I began this blog to track my path through accepting my call from God through the ordination process in a specific denomination. If you have read through my postings you will see that this process has changed considerably since I began it. Little did I know, at that time, that my understanding of what God wanted me to do would change so drastically in such a short time. Had I followed man's process I would be finishing up my internship with a church somewhere and now be returning to seminary for one final year of education. Then I would get to play the 'waiting game' that so many that I know get to play. Waiting for their organization to find them a job. This, of course, is not the path I am on.
God called, I listened, and then let him show me the path. A path that has plopped me down in Greenville, SC where I have been blessed to be a pastor for the congregation of Emmanuel Lutheran Church of Easley for 2 1/2 years. Together we have grown and developed from the original group of about 28 people to a group of about 60. No, we don't worship 60 every Sunday but that's not the point. The point is that God called and I listened and they called and I listened.
From the beginning of this relationship the congregation wanted to make sure that I continued my education and that was part of the call. I did that through attendance at ILT (Institute of Lutheran Theology) where I have just recently completed my Pastoral Ministry Certification. This is a confirmation of the basics of ministry for those who lead congregations that can't afford a full time pastor, and especially one who has an amount of debt out of seminary. I will now continue my education through ILT working towards a masters degree. This, of course, will take me several more years.
All in all, since I have completed what Emmanuel feels is a milestone, they have voted as a congregation to extend my call as a continuous call and have also voted in a resolution to ordain their pastor. I am truly honored that they feel this way about the man who has led them almost from the beginning. I am truly blessed to have a group of people who are willing to think outside the box and created a congregation, called a pastor and together we are blessed to have recently purchased a place to call home (debt free may I add).
To all of them, I say thank you. To any of you who have read any of my words whether or not you liked what I had to say, I say thank you.
To all who are interested in such things;
I invite you to the ordination of Gregory Lee Longtin
August 25, 2012 @ 2:00 pm
Emmanuel Lutheran Church of Easely
101 East First Ave
Easley, SC 29640
About Me
- Greg Longtin
- Greenville, SC, United States
- A 51 year old guy who after almost 30 years of ignoring a call has decided to follow it. I'm married to Judy, my high school sweetheart, and can't imagine life without her. I have two wonderful children, Kate and Sammy who have brought great joy to my life. I am looking forward to the next step in my "faithwalk".
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
I have an office?!.
OK. So you may think that this is not that big of a deal and for the most part it isn't. After all I've pretty much had an office most of my adult career of some type or another. But since accepting the call to Emmanuel we have been a congregation with no home and therefore...no office. We moved into this space in December and I haven't really thought about it much until recently when I've started to come into the "office" at least once a week for "office" hours. Of course, I still have my office at home and I use that a lot for sermon prep and taking courses but that one is just down the hall from everything else and it is convenient. This new one is 1/2 hour away. So I seem more serious about this office than the one in my home. I'm not sure why that is because I get the same amount of work done at either place and yet, this new one seems more important and I don't know why. Those of you who know me know that I'm not about stuff or status so it's not that (if anything it's worse since it seems I have 6 miles of bookshelves and only 1/10 of a mile of books) and so I struggle with this new office. This office here is still pretty sterile too as it needs some wall hangings (and those dreaded empty book shelves are staring at me) and some other touches that the home office has and yet...this office still seems more important.
Maybe someone can shed some light on this thought process that this office seems more important than any other I've ever had. Here I am, blogging about an office in a building in the middle of Easley SC and somehow it seems important.
This is the day the Lord has made let us rejoice and be glad in it!
Greg
Maybe someone can shed some light on this thought process that this office seems more important than any other I've ever had. Here I am, blogging about an office in a building in the middle of Easley SC and somehow it seems important.
This is the day the Lord has made let us rejoice and be glad in it!
Greg
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
I was thinking...
...that it seems it has been almost 2 years since my last post. Much has changed since that post so here is a brief recap. Almost 1 1/2 years ago we moved from Columbia to Greenville to be closer to the congregation of Emmanuel that I serve in Easley (about 15 miles away). I started a part time job at Target about a year ago as a sales floor associate in the Hardlines department (most things that are not clothing) and enjoy the job for what it is. I continue to take courses to finish my PMC (Pastoral Ministry Certification) and look forward to taking additional coursework to keep up with my studies when that is completed in June. Judy has finally settled into a new job recently that is with an embroidery/print shop called Print Specialty Inc. So far she enjoys he work and heads off to start her day at 6:30 am. I think it's the first time in our 30+ years of marriage that she is up and moving (and sometimes out the door) before I am up and moving.
Kate is engaged to a nice young man named Frank Johnson and will be married June 1st. She will then move up to Hallock where he is Pastor of 2 Lutheran Churches. She will be an intern, as she finishes up her MDiv coursework, in the very NW corner of MN. She is excited for all of the changes that are taking place. Sammy became engaged to a nice young man named Jim Hudson. They are planning a wedding sometime next summer. Jim continues to work at UPS and Sammy has just changed jobs and is working for a cleaning company while keeping a Victoria's Secret job on the side.
Emmanuel Lutheran church of Easley (the church I serve) has recently bought a building so we are no longer a "homeless" congregation. It is a 5000sf building downtown Easley that needed little to no work to move in so we moved in immediately after closing (and a little scrubbing). We were blessed to be given a gift large enough to purchase the building. We also are blessed to have a reserve of cash in our bank account as well. Our membership continues to slowly grow and our baptized membership is about 60 or so. We are hoping to continue a slow growth trend as we bring the good news of Jesus Christ to those who need to hear it.
In closing, I promise that my next blog won't be 2 years in the waiting. I have much to bring to this forum and look forward to beginning it to anyone who stumbles across it.
Peace to y'all
Greg
Kate is engaged to a nice young man named Frank Johnson and will be married June 1st. She will then move up to Hallock where he is Pastor of 2 Lutheran Churches. She will be an intern, as she finishes up her MDiv coursework, in the very NW corner of MN. She is excited for all of the changes that are taking place. Sammy became engaged to a nice young man named Jim Hudson. They are planning a wedding sometime next summer. Jim continues to work at UPS and Sammy has just changed jobs and is working for a cleaning company while keeping a Victoria's Secret job on the side.
Emmanuel Lutheran church of Easley (the church I serve) has recently bought a building so we are no longer a "homeless" congregation. It is a 5000sf building downtown Easley that needed little to no work to move in so we moved in immediately after closing (and a little scrubbing). We were blessed to be given a gift large enough to purchase the building. We also are blessed to have a reserve of cash in our bank account as well. Our membership continues to slowly grow and our baptized membership is about 60 or so. We are hoping to continue a slow growth trend as we bring the good news of Jesus Christ to those who need to hear it.
In closing, I promise that my next blog won't be 2 years in the waiting. I have much to bring to this forum and look forward to beginning it to anyone who stumbles across it.
Peace to y'all
Greg
Thursday, July 15, 2010
What is success?
On Tuesday Sammy (my youngest daughter) started Cosmetology School in Louisville, KY. I am proud of the decision she made because she made it on her own with a lot of thought involved. Judy and I tried to bring our children up to make their own decisions by evaluating the positives and negatives of each one they make and I think that they try to do that as much as possible. I pray for success in her new adventure and I think she will definitely put her mind to the task at hand and do a great job.
This journey that she is on has made me reflect more on what the meaning of success is. I had many people ask me how I felt about this change in career paths (She was going to be an English Teacher) and often was asked if I was disappointed in her, some even indicating that I should be concerned about her success. It came to light that some people seemed to think that she can't be successful being a person who cuts hair and knows something about skin care. So it made me wonder, how were they putting a value on success? I do want my children to be successful, but it never occurred to me to that the career choice they made had anything to do with success. I think of success as being happy with who you are, being appreciative of what you have and (I believe) a strong belief in God. I am blessed to know many people in all kinds of roles and in varied economic situations. I see happy, sad and lost people in all of the faces of these individuals.
We (or at least most of us!) need our haircut. So why would this even be a bad career? Is it because we live in a society that has decided that a masters degree is needed to do just about everything? Where $200,000.00 in debt is OK before you even start a job? Or is there just a stigma associated with someone who cuts hair. I don't really know.
So Sammy, good luck in your new journey and in case anyone wants to know. I am proud of you and just want you to be happy. I think with happiness comes success.
Peace be to all of you!
Greg Longtin
This journey that she is on has made me reflect more on what the meaning of success is. I had many people ask me how I felt about this change in career paths (She was going to be an English Teacher) and often was asked if I was disappointed in her, some even indicating that I should be concerned about her success. It came to light that some people seemed to think that she can't be successful being a person who cuts hair and knows something about skin care. So it made me wonder, how were they putting a value on success? I do want my children to be successful, but it never occurred to me to that the career choice they made had anything to do with success. I think of success as being happy with who you are, being appreciative of what you have and (I believe) a strong belief in God. I am blessed to know many people in all kinds of roles and in varied economic situations. I see happy, sad and lost people in all of the faces of these individuals.
We (or at least most of us!) need our haircut. So why would this even be a bad career? Is it because we live in a society that has decided that a masters degree is needed to do just about everything? Where $200,000.00 in debt is OK before you even start a job? Or is there just a stigma associated with someone who cuts hair. I don't really know.
So Sammy, good luck in your new journey and in case anyone wants to know. I am proud of you and just want you to be happy. I think with happiness comes success.
Peace be to all of you!
Greg Longtin
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Update to my family at Hopeful
Greetings and Salutations to the members of Hopeful. It is hot here as I write this and I long for the "cool" summers of Norther Kentucky. I'm not sure how many of you are up to date on my path to follow the Lord so I thought I would take this opportunity to tell you a little about where this path has taken me.
As most of you know we packed our stuff up in a truck and moved to South Carolina (specifically Columbia) to attend Southern Seminary. During my Summer Greek course and the first part of the first semester of classes I struggled with the direction of my call. I felt that God was calling me into mission work so I began to think more in that direction and what my education meant for me in that realm. At the same time I joined a group of pastor's and laypeople who met monthly as a support for those who were at odds with the recent path the ELCA had / was taking and to discuss what was happening in the southeast area of the United States. Answers from my prayers and my discussions with many people I decided about mid way through my semester that I needed a different direction and began to really listen to what God wanted me to do. At that time there were introductions made, phone calls and meetings and trips to visit a small group of about 20 people from Easley, SC (about 120 miles away) who had been worshiping at an ELCA church that was unwilling to even discuss the options available to them as a congregation in regards to the Churchwide action last August. Judy and I met about 20 of them at their Christmas party in December and we enjoyed our time and looked forward to where this opportunity may be taking us. I was asked to preach at their official 2nd meeting of Emmanuel Lutheran of Easley, in January, and I immediately felt a calling to this group of people and missed my time with them when I wasn't there. After several months of leading worship for Emmanuel they offered me a three month contract call starting May 1st. Our group of just over 20 is now worshiping about 40 every Sunday and we continue to see some new faces from time to time. Last Sunday (June 27th) I was humbled and honored that the congregation voted to extend my call for another year (through July 2011) and I look forward to where this congregation is going. Our agreement allows me to continue my studies while offering them part time pastoral care which is a win/win solution for both myself and the congregation. It seems, when I was hearing mission I was thinking third world country but God was saying Mission congregation. This congregation is a true start up with no permanent home and lots of donated items. We currently worship at one of the members place of business called Partee Time. Who wouldn't want to worship at a place that has a 9 hole mini golf, blow up rides, batting cages and many other fun things to do!
Judy and I currently still live in Columbia and we take the trip up every Sunday (about 2 hours each way) and sometimes mid week. We are looking for work in the area so that we can make the move to the Easley area to be closer to this congregation I am called to.
I appreciate all of the prayers and good words that have come from Hopeful over the past year and Judy and I look forward to the time when we can visit with our Hopeful family.
In His name!
Pastor Greg
As most of you know we packed our stuff up in a truck and moved to South Carolina (specifically Columbia) to attend Southern Seminary. During my Summer Greek course and the first part of the first semester of classes I struggled with the direction of my call. I felt that God was calling me into mission work so I began to think more in that direction and what my education meant for me in that realm. At the same time I joined a group of pastor's and laypeople who met monthly as a support for those who were at odds with the recent path the ELCA had / was taking and to discuss what was happening in the southeast area of the United States. Answers from my prayers and my discussions with many people I decided about mid way through my semester that I needed a different direction and began to really listen to what God wanted me to do. At that time there were introductions made, phone calls and meetings and trips to visit a small group of about 20 people from Easley, SC (about 120 miles away) who had been worshiping at an ELCA church that was unwilling to even discuss the options available to them as a congregation in regards to the Churchwide action last August. Judy and I met about 20 of them at their Christmas party in December and we enjoyed our time and looked forward to where this opportunity may be taking us. I was asked to preach at their official 2nd meeting of Emmanuel Lutheran of Easley, in January, and I immediately felt a calling to this group of people and missed my time with them when I wasn't there. After several months of leading worship for Emmanuel they offered me a three month contract call starting May 1st. Our group of just over 20 is now worshiping about 40 every Sunday and we continue to see some new faces from time to time. Last Sunday (June 27th) I was humbled and honored that the congregation voted to extend my call for another year (through July 2011) and I look forward to where this congregation is going. Our agreement allows me to continue my studies while offering them part time pastoral care which is a win/win solution for both myself and the congregation. It seems, when I was hearing mission I was thinking third world country but God was saying Mission congregation. This congregation is a true start up with no permanent home and lots of donated items. We currently worship at one of the members place of business called Partee Time. Who wouldn't want to worship at a place that has a 9 hole mini golf, blow up rides, batting cages and many other fun things to do!
Judy and I currently still live in Columbia and we take the trip up every Sunday (about 2 hours each way) and sometimes mid week. We are looking for work in the area so that we can make the move to the Easley area to be closer to this congregation I am called to.
I appreciate all of the prayers and good words that have come from Hopeful over the past year and Judy and I look forward to the time when we can visit with our Hopeful family.
In His name!
Pastor Greg
Thursday, June 17, 2010
A letter to my LTSS friends (and enemies! lol)
A post to my friends at LTSS.
Greetings all to whom I have made freinds, aquaintences and enemies while I was at LTSS. I have been remiss about an explanation of my exodus from this seminary. First of all, I have made many friends at LTSS that I hope to keep in touch with as our paths go in different directions and we get scattered all over the world and I look forward to seeing and hearing about your journeys to do Gods work.
Some of you know that I have struggled with my call after packing what was left of my life into a truck and moving to Columbia, SC to begin this ELCA call process. I have always felt that this move was correct and God has plans for me to do something........but what I couldn't figure out. I had struggled with my class load as I am a hands on/visual learner and the teachers do not offer that type of education at LTSS. I was struggling with NOT being active in a church to do what God has called me to do, not what the class required me to do. I struggle with being apart from my wife after having worked side by side for the last 17 years or so. I struggled with an ELCA organization that had lost its way in so many different directions that I am working on a post to address those issues seperatly.
So I prayed and I listened, and prayed and listened and one day during that semester a door was opened and I stepped through it. The opportunity to serve in a congregation while taking online course work was a path that could work for me. Instructors that teach, knowing you are either a leader of a congregation or active in others ways, put things into context for you to use as you are learning them. This seemed to be a good path........but what about a congregation? Well an opportunity presented itself in a round about way to serve a congregation about 120 miles away in Easley SC. A small group of people who are on the move from an ELCA congregation that they were unhappy with. After a few meetings and a couple of times preaching I felt a real calling to this group of people and they also felt called to me which puts me to where I am now. I truly wonder and am awed by the path that God sets before me, you just never know where you will end up.
Judy and I are still in Columbia and will be until the next step presents itself. Either a move or a different call. The future is unclear. I continue to pray and listen.
I wanted to post this for you so that you know where I stand on my reasons for leaving LTSS. I have no idea what rumors may be (or if there are any) and don't really care. I only pray for the seminary and its students in this difficult time as many are struggling as I did but don't know which direction they should go.
In His name,
Greg
Greetings all to whom I have made freinds, aquaintences and enemies while I was at LTSS. I have been remiss about an explanation of my exodus from this seminary. First of all, I have made many friends at LTSS that I hope to keep in touch with as our paths go in different directions and we get scattered all over the world and I look forward to seeing and hearing about your journeys to do Gods work.
Some of you know that I have struggled with my call after packing what was left of my life into a truck and moving to Columbia, SC to begin this ELCA call process. I have always felt that this move was correct and God has plans for me to do something........but what I couldn't figure out. I had struggled with my class load as I am a hands on/visual learner and the teachers do not offer that type of education at LTSS. I was struggling with NOT being active in a church to do what God has called me to do, not what the class required me to do. I struggle with being apart from my wife after having worked side by side for the last 17 years or so. I struggled with an ELCA organization that had lost its way in so many different directions that I am working on a post to address those issues seperatly.
So I prayed and I listened, and prayed and listened and one day during that semester a door was opened and I stepped through it. The opportunity to serve in a congregation while taking online course work was a path that could work for me. Instructors that teach, knowing you are either a leader of a congregation or active in others ways, put things into context for you to use as you are learning them. This seemed to be a good path........but what about a congregation? Well an opportunity presented itself in a round about way to serve a congregation about 120 miles away in Easley SC. A small group of people who are on the move from an ELCA congregation that they were unhappy with. After a few meetings and a couple of times preaching I felt a real calling to this group of people and they also felt called to me which puts me to where I am now. I truly wonder and am awed by the path that God sets before me, you just never know where you will end up.
Judy and I are still in Columbia and will be until the next step presents itself. Either a move or a different call. The future is unclear. I continue to pray and listen.
I wanted to post this for you so that you know where I stand on my reasons for leaving LTSS. I have no idea what rumors may be (or if there are any) and don't really care. I only pray for the seminary and its students in this difficult time as many are struggling as I did but don't know which direction they should go.
In His name,
Greg
Wow. this blog thing is nuts. I've really tried to post something on a regular basis but, alas, I have failed. I'm looking at my last post and realized that so much has happened since then that I should probably catch you all up.
First of all. Judy and I moved; again. Across the street to a larger apartment so we will have room for an office and a sewing room. I'm not sure how long we will be in this apartment as things continue to change on a regular basis while waiting for God to show me the next doorway.
In May I accepted a 3 month contract call to small church called Emmanuel Lutheran. This is a small LCMC (Lutheran Congregations in Mission to Christ) is a group of people unhappy with the ELCA and the direction that it is taking in regards to its teaching principles. It started with a small group of about 20 and we are currently average around 40 every Sunday. We are currently looking at extending that call for another year. This is exciting as both the congregation and myself understand that we are all learning togther and doing our best to move forward with the good Lord Jesus Christ in our sights. We currently meet at a place called Partee Time which is an indoor play place. What better place to worship God? This possible extended call has Judy and I looking for work in that area so we'll be closer to our church family.
I'm continuing my education at ILT (Institute for Lutheran Theology) which I take all of my courses on line. It's real time and all the students taking the course are able to see each other and have discussions with the instructor. While it's not the same as being in the classroom I feel that it is better than just watching a lecture without the interaction. It's interesting to be able to be part of a program that is still developing and watch as they are still working out the kinks.
The girls came down for a visit a few weeks ago and we had a great time. Sammy came down with her "boy" Jim and we flew Kate down because she is so far away now that she lives in St Paul MN. We were able to do many fun things including the Beach and some closer attractions as well. Both girls came to church (remember its a 2 hour drive) the first weekend and I enjoyed having them with us very much. Kate was able to make it the next weekend but Sammy and Jim needed to head back to NKY. So much laughter abounded sometimes my stomach hurt. I miss having the girls here but, alas, I am also glad to have our life back to normal as well when they leave. I look forward to the next time we are all together.
Judy is still working at Taylored Window right now and still seems to be enjoying it. She has also been making stoles for pastors who are looking for something more custom made. It's fun to see a completed one and pass it off to people who are grateful for the talent that she has. Maybe one day I'll get one......
Well I think this does it for now. I definitely (well, maybe kind of or possibly) will be more attentive about my posting. Big things are in the future but who knows what they are.......
Praise Him with all my heart!
Greg
First of all. Judy and I moved; again. Across the street to a larger apartment so we will have room for an office and a sewing room. I'm not sure how long we will be in this apartment as things continue to change on a regular basis while waiting for God to show me the next doorway.
In May I accepted a 3 month contract call to small church called Emmanuel Lutheran. This is a small LCMC (Lutheran Congregations in Mission to Christ) is a group of people unhappy with the ELCA and the direction that it is taking in regards to its teaching principles. It started with a small group of about 20 and we are currently average around 40 every Sunday. We are currently looking at extending that call for another year. This is exciting as both the congregation and myself understand that we are all learning togther and doing our best to move forward with the good Lord Jesus Christ in our sights. We currently meet at a place called Partee Time which is an indoor play place. What better place to worship God? This possible extended call has Judy and I looking for work in that area so we'll be closer to our church family.
I'm continuing my education at ILT (Institute for Lutheran Theology) which I take all of my courses on line. It's real time and all the students taking the course are able to see each other and have discussions with the instructor. While it's not the same as being in the classroom I feel that it is better than just watching a lecture without the interaction. It's interesting to be able to be part of a program that is still developing and watch as they are still working out the kinks.
The girls came down for a visit a few weeks ago and we had a great time. Sammy came down with her "boy" Jim and we flew Kate down because she is so far away now that she lives in St Paul MN. We were able to do many fun things including the Beach and some closer attractions as well. Both girls came to church (remember its a 2 hour drive) the first weekend and I enjoyed having them with us very much. Kate was able to make it the next weekend but Sammy and Jim needed to head back to NKY. So much laughter abounded sometimes my stomach hurt. I miss having the girls here but, alas, I am also glad to have our life back to normal as well when they leave. I look forward to the next time we are all together.
Judy is still working at Taylored Window right now and still seems to be enjoying it. She has also been making stoles for pastors who are looking for something more custom made. It's fun to see a completed one and pass it off to people who are grateful for the talent that she has. Maybe one day I'll get one......
Well I think this does it for now. I definitely (well, maybe kind of or possibly) will be more attentive about my posting. Big things are in the future but who knows what they are.......
Praise Him with all my heart!
Greg
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