Ford Street UMC Introduction:
I am Rev. John Randall.
I want to thank Bishop Tremble, CS Saneta and the INUMC cabinet for this opportunity to be your intentional interim pastor/coach at Lapel Ford Street UMC for the next 4 months.
The name Randall might be familiar to some of you. My home place is south of Lapel. In 1987 I accepted a call to ordained ministry. Lapel Trinity UMC is my sending church. Rev. Joe Wagner was the pastor.
In 2019 I retired from active service as an Elder in the Indiana United Methodist Church. I have served as a Student Pastor, Associate Pastor, Lead Pastor, Assistant D.S. I am currently serving on the INUMC on the Discipleship committee, Coaching task force, I work with Ed Fenstermacher and Church Development and I have coached several churches and leaders.
My wife, Marsha and I live in West Lafayette. I am a Purdue boilermaker fan. Our son Jonathan and daughter-in-law Dani live on the home farm south of Lapel. Our daughter Christina, son-n-law David and granddaughter Jazmyn (25) live in Avon. Our Daughter Klarisa, son-in-law Christopher and granddaughter Marlie (8) live across the street from us. Marsha’s father Max (93) has lived with us since 2019.
You will hear more about my life and family Sunday Morning, I am sure.
In addition to the coaching business Marsha and I founded and operate, we also manage and do the books for Randallane Inc., and Marsha does the books for her family farm in Clinton County. I also like to golf and garden in my spare time.
On one hand, I am sorry that I am your interim Pastor, because that means that Ford Street UMC is experiencing a dramatic pastoral transition. On the other hand, I am looking forward to seeing, hearing, and discovering where God is leading Ford Street UMC. You won’t be the perfect church in 4 months.
My goal is that you are healthier and ready for your new pastor’s leadership
My specific tasks are:
o Come to terms with our history and identity.
o Identify, support, and empower lay leadership.
o Engage in the study of scripture for guidance and reflection.
o Strengthen denominational connections.
o Prepare for our future:
§ Analyze pastoral leadership needs AND recent challenges in consultation with our CS
§ Commit to new directions/leadership with renewed lay and new pastoral leadership
While I have some familiarity with the Lapel community, I have not lived here since 1987 (wow, that does sound old). If you have any questions, thoughts or pastoral needs you want to share with me I encourage you to contact me @:
260-466-6405, John.randall@inumc.org,
3422 Charismatic Court, West Lafayette, In 47906
We are very much looking to your ministry in the next few months. There are areas that have lagged one being missions. I am on missions (not chair person) and have taken it upon myself to start getting things done, the chairperson doesnt do much. Talk to you soon.