Vibrance!

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 again at 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’ our musicians to another 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 teach it.

• So far God has allowed me to serve seven congregations blessed with creative and talented members. In four of them I’ve been on the pastoral team. While I’ve no idea how many congregations I’ve encouraged and influenced along the way, God may be keeping track, I’m not, I’m honored each time He uses me to encourage 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! This ministry blog has already reached more people than I dared to imagine when I first began. It’s always an honor when I can minister in person, by E-mail or phone with someone who has been reading here a while, consulting with local worship ministries for the glory of God. Vibrant local worship ministries are a lot of work but worth every ounce of prayerful effort! I’m eager to see what the next ministry chapter holds as I invest my skills and energies for God’s glory.

• 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 teaches and speaks to women in clear and practical ways. She said “I do” 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 are moving back to Gering, Nebraska this September, where we’ll be on staff again at the church we served when we were first married.   We’re 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, Sheriff Taylor and the cast.

Bethany and Karl were married in November ‘07 and are enjoying life together. I don’t think Bethany’s ever met a stranger. Her energetic, light-hearted love of the Lord, her winsome smile and contagious laugh help her skip that step, turning strangers into acquaintances almost immediately. She has a heart as big as all outdoors, as does her husband Karl – what a great couple! Bethany has a special place deep inside for pastors kids. She loves when God uses her to encourage others who wear the PK badge. Hers was quite the journey through childhood and adolescence as a pastor’s kid, so now 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 graduated in 2008 from Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, Michigan, majoring in music.  I had the honor of leading Jared and Meagan through their wedding vows in August of ‘08. How wonderful to have family and close friends together for their day!  Jared is on staff at Calvary Bible Church in Kalamazoo, MI in worship ministries. You can read Jared’s thoughts and perspectives on his WordPress blog, With One Voice.  Meagan was recently named Director of Orchestras for the Marshall, MI Public Schools.

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.