The Spire

WOODMONT CHRISTIAN CHURCH JANUARY 23, 2018

WELCOME New Members!

Will Tuttle and Nolen Bevill

January 14, 2018

Cody and Karla Kraft

January 14, 2018

Woodmont Christian Church • 615.297.8563 • www.woodmontchristian.org • 3601 Hillsboro Pike • Nashville, Tennessee 37215
 2018 LEADERSHIP NOMINATIONS

How about you?

MIS SION
The 2018 Nominating Committee would like to know if Growing disciples of Christ by seeking God,
there are those that feel a calling to serve in a leadership sharing love, and serving others
role at Woodmont. If you have a personal interest in one
of the positions we presently are accepting candidates CORE VA LUES
Welcoming
for, contact Rich Sanderson, 615-997-9391. He would be
Outstanding Worship
glad to discuss and answer any questions you might have. Outreach
Different Traditions
Woodmont is now accepting nominations for: Mission & Ministry
1 Chair Elect, 3 Board Members, 6 Elders, On The Move
& 30 Deacons Nurturing
Woodmont believes strongly in the ministry of lay people. Once a year, the Transforming
congregation is asked to recommend fellow church members to serve
in lay leadership positions, and that time of the year is now!
M I N I S T E R I A L S TA F F
Dr. Clay Stauffer, Senior Minister
Dr. C. Roy Stauffer • Minister of Adult Education & Church Life
SUBMIT YOUR NOMINATIONS! Rev. Justin Gung • Minister of Children & Congregational Care
Rev. Chris Cox • Minister of Youth & Their Families
Go to woodmontchristian.org, Dr. Donovan McAbee • Minister of Spiritual Formation
Farrell Mason • Minister of Family Life & Pastoral Care
click the “Members” menu item on the top right, then click “2018
Leadership Nominations”
P R O G R A M S TA F F
Thom Schuyler • Young Adults, Missions & Outreach Director
Katie Sheridan-Gossage • Assistant Youth Ministry Director
Abby McLean • Children’s Ministry Director
Michael Graham • Music Ministry Director
Andra Moran • Creative Director, The Bridge
Stephen Daniel King • Worship Leader, The Bridge
Alexis Waggoner • Intern for Adult Education and Discipleship
Lauren Lucas Beuerlein • Young Adults & Couples Director

S U P P O R T S TA F F
Chris Beck • Business Administrator
Mandy Barton Brown • Executive Assistant
Martha Duff • Preschool Director
Sam Marsh • Property & Facilities Manager
Next Intro to Woodmont is Sunday, February 11 Jan Anderson • Administrative Assistant
Anne-Marie Farmer • Small Groups & Connections Director
12:15 p.m. in the Boardroom
Matt Diffenderfer • Communications Director

Have you ever wondered what makes Woodmont Christian Church so

special? Come find out for yourself! We’d love to have you for lunch.

Intro to Woodmont is a great opportunity to learn more about the

For the most up-to-date information, download
purpose & mission of our Church. During “Intro”, Clay Stauffer, our Woodmont’s Realm church directory app.
senior minister, answers all your questions, gives a tour of our church Search for “Realm Connect” in iTunes & Google Play.
campus, and walks us through what God is calling this church to
be and do, in order to help you make an informed decision about Woodmont Christian Church
joining us in fulling our mission here at Woodmont. It’s a great 3601 Hillsboro Pike
opportunity to discover more about our church and if God is calling Nashville, Tennessee 37215
you to make this your church home! 615.297.8563

Lunch is served, childcare is available, and you are warmly invited. www.woodmontchristian.org
pg 2
 Choosing Church Leadership
by Clay Stauffer

We are now in the final week of our 2018 nominating process. Nominations will be accepted through January
31st and then Rich Sanderson and the nominating committee will begin meeting in February. You can nominate
candidates by going to this link: https://form.jotform.com/73384718670162. Every leadership position at Woodmont
is important as we move to the future. I recently read an article called “10 Essential Characteristics of Church
Leadership” written by Patricia Lotich of SMART Church Management where she identifies Ten Questions that should
be asked when selecting leaders for the church. I find these questions insightful, accurate, and important as we
nominate and select our next class of leaders here at Woodmont:
1. Are they committed to the mission of the church? help others come to agreement and encourage
Anyone in a church leadership position should be able collaboration in tasks. “Two are better than one, because
to demonstrate his or her commitment to the church they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one
by consistent attendance, volunteering and supporting will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he
every aspect of the ministry. For instance, does this falls and has not another to lift him up!” - Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
person participate in church events, activities and
discipleship opportunities? 7. Do they lead by example?
Leadership abilities can be demonstrated by anyone.
2. Do they demonstrate Godly character in every Consequently, if you have an active volunteer, or church
area of their lives? member, who takes initiative and leads by example they
Church leaders need to be Godly people who set are probably a good candidate for your leadership team.
the example for desired behaviors. They need to
demonstrate biblical principles of communicating, 8. Are they accountable?
decision-making and ethical behaviors in every area of It does not matter how committed, teachable
their lives. Leaders need to have a high level of integrity or flexible someone is if they cannot get the job
and adhere to honesty, moral and ethical principles. done. Accountability is imperative to getting things
These behaviors should be the same regardless of the accomplished and is demonstrated by successful
situation they are in or the people they are with. completion of assigned responsibilities.

3. Do they communicate effectively? 9. Do they have influence within the membership?

Churches rely on its leadership team to help share
information and communicate with members,
volunteers and staff. This leadership communication
represents the church and should be fittingly delivered
and in a Godly manner.
4. Do they have a teachable heart?
We are all on a journey and need to be comfortable
with the fact that we are life learners. Church leaders
should have a teachable heart and be open to learning
new things.
5. Are they flexible?
The mere nature of a church requires flexibility. Leaders
should be flexible with what the church expects of
them and willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done.
6. Are they team oriented?
It takes an army and a team of volunteers to make
church happen. A church leader needs to have
great team skills and the ability to take a group of
random people and transform them into a committed
workforce that supports the church mission. These
leaders operate out of a win-win philosophy and
pg 3
Leaders are responsible for influencing others by
demonstrating a path forward. Someone in a leadership
position should have relationships within the church
community and have earned the respect of others.
“Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.”
- Proverbs 27:17
10. Do they have a heart to serve?
Church leadership is about serving, and people
appointed to positions of authority need to have a
servant’s heart and commitment to be part of the team
that gets things done. “It shall not be so among you; but
whoever desires to become great among you, let him be
your servant.” - Matthew 20:26
I know the nominating committee will be keeping these
questions in mind as we choose leaders for the future.
The nominating slate will go to the board in March.
Candidates will then be asked if they are willing to
serve. The slate will be presented to the congregation
later in the Spring.
Blessings,
Woodmont families serving at Woodmont’s Room In The Inn
January 19, 2018
We spent Friday night with a dozen families serving 12 men at Room in the Inn at South
Hall. It was a wonderful night of fellowship, food, service and even some card games! A
HUGE thank you to those that took part of your Friday night to help with this special
mission where your children are able to see what hands on mission really is about.

Birthdays Jan. 16-31:

1/18 Oscar Bell
1/19 Isaac Castellanos
1/23 Hudson Duvall
1/24 James Trainer
1/26 Anders Waynick
1/28 Rye Steele
1/29 Stone Trainer
1/29 Tessa Williams
1/30 Sophie Bugg
1/30 Lee Queener
1/30 Rowan Askew

pg 4
 An Important Reminder
by Justin Gung

Every now and then, like everyone I know, I wonder if what I do makes a difference. I wonder if my work is valued,
if I am respected, and if all that I do (and all that I want to do, but give up) is appreciated. Thankfully, every spring,
I get some important reminders that the path that I walk is probably a good one. These reminders come from the
Fifth Graders of the church, who go through the Disciples Class.
The Disciples Class is the class that the Fifth Graders take, which prepares them for Baptism. It coincides with
the season of Lent and culminates in Baptism Sunday, when children are invited to be baptized. Baptism is an
extremely important step in one’s journey of faith and the capstone experience of children’s ministry. When
a young man or woman rises from the waters of the baptismal pool, they are followers of Christ in a new and
different way. Truly, it is a changing experience.
Toward the end of the Disciples Class, each Fifth Grader is asked to write a statement of faith. This is meant to
be a brief description of who they are, and who they want to be, as a follower of God. This is meant to be a brief
summary of what they believe about God and the life to which they are called. Reading their statements of faith is
poignant and affecting, hilarious and winsome, instructive and inspiring. Often, it is all of these things in a single
page. Working with these young people and reading their statements of faith is usually enough to keep me going
for another lap.
The Disciples Class will begin again in about one month. If you are the parent or grandparent of a Fifth Grader, or
if you know of anyone who would like to baptized, please contact me at your first convenience.

My name is Grace. I was born in and am being raised in Nashville, Tennessee.

I love going to church. I love the thought of being a disciple and being able to
Justin Gung follow in the ways of Jesus. I am always excited to be able to come to church
and learn more about Jesus and his 12 disciples. Being a part of Jesus’s life and
From: Laura's yahoo <laura_dovan@yahoo.com> the church makes me happy.
Sent: Saturday, March 26, 2016 4:37 PM
To: Justin Gung
I used to question(like Phillip that there was not enough bread to feed the
Subject: Fwd: baptism
masses) why God took my Mom so early from this earth but I realized that he
was taking her out of her physical pain. I pray to God a lot. I think my family
Follow Up Flag: Follow up wants me to join the church, my mommy would want me to join the church, and
Flag Status: Flagged most of all, it is what I want to do. I am excited and a little scared to be baptized.
Categories: Red Category
I have decided that God wants me to do unto others as I would want others to
do unto me. Rather than be a doubting Thomas, I want to have faith and
believe in doing things the right way to be sure I get into heaven. I look forward
to learning more about the Bible in the future and also look forward to meeting
Jesus some day as I will
Sent from my iPhone probably be in shock! I hope
all amazing people will read
Begin forwarded message: this and follow Jesus and
make the right choices.
From: Andrew Dovan <atdovan@gmail.com>
Date: March 26, 2016 at 4:36:20 PM CDT GOD BLESS!
To: Laura_dovan@yahoo.com
Subject: baptism

My name is Andrew Dovan. I lived in Rome, Georgia. I moved here

when I was 3. I have faithful parents who follow Jesus and take me to
church. I love Jesus and God, and I hope to become closer to them. Every
night before bed I pray to the Lord and I read my devotion book with my
parents.
My favorite Bible verse is Revelations 21:4, “He will wipe away every
tear from their eyes, death will be no more, mourning, crying, and pain shall
be no more, for the first things have past away.”
To me this means everything in Heaven is wonderful. There are no
words to describe the Kingdom God has created for us. If you are feeling
sad you can turn to Jesus and he will make you feel better.
Sometimes I do not understand what God has planned for me.
One day I hope to go To Heaven and see God and praise him.

pg 5
 In It Together
by Katie Sheridan-Gossage
This year, I have had the amazing privilege of co-leading the CYF
Girls small group alongside Moriah Domby Pirtle, a crew made up
of the marvelous high-school gals that come to Youth Group on a
Sunday night.
Our group enthusiastically - though not always competitively -
participates in crazy youth group games and check in with each
other about our week’s highs and lows. But these girls come
ALIVE when we dim the lights, invite God’s presence, and talk.
They move fluidly from laughter to sadness, fears to hope, all
with trust, love, and honesty for each other. They sympathize on
the difficulties of being a teenager; they lift up their struggles
on how to lead a life worthy of God’s calling; they wrestle with
faith, y’all... just like we all do! Some of them (or should I say, us)
are loud and some quiet. Some have the night’s topic figured out
and some of us are waiting eagerly for a morsel of advice. Some
of us are snapping selfies (or taking videos of their leader dancing
like a loon). Whatever we are, we are in it together, cloaked in the
embrace of God. We are braiding the threads of our hearts into
ropes, knitting the strings of our faith into a tapestry that we can
wrap around us for warmth in dark times, hang up to behold in
times of joy. We will carry it with us no matter how far we may go.
And you thought church was over at noon on Sundays...
I have been asked if working with youth is hard - It is not in that
it is the most invigorating, exciting, creative, hopeful thing I can
possibly do in life. It is in that I am constantly examining and
sincerely sharing my successes and failures, that my heart is being
kneaded daily by love and frustration, and that I have the opportunity
to actively engage in these beautiful, evolving faith journeys.
February CWF meeting to feature
HOPEFORCE International
At it’s February 6 meeting, Woodmont’s Christian Women’s Fellowship
will hear from HOPEFORCE International, an organization well-known
to Woodmonters. Several of our members volunteer with HOPEFORCE,
which trains workers to be capable responders when disaster strikes.
Please join us at 11 am on Tuesday, February 6 and for lunch following.
Lunch reservations by Friday, February 2.
WEDNESDAY SPIRITUAL LIFE CLASS
January 31: The Nature of the Spiritual Life: Grace,
Mystery, Journey, The Ordinary, Silence.
February 7: The Spiritual Life: Misunderstandings and
Requirements.
Ben Curtis is a Professor of Religion at Belmont,
teaching in the areas of pastoral care and spiritual
formation. He had a counseling practice in the
Nashville community for 25 years as a pastoral
counselor and has a ministry as a spiritual director
for 20 years. He taught in the programs at Stillpoint
and the Haden Institute. His wife, Cynthia Ann, was
dean of the School of Music at Belmont for 25 years.
Calendar
Sunday, January 28
9:30 a.m. Worship in the Sanctuary, Sun. School
9:45 a.m. Worship at The Bridge, Drowota Hall
11:00 a.m. Worship in the Sanctuary, Sun. School
5:00 p.m. Jubilation Youth Choir, Youth Wing
5:45 p.m. Youth Group, Youth Wing
Monday, January 29
10:00 a.m. The Baby Bunch, Puppies Room (134)
3:00 p.m. Geezers, Boardroom
Tuesday, January 30
7:00 a.m. Centering Prayer Group, Room 100
9:00 a.m. Women’s Prayer Group, Campbell-Stone
6:00 p.m. Handbells Rehearsal, Choir Room
Wednesday, January 31
6:15 a.m. Men’s Small Group, Room 100
7:00 a.m. “Original” Men’s Bible Study, Room 105
7:00 a.m. Younger Men’s Bible Study, Boardroom
5:30 p.m. Grace Notes practice, Kids’ Commons
5:45 p.m. Wednesday Fellowship Dinner, D.H.
ENTREE: German Braised Cabbage with
Sausage and Potato, House Salad.
VEGETARIAN: Braised Cabbage with
German Potato Cakes
KIDS: Bratwurst and Hot Dogs with
Potato Wedges
6:15 p.m. DivorceCare, The Bay Room
6:30 p.m. Holy Yoga with Brooke Lovelace, Room 200
6:30 p.m. Discipleship Class with Clay Stauffer:
“Serving,” the Boardroom
6:30 p.m. The Nature of the Spiritual Life: Grace,
Mystery, Journey, The Ordinary, Silence with
Dr. Ben Curtis, Room 105
Thursday, February 1
7:00 p.m. Youth Boys Basketball Practice, D.H.
Friday, February 2 & Saturday, February 3
Room In The Inn, South Hall
 PRAYERS FOR OUR
CHURCH FAMILY
SYMPATHY TO:
Keith Walker and family on the death
of Keith’s father, Raymond Walker, on
Sunday, January 21, 2018 in Dayton, TN.
Services on January 23, 2018 in Dayton.

NEW CONCERNS:
Pam Zimmerman, Lumbar Fusion
Surgery, January 30 (rescheduled)
Elaine Markland

IN THE HOSPITAL:
Jim Phillips, St. Thomas Midtown
John Carpenter, Vanderbilt Cardiac ICU
Ben Cherry, St. Thomas Midtown

SUNDAY SCHOOL: ATTENDANCE: OPERATING: CONTINUING CONCERNS:

DECEMBER 31: 199 706 $172,761 Gayle Cherry
JANUARY 7: 474 945 $137,375 Mary Hofwolt
JoAnn Patterson
JANUARY 14: 369 768 $106,523
Al Richardson, Richland Place
JANUARY 21: 488 835 $38,862 Pam Richardson
Isse Waddey
George Wiles

FAMILY OF MEMBERS - CONCERNS:

Mal Baird’s sister, Memphis
Laura Brown’s sister, Barbara Johnston
(78) in Huntsville, AL
Gail Cherry’s son in Virginia - bone
cancer - chemo began in December
John DeVoe, Elisa Clark’s father - with
hospice
Jamie Huling’s father, Donald Huling in
Lasalle-Peru, IL
Linda Glascock’s parents, Nancy and
Jerry Taylor
Andra Moran’s mother, Ruth Ann
Moran, in California
Park Owen’s sister, Mary Lee Rogers, at
home with Alive Hospice

PRAYERS FOR OUR WORLD

This week, Woodmont’s elders
ask you to pray specifically for:

Those who are suffering from flu.

For the one in eight couples suffering in infertility they no longer have to walk alone. All those affected by the cold, snow and
ice across the county.
Waiting in Hope ministries is a national nonprofit aimed at supporting ladies
through local support groups and marriages through couples dinners. Come find Room in the Inn who helps the
homeless during this cold weather.
support, fellowship, friendship and love. If you or someone you know is struggling
with Infertility ... WAITING IN HOPE is for you. Peace and civility in our government.
Please contact Julie or Sarah Kate at nashville@waitinginhopeinfertility.com for any Those killed and injured in the storms
additional information. WIH meets every 2nd and 4th Wednesday at 6:30 in Campbell West. that swept across Europe.

pg 7
 Nonprofit Org.
US Postage Paid
Nashville, TN
Permit No.1204

New Elder & Deacon Chairs