Hello there, it’s nice to meet you!
I (Phil) was born to a devoted Christian couple, the oldest of three PKs (pastor’s kids), and grew up in Nebraska and Colorado.
- I trusted Christ at the age of four.
- At thirteen I decided to quit wasting God’s time (which I had been) and start living for Him no-holds-barred.
- At nineteen I sensed his call on my life for ministry, primarily in music and worship aspects of ministry.
- Two weeks after graduation from college Brenda and I married and God led us to western Nebraska and our first associate pastorate, where I was ordained. I became a dad at twenty-five and our youngest was born when I was twenty-nine. What an adventure parenting and pastoring has been, serving in Michigan, Nebraska, Arizona, Illinois and Wisconsin.
- After a few years in ministry I began to say “We shouldn’t have to ‘export’ these creatives to another ministry department to disciple them, let’s do that right within the worship venue where they are most-understood and appreciated!” My Master’s project at Moody Graduate School was about disciple making in the Worship venue and I’ve had measurable success teaching churches how to grow and develop mature believers in the church worship and arts department. If you’re curious as to how that might look at your church, drop me a note and we’ll explore it some more. Disciple-making in the worship venue is intensely rewarding and I love to talk about it.
- So far God has allowed me to serve seven congregations blessed with creative and talented members. In four of them I’ve been one of the pastoral staff. I have no idea how many congregations I’ve encouraged and influenced along the way; God may be keeping track —I’m not— but I’m always honored when He uses me to help pastors, worship pastors, and their churches.
- I’m in my fifties now and I wouldn’t trade where I am in my walk with God for anything in the world! (so don’t EVEN ask) This ministry blog has already reached more people than I dared to imagine when I first began. I look forward to ministering in person with some who’ve been reading here a while, consulting with local worship ministries for the glory of God. Vibrance in worship ministry is a wonderful thing!
- My work with Church Multimedia provides opportunities to help churches effectively utilize technology in ministry. If you’re in the upper midwest part of the US, you’re in my “neighborhood”! Stop by the website to learn more, or drop me a note using the form below and I’ll reply.
- An insatiable reader, I love working with words, especially when it’s too cold to work in the yard. Mowing and flower-gardening are some of my best think-times.
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Nothing excites me more than when God uses me to encourage the body of Christ through things I’ve learned through my years of church ministry. I take Paul’s words to Timothy seriously in 2 Timothy 2.2.
You have heard me teach many things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Teach these great truths to trustworthy people who are able to pass them on to others.
If you’re around me much at all, you’ll soon hear me say similarly:
“Everything I know I learned from someone. I’ve a responsibility to add to it before I pass it along to you, and I expect you to do the same.”
It’s how I live and it thrills me to see this light go on in the minds of those I teach and influence.
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Brenda directs the Preschool at West Suburban Christian Academy and teaches/speaks to women in clear and practical ways. She said “I do” (I did too) in 1978 and we’re enjoying what God is doing through us as a couple. She’s an excellent women’s teacher and leader, able to bring the things she discovers in the Word into practical teaching. Those who sit under her teaching and leadership all say “we learn so much from her!” Brenda and I make our home in a little unincorporated town in Southeast Wisconsin and are the thankful parents of two grown children who know and love the Lord. She loves watching Mayberry re-runs so our conversations are sprinkled with lines we borrow from Barney Fife, Opie, Gomer and the cast.
Bethany and Karl were married in November ‘07 and are enjoying life together. She manages a cosmetic laser center not far away. I don’t think Bethany’s ever “met a stranger”; she meets people that well. Her energetic, light-hearted love of the Lord, her winsome smile and contagious laugh turn strangers into acquaintances in minutes. She has a heart as big as all outdoors. So does Karl - what a great couple! Bethany has a special place deep inside for pastors kids. She would love for God to work through her to encourage others who wear the PK badge. Hers was quite the journey through childhood and adolescence as a pastor’s kid. With young-adult insight, wit and candor, she’s helping PKs thrive as pastors’ kids. You can read her thoughts and endeavors on her WordPress blog, DramaqweenPK.
Jared is a senior at Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, Michigan, majoring in music. It seems God is leading him into worship ministry and Jared’s cooperating. That’s always a good thing; God usually wins. 
His girlfriend, Meagan, has that special place in his heart all wrapped up and they enjoy college life and ministry together at Cornerstone. Summer 2007 was taken with doing his internship for school at our home church, growing and developing in worship and multi-staff ministry. His final Sunday at Spring Creek he led worship for the morning services, we set out for Grand Rapids, and hours later he was meeting and working with Evensong, the on-campus band he’s co-leading this year. You can read his thoughts and perspectives on his WordPress blog, With One Voice.
So there you have it, a one-page overview of half a century of life and ministry, wife and kids. Hopefully it will provide some background for you on your host here on Vibrance. Please feel free to help yourself to the content you find here. If you’d like to know more about something you see here, be sure to ask, OK? I look forward to an encouraging exchange.
Send me new contact information soI can reconnect my life with you and the family!
