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MCC San Jose meets at:
Grace Baptist Church
484 East San Fernando Street

Sunday Evening Service at 6:00pm

(408) 279-2711

Need directions? Please click the following link for information about how to get to our new location.

Pastoral Care

Rev. Marjorie Pearson
(408) 833-6103 – Home
(831) 295-2423 – Cell
RevMarjorie@mccsj.org

Rev. Sky Anderson
(408) 238-3594
RevSky@mccsj.org

Worship Planning and Volunteer Coordination

Rev. Sky Anderson
(408) 238-3594
RevSky@mccsj.org

Pastoral Search, Personnel Matters, and Congregational Leadership

Judd Ingram
(408) 806-1826
judd.ingram@yahoo.com

Church Finances and Administration

Karl Vidt
408-279-2711
office@mccsj.org

A lot of my friends have been wondering what’s next for me after I leave MCC San Jose.

In terms of work, I’m thinking that I would like to go back into software design and implementation for a while. That was a fun career, and it exercised a part of my brain that I haven’t gotten to use a lot while working as a senior pastor. I will probably take a month or two before I begin my job search in earnest. I’ve been out of circulation for a while, and I would like to take a little time to play with some of the new development tools before I really start looking.

In terms of church, I’m planning to be a church tourist for a while before I settle at another faith community. As a pastor, one doesn’t get a lot of opportunities to visit other houses of worship to see what they do, and I’m looking forward to a period of exploring before I settle down again. I will be maintaining my MCC affiliation, and I also look forward to spending some time with other faith communities both inside and outside of Christianity. I don’t plan to take another senior pastor position for a while, but I wouldn’t be surprised to find myself back in a full-time ministry role at some point in the future.

In terms of MCC San Jose, our denomination’s guidance is very clear. Once a senior pastor leaves a church, he or she is not supposed to return for at least a year. While I will be sad to leave the wonderful community that is MCC San Jose, I recognize the wisdom of our denomination’s policies and I will abide by them.

In terms of the council of churches, I will be continuing to serve as the president of the Council of Churches of Santa Clara County until my term of office expires in June.

In terms of geographic location, I am planning to remain in San Jose.

Overall, I don’t have a lot of specific answers about what’s next, but I have a very strong sense that I am on the right path, and I’m doing what God is calling me to do.

In 2010, Lent begins on Wednesday, February 17. Here are some spiritual practices that you might wish to consider for Lent this year:

1. Spend fifteen minutes each day in prayer
2. Take some time each week to call people you don’t talk with enough
3. Join MCC San Jose’s choir
4. Start a new, healthy diet
5. Spend twenty minutes each day in meditation
6. Attend MCC’s Course in Miracles group on Tuesday nights
7. Take the time to read a book that you’ve been meaning to read.
8. Take time each day to thank God for five things and ask for God’s help with five things.
9. Take a class that will help you live a life of health and wholeness
10. Spend ten minutes each day sending Reiki to someone
11. Take fifteen minutes each day to read the Bible
12. Attend MCC’s Thursday-night Coming Out Support Group
13. See a movie with friends every week. Talk with them about it afterwards.
14. Volunteer to help set up the church before service
15. Come to the church’s Monday night Reiki clinics to participate or observe.
16. Give up sodas, deep-fried foods, or something that isn’t good for you.
17. Come to MCC’s Taize services on February 17, March 17, and April 2.
18. Stop smoking.
19. Spend some time each day doing a meditation from the Course in Miracles book
20. Re-read our Church Vision Statement every day. After you read it, spend some time in prayer for the church.
21. Take some time each day to dance or exercise.

For many people, Lent is a wonderful time to explore new spiritual practices. If you choose one of these practices and make it part of your observance of Lent, you may be amazed at the way your life changes!

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One of my courses in seminary was taught by a minister who was also the pastor of a large, successful church. One day I and my classmates were shocked to learn that our teacher had just announced his resignation from his pastorate. I will never forget what he told us in class that day:

“I love the church, and I enjoy my work as a pastor. Nevertheless, it has become clear to me that I have finished the work that God brought me here to do. I am proud of what the church has been able to accomplish during my time here, and now it is time for me to step aside so that someone new can come in to take the church to the next level.”

After more than six years at MCC San Jose, I find myself in a very similar position. I love this church, and I love the ministry that we’ve done together. MCC San Jose has blessed my life more than I can possibly express. I know the church is much stronger than when I came here, and I am grateful for everything that we’ve been able to do together.

I believe that it is now time for MCC San Jose to move to the next phase of its life, and I believe that the church needs a new senior pastor who can build on the foundation that we have established together.

I will be having an open meeting with the board and the staff after church this Sunday, February 7, to discuss next steps for the church. Everyone is invited to attend. Our church faces serious financial challenges going forward, as do many churches these days. At the same time, we have an amazing congregation, a great reputation in our community, and a history of doing extraordinary work.

I will be continuing to serve as MCC San Jose’s senior pastor through April 4 so that I can help the church explore its options going forward. Please join me in praying for strength, wisdom, and discernment as we move through this transition together.

Sincerely,

Michael Patrick Ellard,
Senior Pastor

Please click the following link for more information about our 2010 Transgender Sermon Series.

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For more information, please visit the American Prayer Breakfast website.