Celebrating Bob Jordan

Glenn McDonald
ZPC Senior Pastor
remarks made by Glenn McDonald during the Jordan Family Celebration on Sunday, August 17, 2008

It all began with Bob’s resume. Back in 1992, when George Bush was president – that would be the first George Bush – we were sorting through a stack of official Presbyterian personal information forms in our search of a good candidate for associate pastor. Bob’s stood out like no other. It began with three words: “I love God.” I am confident that you are here this afternoon because you have experienced the fact that those aren’t just words for Bob. They have always been his way of life.

But I also happen to know that most of you have never experienced what it’s like to go to work every day knowing that Bob is just on the other side of the wall. For a couple of minutes, it’s my privilege to pull back the veneer and reveal something of Bob the pastor, Bob the partner, and Bob the friend.

Let’s begin with Bob’s title. He had only been here a short while when a ZPC member, who shall go unnamed, typed out a list of our church’s staff members. What should have been next to Bob’s name was ASSOC, the abbreviation for associate. Unfortunately, the S and the W being dangerously close to each other on the standard keyboard, a typing error occurred. Bob’s title was listed as ASWOC. All of us asked the same question: “What does it mean that Bob is an AS-WOC?” Now, we could have confessed the whole thing to God right then and there. But why do that when you can keep it alive for more than ten years?

For a reason we’ve never been able to discern, certain people outside ZPC haven’t been able to get Bob’s name right, let alone his title. I spent a whole day with him in which a nice man kept introducing him as Bob Parker. A representative from presbytery came to one of our session meetings and kept saying, “And it’s so nice to be here again with my friend, Rob Jordan.” Eventually we settled on simply calling him Rob Parker.

Bob has taken all of that in stride, which is amazing considering his commitment to the martial arts. Before the end of this month, Bob and his son Matt expect to be formally tested and then granted the status of black belt in karate. So don’t try anything fast when you give either one of them a hug later this afternoon – you aren’t going to get away with it.

Over the years, Bob and I have done quite a bit of traveling together. We’ve shared conferences and retreats and workshops and mission trips. Ultimately we discovered that our conversations with each other were often more productive than listening to the speakers who were headlining those seminars. During one conference we took turns passing a piece of paper back and forth. Bob had had this idea that we ought to make a list of what we might call the Marks of a Disciple. We started out with ten, then got down to four, and ultimately ended up with six.

I really wanted seven. I mean, who makes a list of six things, when most everything in the Bible comes in sevens? I had even identified the seventh mark: Feet to Go. It would convey motion and action. Bob said, “Feet to Go sounds like something you order as take-out at a borderline restaurant.” All in all, that discussion and that piece of paper ended up becoming the Six Marks of a Disciple – something that’s been a blessing to this and to many other churches.

When Bob and I were on the road, it was sometimes a struggle to sleep in the same room with him because of his habit of snoring. Oh, wait, I’m sorry. This paper appears to be upside-down. When Bob and I were on the road, it was sometimes a struggle for him to sleep in the same room with me because of my habit of snoring. For a while my dreams were haunted by the words, “Glenn, could you turn over, please?”

Sometimes we didn’t bother with the overnight stay at all. For that matter, we didn’t even bother with attending a particular event. All we did was take a day trip together, just to talk in the front seat of my car. One day we drove to Nashville, TN, and back. Another time we drove to the northwest side of Chicago just to talk, and plan, and dream, and to eat at a Brazilian restaurant that we both really liked. An amazing partnership, and an amazing friendship, was forged over those many miles.

It wasn’t always easy. I remember once we had lunch at Houlihan’s, and we became so frustrated with each other that we wondered if we could even figure out how to listen to each other. But God used those times for his glory.

Now, if you’re starting to think, “Man, these guys sure did a lot of eating for God’s glory,” you’re right. Eat a lot together a lot. We learned the sheer wisdom of that. Of course, Bob and Vicky first had to make the transition from California cuisine to Hoosier home-style cooking. Bob once explained to me that food in California is, and I quote, “A small portion served on a large white plate at a high price.” Food in Indiana, on the other hand, is served with the question, “Would you like gravy on that?” It was always fascinating to see Bob’s response to the lunches that were served at presbytery meetings. He coined the term “meat pod” to describe the typical entrée. And I learned never to talk about, joke about, or even think about green peas when sharing a meal with Bob.

From the very beginning of his time here, Bob has made a difference in people’s live. He had been at ZPC for only two weeks when he was driving on Michigan Road on a rainy day in his small, red Dodge Colt. A truck carrying diesel fuel swerved to miss another car and tipped over on its side right out there in front of the church. Fuel began to pour out onto the road. Bob and another man rushed to the cab of that truck and got the driver out. Bob’s ministry literally began with pulling people to safety. It has always been about leading people to the ultimate security of trusting God.

His boundless creativity has blessed us. Think of the white sheets that have been in our bulletins for the last five years; recall the vision for Get a Grip on the Bible, with its 40 storyline icons; and think of Weekend in the Word.

Bob’s playfulness is a blessing, too. This may seem like a very small thing, but last summer, when Bob married my son Jeff to his wife Christina, Bob went out of his way in his wedding homily to mention Cave Dwellers, which happens to be one of the worst movies ever made. The McDonalds and the Jordans were almost certainly the only people laughing at that moment in the sanctuary, but it was a small gift of friendship that was graciously given.

You may not know it, but for a number of years the pastors here at ZPC have taken a great risk with each other. After one of us preaches the first service, the others – who have been present to listen – provide a serious evaluation of the teaching and the leadership. Comments may range from, “God was truly honored by how you served this morning,” to, “What were you thinking?” Pastors can be neurotic, you know, and our egos foolishly fragile. But we have endeavored to help each other, even at the cost of discomfort.

Bob’s comments have always been amazingly insightful. He almost always concludes by saying, “Glenn, provide something more specific – tell us how we can actually do what you’re talking about.” A couple of weeks ago, just after the first service, we both began to tear up at the thought that our mutual part in this important ritual was coming to an end.

Most people in the Body of Christ, at one time or another, experience gift envy. We wish we had a particular ability or empowerment that God decided not to give to us. A number of times I’ve heard Bob sigh, “I wish I could sing. I wish I could make these notes sound beautiful.”

Bob, you do sing. In the way you serve, and love, and encourage us, you sing a song that no one else has ever sung. And even if someone might get your name wrong from time to time, God knows your name. And God knows your heart. Thank you for coming to us with the words, “I love God.” Much more, thanks for leaving a legacy of exactly what that looks like.

Glenn McDonald
ZPC Senior Pastor

What’s New in ZPC’s Building?

There are significant changes underway in the facility that God has graciously provided our congregation. The “remake” of our space includes new carpets, fresh colors, child-friendly artwork, and a brand new approach to hospitality in our Gathering Space.

The progress can best be seen in our recently renovated Youth Center and up and down the hallways of our Children’s Ministry wing, where the Treasure Island theme has come to life through the paintbrushes of multiple artists. The restrooms along the main corridor will soon be re-opened after their first major transformation since the Reagan administration. The new hues and designs will soon be evident in our Gathering Space, along with the addition of wing chairs for conversation areas and comfortable benches alongside the central columns and south windows.

Why are we pursuing these changes?

Earlier this year a group of ZPCers stood on the famous Temple steps in Jerusalem, a façade where Jesus undoubtedly walked hundreds of times. Those ancient stones are worn but still functional; no one would think of “upgrading” them. A modern church facility, however, can quickly show the wear and tear of thousands of members and guests. It’s safe to say that our building has been nearly loved to death because of our happy choice of accommodating round-the-clock ministries and groups. This facelift will help us welcome a new generation of potential disciples.

How is this coming about?

The generosity and volunteer spirit of ZPCers is making it happen. Gifts from the Target 2 campaign are underwriting the costs. ZPC members Scott Ridgeway and Mona Ruby have been contracted to serve as project supervisor and interior decorator, respectively.

Volunteers are making significant donations of time and labor, and gifts-in-kind from ZPCers have blessed us with the ability to stay within budget. The giant moveable wall in the gym, which is permitting us to have the gift of flex-space in that huge room, was donated by a local company. Unlike ancient temples, there won’t be any marble in our facility. But stewardship is guiding us in the choice of affordable materials and surfaces that will wear well for years to come.
How can I stay connected, ask questions, and add my own insights?

Keep an eye on the storyboards in the Gathering Space. Plan to attend the Remodeling Open Forum on Monday, August 18, at 7:00 pm, where you will have the chance to walk through the proposed changes. Ask questions at any step of the way. Thanks for your generosity in helping change the face of ZPC!

Glenn McDonald, Senior Pastor

Six Most Often Heard Questions Answered

Glenn McDonald
ZPC Senior Pastor

Twenty-five years ago, when I accepted God’s call to help organize ZPC, I envisioned a place where men, women, and children would become lifelong learners of Jesus, grow deeply in their love and commitment to him, and turn outward to invite more and more people into that circle of grace. That mission, which is the soul of ZPC, has never changed, and we all are part of a church family that continues to embrace God’s call to be disciples who make disciples.

That core commitment has also guided us throughout the challenges and opportunities of recent months. Thank you for your feedback to the decisions that our session announced just four weeks ago. Thank you for your prayers. Thanks for taking the time to write, to call, and to let your voices be heard in conversations and in public forums. Thanks, in short, for being faithful members of the Body of Christ.

During the past month, our staff and session members have heard a number of questions again and again. In the hope of providing greater clarity as we go forward, even if this second posting feels a bit redundant to you, I’d briefly like to address six of those questions:


How did this serious re-thinking of ZPC’s life get underway?

Last January’s town hall meeting, which was called for the simple purpose of hearing any thoughts, concerns, or impressions from the congregation, opened my ears to those of you who have mourned the loss of one of ZPC’s hallmark values: releasing lay leaders into meaningful, Spirit-prompted ministry. There was frustration that our ministries seemed to be increasingly “top-down” instead of “bottom-up.”

That theme was also heard a few months later when elder Andy Miller, who had volunteered to become our interim Director of Operations, sat down with numerous ZPC families and individuals. Andy’s aim was to take a representative pulse of our congregation with regard to our present and our future, especially as the session had begun to contemplate the possibility of launching a new building project. With no intention of being exclusive, Bob Jordan and I provided Andy with the names of about 100 ZPC households, which we believed reflected in various ways our church’s life and spirit. While these conversations were representative, we know they didn’t reflect every ZPC perspective; we continue to welcome your feedback.


Was Bob Jordan’s position targeted from the very beginning?

If there were a stronger word than No, I would use it. Only as our conversations proceeded did we begin to discern the degree to which some of our efforts — particularly those to grow and manage a larger church — had unintentionally made us less responsive to our members. After considerable thought, prayer, and deliberation, we concluded that, among other changes needed, the role of executive pastor was not a strategic fit for our way forward.

There is a world of difference between a staff position and an extraordinary person. As God calls Bob to a new place, where he will continue to provide his creative, God-honoring leadership, the kingdom will thrive and grow.


In the end, is this really just about money?

While the session’s decisions unquestionably have a financial element, and financial ramifications, they are predominantly strategic in nature. Over the years, the ZPC family has repeatedly demonstrated a willingness to step forward financially to support the work that God has given to us. This spring and summer we have endeavored to better understand how our continuing work ought to be shaped.

A significant question was raised during our July 22 town hall meeting: Is the church a business, or not a business? The Bible makes it clear that every congregation is a body — the actual expression of Jesus’ presence on earth — and not merely a human organization. Nonetheless, God’s call to stewardship reminds us that we must tend what he has entrusted to us with great wisdom. While business is definitely not our primary business, there is an operational aspect to being a church that we must never overlook.

Since the congregation responded generously to the Target 2 campaign, which raised funds to renovate our building and undertake mission projects, why weren’t we asked to support our existing budget so we could retain staff members and programs?

The session’s decisions this summer are deeply grounded in stewardship. We want to honor God in the way that we care for our facility; with the amount of time and money that we spend beyond our walls; and with best practices in budgeting the resources we’ve been given to grow our own ministries. Yes, we could prepare a budget that tries to include “everything.” In fact, our eagerness to do that in the past is what has brought us, in part, to where we are today. Simply put, our budgets of recent years expected a level of congregational growth that God has not yet provided. We still expect ZPC to grow. But we are committed to staffing, programming, and supporting missions in a way that reflects long-term, sustainable stewardship.


What about communication?

The comment heard most frequently from the more than 200 ZPCers who attended last month’s town hall meeting was, “Communicate with us…sooner…better…more frequently.” The nature of our deliberations in recent months made it hard, and at many times inappropriate, for us to pause midway and announce, “Here’s where we stand.” Therefore, to many, the session’s decisions felt like a tall and unexpected wave bursting on the shore. Please know that we are aggressively committed to a strategy of communicating, listening, and ongoing give-and-take in the months ahead.

Our next opportunity to be together is the annual meeting of our congregation on Tuesday, August 26, at 7:00 p.m. This meeting will be held in a town hall format and will include time for continuing conversation, much like our past two gatherings. Please join us. We are also planning to schedule town hall meetings in September, October, and next January.


What’s next?

I urge you also to join us during our morning worship services on Sunday, September 7, for a special opportunity to come before God with humility and repentance. This has been a difficult journey. These months have brought us to decisions the session believes will serve all of us well for the future. But there is ample evidence that along the way, we — leaders and congregation alike — have not always reflected God’s best. I, for one, need to confess my brokenness to the Lord, and to seek his healing and restoration. Worship on the 7th will afford us the opportunity to reaffirm and to receive the grace and mercy of God.

How are Decisions Made at ZPC?

by Glenn McDonald
ZPC Senior Pastor

Christian leaders of every generation agree that prevailing prayer, humility, and reflection on Scripture are the surest ways to hear God’s direction for a local church. While the Bible provides only a few specific guidelines as to how congregations should be led, Christians have historically developed three forms of church administration. All three are on display every day in central Indiana and around the world.

The Episcopal approach can best be described as a pyramid, with the highest levels of governing power lodged at the top. Decisions are made in a top-down fashion by a comparatively small number of people. In the Roman Catholic Church, for instance, the Pope and the College of Cardinals make decisions that are binding on Catholics throughout the world. Episcopal churches tend to be stable, but may become rigid.

Congregational churches exemplify the one person-one vote philosophy that can best be described as pure democracy. Every adult member of the fellowship is empowered to vote on a majority of important issues. Baptist and independent community churches take this approach to decision-making. Congregational churches tend to be fluid and responsive, but may become chaotic.

The Presbyterian form of government, as fashioned by John Calvin and John Knox in the 16th century, is immediately recognized by Americans as the basis for the U.S Constitution. It can be described as representative democracy. Members of a church or a community vote to elect elders (or congressional representatives) who make decisions on behalf of the whole. Presbyterian churches attempt to balance public dialogue and discernment with placing trust in gifted, mature men and women.

ZPC’s governing board is called the session. It is comprised of twelve elected elders and the five current members of our pastoral staff. While the session is charged with final responsibility for the entire life of our church, the authority to make particular decisions is regularly entrusted to staff members, lay leaders, and ministry teams. The elders routinely seek insight and feedback throughout the ZPC church family; open forums like the town hall meeting, surveys, small group discussions, and private conversations are all important means of hearing God’s direction for our congregation. Please visit the website for a list of current elders, (zpc.org, click on “about ZPC”, then select “elders.”)

Occasionally our elders and pastors will choose to meet in “executive session,” which means a members-only discussion. But the great majority of session meetings are open to any ZPCer who wishes to experience our process of discernment firsthand.

Financial Update

by Dave Rausch
ZPC Treasurer

ZPC has been abundantly blessed with your generous response to the “T2” campaign, which has now been fully subscribed. For that reason, this week’s (and future) financial updates will no longer include a separate summary of this campaign.

As ZPC has recently completed its 2007/2008 fiscal year (June 1 – May 31), prayerful attention has been given to operational budget and cash flow concerns that heightened in the spring, and have recently been discussed. As we enter the 2008/2009 fiscal year, ZPC has been blessed with gifts that have initially pushed actual operational income above budget for this immediate period. We are most grateful for these additional gifts and the generosity that will begin to address recent operational shortfalls. We continue to trust that God will guide our financial path in the days ahead.

Last, but certainly not least, ZPC has been blessed with the gift of Laura Axelson who has served as Controller for the past 3 years, thank you so much! We will miss Laura as she deservedly leaves to spend more time with her family. In the interim period until her position is filled, we are grateful to have the services of Mike Robertson. Mike has previously served as an interim Controller, member of the church Finance Committee, and as ZPC’s Treasurer.