Monday, April 28, 2008

Twenty Five Years and Counting

This June I will celebrate my 25th anniversery of ordination and the Upstate New York Synod has asked me and others who are celebrating significant milestones to briefly reflect on these years of ministry. I decided that I wanted to focus on two things, first; the value of youth ministry experience and second, the importance of relationships in ministry. Here is what I wrote.

Reflection on 25 Years of Ordained Ministry

Any reflection that I do on the past 25 years of ordained ministry must, I think, be done in the context of 40 years of youth ministry. It was in those early years ministering to youth as a volunteer and later as paid staff that I received the call to ordained ministry. It was in those experiences that I grew as a leader and began learning to communicate the Gospel in exciting and creative ways. The youth I worked with and ministered to taught me how important it is to be energetic, passionate, and creative as I shared my faith. It was during those early days that I felt called to develop “The King’s Clown” ministry as a creative way to share the message through mime. This ministry opened many doors for me including opportunities to lead worship in Germany and Ireland. It was this unique ministry that generated the financial resources I needed when attending undergraduate school and Seminary while raising four children. Youth that I have trained continue this ministry today, bringing joy and laughter along with the Gospel to many congregations. My passion for working with youth and young adults has continued to this day as I prepare for a 26th year at Senior High Camp.
The most important knowledge that I have acquired in 25 years of parish ministry is that I am but one part of the “Body of Christ”. Carrying out my responsibilities as an ordained pastor has been a collaborative affair. Whatever effectiveness I’ve had comes from the love, support, and encouragement of the family members, congregational leaders, parish staff, and colleagues who have shared in this ministry. In those relationships I experienced humility, forgiveness, and the wonderful joy of working together to proclaim God’s love to the wider community. My first call was to The Rensselaer County Lutheran Parish, an effort to bring four congregations and two pastors together in a collaborative ministry. We experienced both successes and challenges as we strived to do ministry together. Three years later I was called to Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Clifton Park where I served for 21 years. What a joy it has been to serve a community so rich with people willing to stretch and grow in their faith walk. Together we grew as a pastor and a congregation that could boldly state that we practiced
“LEADERSHIP that is inspired by the Holy Spirit and shared by our Pastors, staff and lay leaders as we strive to live as a Christian community with integrity.”
I am now “retired” from parish ministry and am continuing to explore how I fit into the “body of Christ” during this chapter of my life. My purpose continues to be “to creatively and joyfully communicate God’s love” in whatever circumstances I am experiencing. I am forever grateful to all those who have been a part of this journey with me.
His Servant;
Pastor Chuck Schwartz


The Synod also requested before and after photos. Here they are.


Friday, April 11, 2008

Sign of Spring

Here in UpState New York we yearn for signs of spring on this 11th day of April with a cold rain coming down and temperatures in the 30's. Observe this brave crocus bringing color and hope to all on this dreary and gray day.
"The earth sings a song of gladness.
The earth sings a song of praise.
The earth rises up and laughs at me
Each time that I forget
How spring begins with winter
And death begins with birth."
(from a poem by Nancy Wood)

Saturday, April 05, 2008

Don"t Give Up!

This is a very beautiful video with a great message based on Josh Groban's song, "Don't Give Up". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Swl4YKCOetc&feature=related#

And this very funny video on the Mega-Church Pastor. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yb9DF16Fx8k##

Tuesday, April 01, 2008

A New Season

Opening day of baseball.....a day filled with optomism for all fans no matter what team they root for. Everything is even and anything can be imagined. And if you win the first game....as my beloved Mets did.....then, O My! But there is the memory of the September collapse of last year and the year before when our dreams turned to ashes. William C. Rhoden in his commentary titled; Anxiety of being Mets Fan, suggests. "........the baseball fans of America are united by hope. Except in New York, where Mets fans bravely face a new season with optomism and dread." And "On a day usually reserved for declarations of joy and optomism, Mets fans watch and worry."In this season of new birth with the good news of Easter still ringing in my ears, with my tulips and crocuses poking up through the melting snow, and with the sighting of two robins today......I've made the decision to live in Hope. Hope that Santana will make the difference as he and Pedro Martinez become the greatest 1-2 punch in pitching. Hope that this last year at Shea will be one for the ages. Hope that I will even attend a game for the first time. GO METS!!!!!!