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One of the challenges of being a pastor is to always find some way for a sermon to be relevant to our daily life. It can be an exhausting experience of constantly trying to stay on the leading edge. In my short tenure as a pastor God has graciously revealed to me that the pressure isn’t on me to come up with a really, cool sermon each Sunday. God’s Word, in and of itself, is genuinely attractive when it is presented without prejudice and with conviction. I believe the Word of God to be true. I believe that Jesus is the Word of God, and I believe what James said, that we are to be “doers of the Word”.
I also believe what Paul said, that we are to “hold fast” the word of life. Hebrews says the Word of God is quick, sharp and powerful. Jesus gave Peter the following instruction each time after Peter responded to this question “Do you love me?” – Jesus said, “Feed My Sheep”. Why do you think Jesus did this? I think he was preparing Peter to be the pastor of the gentile church in Jerusalem.
So, I take the charge that Jesus gave to Peter as my own charge – Dan, feed my sheep. Well then, I ask Jesus and I ask myself, what do I feed them? Peter later writes that believers should, “crave pure spiritual milk”. Does that mean I am teach the Bible literally, metaphorically, exegetically? The answer is Yes. God’s Word is so varied, and rich, and applicable to so many of life’s circumstances that you can’t hardly go wrong regardless of how you preach it. Therefore, the over-riding concern I have, is to preach the Bible as clearly and as accurately as I possibly can while not getting in the way of the essence of the message.
The pressure is not on me to be cool, relevant, or have catchy phrases. The responsibility I have is to present the Word clearly, accurately and with conviction. Then the Word that is sent out accomplishes its purpose all on its own. It is God’s Words that are active, powerful and life-changing – not mine.
There is an old gospel song titled “I Love My Savior”. The refrain goes like this, “I love my Savior. He loves me too. I seek His favor in everything I do.” It is a beautiful sentiment and sums up the purpose of preaching – to seek Jesus’ favor. My sermons aren’t given for me to get nice compliments at the end of the service. My sermons are built to faithfully represent God the best I can and to ensure that on that day I stand before Jesus that I hear the words, “Well done my good and faithful servant”.
If you want to be challenged in your spirit and find an avenue for real spiritual growth come to church, listen, learn and put what you’ve learned into practice. Then we will make this earthly journey together until we all stand in God’s presence to sing His praise forever!
I love this time of year. It is a time to be reflective and to contemplate. This month we will reflect and contemplate on some of the essential doctrines of the person of Jesus found in the book of Hebrews – Jesus’ Authority; The Power of the Word (Jesus); Jesus – Our High Priest; Jesus – The Perfect Son.
Together we will sing with conviction and confidence, “I love my Savior. He loves me too. I seek His favor in everything I do.” Listen to the song here: https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=i+love+my+savior+too+lyrics&view=detail&mid=FF716BD027A5E97EEF07FF716BD027A5E97EEF07&FORM=VIRE.
Wow – VBS and the Back to School Bash were a huge success! 21 for VBS and at least twice that many for the Back to School Bash. We all had a terrific TIME and we had great food, sno-cones and popcorn. We had lots of help from everyone and from Mineola FUMC – we are very grateful.
It is great for the kids to be back in school; football season has started, and we are getting some much-needed rain.
Sometimes we need the rain of God’s blessings in our lives too. Our minds and our spirits get dry, things cease to grow and then we cry out, “God, I need more of you”. And then the rain of God’s Holy Spirit starts – sometimes a sprinkle, and sometimes a flood.
The spirit of God has been sweet in our services. This is because you come with your hearts prepared to receive blessings from Him. As you continue to actively wait on God this month to receive His blessings we will be exploring topics in James and in Mark.
James, the brother of our Lord, was a terrific leader in the early church and his admonitions could easily be classified as ‘wisdom literature’. James is a straight-shooter and his aim is sure. We looked at his message on being ‘doers of the Word’. We will also learn about his message ‘mercy triumphs over judgment’ and explore more about what that means.
Mark, one of the twelve disciples, like James, also cuts to the chase. Like a front-line reporter in a feisty battle he gets into and out of a story quickly and then on to the next one. His writings have a staccato-style rhythm. One minute, Peter is given the keys to the kingdom, and the next he is labelled as being on the side of Satan. In Mark, Jesus also asks a very poignant question, “What do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?” It’s a question that can prick us to the heart. We will unpack this topic together.
Open your hearts and minds this month and be ready to receive the blessings (a.k.a. the rain) from God’s Holy Spirit to yours.
Book on John Wesley
Thank you for a great first month at Winona FUMC! Danielle and I feel welcomed and honored to be here with you on this journey to a closer relationship with God.
Thank you for a great first month at Winona FUMC! Danielle and I feel welcomed and honored to be here with you on this journey to a closer relationship with God.
When I was about 19 years old, and heading out to sea on the USS Ponce, I began reading a book on John Wesley given to me by my pastor. The book contained many of Wesley's sermons, his letters, and his thoughts on how the Methodists should be organized. I carried this book with me and read it every chance I had. I highlighted texts, dog-eared pages, and made notes in the margins. I included quotes from him in the letters I would write back home. John Wesley became my role model for how I should live out my Christian beliefs. His writing challenged my thinking and my behaviors and I was encouraged by his zeal for authentic Christian living.
When I was about 19 years old, and heading out to sea on the USS Ponce, I began reading a book on John Wesley given to me by my pastor. The book contained many of Wesley's sermons, his letters, and his thoughts on how the Methodists should be organized. I carried this book with me and read it every chance I had. I highlighted texts, dog-eared pages, and made notes in the margins. I included quotes from him in the letters I would write back home. John Wesley became my role model for how I should live out my Christian beliefs. His writing challenged my thinking and my behaviors and I was encouraged by his zeal for authentic Christian living.
If any book, other than the Bible, influenced me when I was young in the faith it was this one. It is simply titled John Wesley, edited and compiled by Albert C. Outler. Over time, the book began to come apart. I had taken it everywhere with me during my 4 years on the ship - shaft alley, the catwalks surrounding the flight decks, the mess decks and many other places. It has grease stains, oil stains, water stains and maybe a few tear stains. Today the book can hardly be opened without the pages falling out of it. I keep it in a Ziploc bag. A few years ago for Christmas Danielle bought me a new copy of the book. It was one of the most thoughtful gifts I ever received.
If any book, other than the Bible, influenced me when I was young in the faith it was this one. It is simply titled John Wesley, edited and compiled by Albert C. Outler. Over time, the book began to come apart. I had taken it everywhere with me during my 4 years on the ship - shaft alley, the catwalks surrounding the flight decks, the mess decks and many other places. It has grease stains, oil stains, water stains and maybe a few tear stains. Today the book can hardly be opened without the pages falling out of it. I keep it in a Ziploc bag. A few years ago for Christmas Danielle bought me a new copy of the book. It was one of the most thoughtful gifts I ever received.
To honor John Wesley, and our Methodist heritage, I will be preaching four of his sermons in the month of August: Circumcision of the Heart, Scriptural Christianity, Catholic Spirit, and The Means of Grace. These are very important sermons not only to us as Methodists but also to anyone that is called Christian.
To honor John Wesley, and our Methodist heritage, I will be preaching four of his sermons in the month of August: Circumcision of the Heart, Scriptural Christianity, Catholic Spirit, and The Means of Grace. These are very important sermons not only to us as Methodists but also to anyone that is called Christian.
Be prepared to take notes during these sermons and to ask questions. Wesley's sermons are available online, and are probably in our church library too. Read the sermons ahead of time if you have the chance. Wesley preached at a level his hearers could easily understand but he wrote in a more educated style. I will be presenting his sermons - using his points - but in my words and in my style. I won't be reading his sermons but preaching his sermons. Hopefully, you will feel and appreciate the passion he had for the Word of God and for right living.
Be prepared to take notes during these sermons and to ask questions. Wesley's sermons are available online, and are probably in our church library too. Read the sermons ahead of time if you have the chance. Wesley preached at a level his hearers could easily understand but he wrote in a more educated style. I will be presenting his sermons - using his points - but in my words and in my style. I won't be reading his sermons but preaching his sermons. Hopefully, you will feel and appreciate the passion he had for the Word of God and for right living.
Sermons by nature are a presentation of the concepts and ideals contained in the Word of God. They should be a starting point for conversations about the scriptures, our beliefs, and our behaviors. Likewise, sermons should always end with some sort of spiritual transaction taking place. Discussions are good and I welcome your thoughts and feedback as we go through these sermons together.
Sermons by nature are a presentation of the concepts and ideals contained in the Word of God. They should be a starting point for conversations about the scriptures, our beliefs, and our behaviors. Likewise, sermons should always end with some sort of spiritual transaction taking place. Discussions are good and I welcome your thoughts and feedback as we go through these sermons together.
Hello my name is Pastor Dan Vickers and I'm excited to be a part of Winona First United Methodist Church! Each week I plan on writing my sermons, thoughts, and prayers.
Hello my name is Pastor Dan Vickers and I'm excited to be a part of Winona First United Methodist Church! Each week I plan on writing my sermons, thoughts, and prayers.
A little about myself:
A little about myself:
God called me when I was just a kid. I felt his tug on my heart strings throughout my growing up years. I wasn’t always reactive to his wooing. Part of it was because it seemed kind of scary, and part of it was just an ignorance on my part – I didn’t know what to do or how to respond.
God called me when I was just a kid. I felt his tug on my heart strings throughout my growing up years. I wasn’t always reactive to his wooing. Part of it was because it seemed kind of scary, and part of it was just an ignorance on my part – I didn’t know what to do or how to respond.
However, at age 16, I gave my heart to God in a small Methodist church outside Texarkana – Few Memorial. I knew soon afterwards that God was calling me to become a pastor. After joining the Navy at age 17, I began to indoctrinate myself on the life and sermons of John Wesley. I attended church and Bible studies when in port and studied on my own when out to sea.
However, at age 16, I gave my heart to God in a small Methodist church outside Texarkana – Few Memorial. I knew soon afterwards that God was calling me to become a pastor. After joining the Navy at age 17, I began to indoctrinate myself on the life and sermons of John Wesley. I attended church and Bible studies when in port and studied on my own when out to sea.
My plans on becoming a pastor after 6 years in the Navy didn’t work out like I thought it would. I was deterred for a while, but soon I began taking on leadership roles in the various churches I attended. Throughout my business career I believed that each role I took was going to prepare me to be a better pastor – as an engineer in the Navy, as a branch manager at Bank of America, and as an IT project manager.
My plans on becoming a pastor after 6 years in the Navy didn’t work out like I thought it would. I was deterred for a while, but soon I began taking on leadership roles in the various churches I attended. Throughout my business career I believed that each role I took was going to prepare me to be a better pastor – as an engineer in the Navy, as a branch manager at Bank of America, and as an IT project manager.
I have led numerous Bible studies and small groups, I have attended many leadership training courses both in the church and in the business world, and I have participated in many types of programs – music, sound systems, event organizing, writing, youth ministry and finances.
I have led numerous Bible studies and small groups, I have attended many leadership training courses both in the church and in the business world, and I have participated in many types of programs – music, sound systems, event organizing, writing, youth ministry and finances.
In my free time, I am on the board of the local community theater in Mineola and I do some occasional free-lance sports articles for the Wood County Monitor.
In my free time, I am on the board of the local community theater in Mineola and I do some occasional free-lance sports articles for the Wood County Monitor.
My wife, Danielle, and I love working and serving in the church. My eldest daughter, Maarta, is a pianist and plays in the contemporary service at Mineola, and my youngest daughter, Marika, is a strong leader in the high school youth department. My son, Wynsen, is our firstborn and he is working hard, getting his education and trying to determine the next steps for his life.
My wife, Danielle, and I love working and serving in the church. My eldest daughter, Maarta, is a pianist and plays in the contemporary service at Mineola, and my youngest daughter, Marika, is a strong leader in the high school youth department. My son, Wynsen, is our firstborn and he is working hard, getting his education and trying to determine the next steps for his life.
My life goal has been to become a local pastor. God has been kind to me and has blessed me on my journey. I look forward to serving Winona First United Methodist church and continuing this journey with you.
My life goal has been to become a local pastor. God has been kind to me and has blessed me on my journey. I look forward to serving Winona First United Methodist church and continuing this journey with you.
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