Getting into the Swing of Things

25 Friday Apr 2008

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There has been quite a bit going on in the Watson family.


Bethany lost a full pound in her first five days of life, which was a bit of a concern because she wasn’t a huge baby to begin with. We went back to the doctor for a weight check today and were very pleased to get the news that she had gained 10 ounces in 4 days. So, she seems to be doing very well.

In other news, when we got home from the hospital there was a copy of the Wesleyan Theological Journal waiting in the mailbox. I was excited to get a copy of the journal because my first academic article was published in this issue. The folks at the Wesleyan Theological Society have not put the papers online yet, but if you want to see the title page, you can check it out here.

My District Superintendent also announced here last week that Vera Walton will be the new pastor here in Lamont. Hearing that news was sobering because it made it really hit home that we are moving. But I was also glad because I have heard such good things about Rev. Walton. I believe that this church will be in very capable hands.

This Sunday is my last Sunday off. After that, it will be time for me to try to get back into a routine at church. I am also planning on posting more regularly. Specifically, look for book reviews of Tony Campolo’s Red Letter Christians, Shane Claiborne and Chris Haw’s Jesus for President, and Ron Sider’s The Scandal of Evangelical Politics.

Finally, as those of you who are United Methodist are aware, General Conference is going on as we speak. Check out Steve Rankin’s thoughts as he blogs his way through General Conference at The Rankin File.

I’m a Daddy!

17 Thursday Apr 2008

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Bethany Faith Watson

Bethany Faith Watson was born at 6:02 A.M. on April 16, 2008. She weighed in at 6 lbs 9 oz, and was 20 inches long. In her mommy and daddy’s eyes she is the most beautiful baby to ever live. Mom and baby are both doing very well, though all three of us are very sleepy! We deeply appreciate your thoughts and prayers. (Bethany is shown in what is currently her favorite position, hands up in the air next to her head… Touchdown!)

A Very Different Reading List…

14 Monday Apr 2008

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I have not been doing a very good job of updating my reading list lately… With the baby on its way, I have been reading some books that are, well, different.

Here are some of the books that I have been reading:

The key word, in case you missed it, is baby!

Life Transitions

11 Friday Apr 2008

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I am in the midst of what may be one of the craziest periods of my life. Those of you who follow this blog are aware that my wife and I are expecting our first child. The due date was April 9th, so we are eagerly awaiting her arrival at any minute. This is something that I am absolutely thrilled about and really looking forward to. It is also something that has kept us very busy, even in simply trying to get prepared. (Hence the decrease in frequency in posting.)

There is another transition that is not as important or significant as having your first child, but in any other season of my life would have center stage. After three wonderful years of ministry with the people of Lamont United Methodist Church, Melissa and I are leaving. I have been wrestling with and praying about a calling to return to academia. I applied to Southern Methodist University’s PhD program and was admitted. As a result, we will be moving to Dallas, TX in June and I will begin work on my PhD in the fall. I will be studying with Dr. Ted Campbell and Dr. Elaine Heath at SMU. My concentration will be the History of the Christian Tradition with an emphasis on Wesley Studies. My ultimate hope is to teach at the seminary level and pastor future pastors during their time in seminary.

It will be very difficult to leave Lamont. Melissa and I will really miss the wonderful people there. But I am also looking forward to beginning PhD work and immersing myself in Wesley Studies. I covet you prayers as we look to this new phase of our lives (both having a child and beginning a PhD).

A Blueprint for Discipleship

02 Wednesday Apr 2008

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I recently submitted a book proposal to Discipleship Resources for a book called A Blueprint for Discipleship: Wesley’s General Rules as a Guide for Christian Living that has been accepted for publication. The sermon series that I recently preached, “A Blueprint for Becoming Disciples”, was based on the work I had already done on the book. (You can listen to those sermons on my podcast by clicking here.)

A Blueprint for Discipleship offers a concrete and practical approach to Christian discipleship that is distinctly Wesleyan. This approach is built on the foundation of the General Rules (do no harm, do good, and practice the spiritual disciplines) and the practice of “watching over one another in love” through small group accountability. The book is primarily aimed at reaching a lay audience. I think it will specifically appeal to members of Wesleyan denominations, but it will have relevance for laity who are interested in growing in their faith from other mainline denominations as well. The book seeks to challenge longtime Christians to take risks and practice their faith, and fan the flames of new Christians who want to know how they can become deeply committed Christians. I believe that there are many people who sense that there is more to being a Christian than where they are currently at, but they are not exactly sure how to move forward. This book seeks to outline an easy to follow method for moving forward in your faith.

The book will consist of the following chapters:

1. Grace: The Foundation for Wesleyan Faith

2. Participation in Our Growth as Disciples: The Goal of Grace

3. The Method Behind the Madness: The Wesleyan Blueprint for Discipleship

4. The First Rule: Do No Harm

5. The Second Rule: Love Your Neighbor as Yourself

6. The Third Rule: Practice the Spiritual Disciplines

7. Finding the Balance

8. Watching Over One Another in Love: The Importance of Christian Community

9. Where Are You Going?

Thus far, writing is going very well. I am getting close to finishing a solid draft. A Blueprint for Discipleship is currently scheduled to be published next spring (2009). I will periodically provide updates about the progress of the book.