..." While not necessarily glamorous work, we think it is important work and part of our worship. And we know that some of you have unique gifts in this area and might want to help. If this is something you are interested in email josh@ubcwaco.org.
Love, Love Feast
On Sunday February 12, we will gather at UBC to enjoy the foods we love the most at UBC's Love, Love Feast. If you've never been to a UBC Love Feast, they are gatherings in which we partake in a potluck meal. This extravaganza will start @ 6:00 PM CST. Should have you questions you can email brother Toph Whisnant @ toph@ubcwaco.org.
Enneagram Workshop
One of our ministry partners, Baylor Spiritual Life, is hosting and enneagram workshop. Interested persons should email kristen_richardson@baylor.edu for more information.
Work is Worship
Greeters: Walters
Coffee Makers: Emmy & Stephen
Mug Cleaners: Dilan
Money Counter: Josh M.
Announcements
- Sunday Sermon: Matthew 5:13-20, "Meeting Jesus Again: Rule Follower & "
- February 18--The Middle Ages -- TBA
- March 1st - Ash Wednesday
- March 18-- The Middle Ages -- TBA
- April 2-- UBC Families @ Soccer Fields -- More Info to Come
- April 7th and 8th - Spring Retreat (Freshman/Sophomores)
- April 13th - Maundy Thursday
- April 14th - Good Friday
- April 16th - Easter
- April 22--The Middle Ages Baylor Theatre production of the comedy NOISES OFF—
- April 30th - Mr. Rogers Sund
- April 30th - Graduate Luncheon
- May 2nd - Study Hall
Do you have an emergency and need to talk to a pastor?
254 413 2611
Leadership Team
If you have a concern or an idea for UBC that you’d like to share with someone that is not on staff, feel free to contact one of our leadership team members.
Chair- Jon Davis: jdavis83@gmail.com
Joy Wineman: joy.wineman@gmail.com
Stan Denman: Stan_Denman@baylor.edu
Adam Winn: adamwinn68@yahoo.com
Bridget Heins: bheins@hot.rr.com
Sharyl Loeung: sharylwl@gmail.com
Emma Wood: emmaj.wood@yahoo.com
UBC Finance Team
Do you have a question about UBC’s financial affairs? Please feel free to contact any of your finance team members.
Josh McCormick: Josh.McCormick@dwyergroup.com
Hannah Kuhl: HannahKuhl@hotmail.com
Justin Pond: pondjw@gmail.com
Anna Tilson: Anna_Tilson@jrbt.com
Doug McNamee: douglas_mcnamee@baylor.edu
UBC HR Team
If you have concerns about staff and would like contact our human resources team, please feel free to email any of the following members.
Maxcey Blaylock: maxceykite@gmail.com
Mathew Crawford: mathewcrawford@yahoo.com
Rob Engblom: Rob_Engblom@baylor.edu
Ross Van Dyke: Ross_Vandyke@baylor.edu
Jared Gould: jared.gould1@gmail.com