Kayden James Stockmeister

Kayden
James Stockmeister Kayden, 3, of Charlotte, went to be with the Lord on August 25, 2011.

He leaves his loving mother and father, Krissy Hans and Kenny Stockmeister, Jr.; grandparents, Rick and Karen Hans and Ken and Lidia Stockmeister, Sr.; aunts and uncle, Dina Stockmeister, Tiffany Hans and Ricky Hans.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, August 31, 2011 at 11:00am at Good Shepherd Church, 13110 Moss Rd Charlotte, NC 28273 with inurnment to follow at Forest Lawn East Cemetery in Matthews.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Good Shepherd Church to assist Kayden's family with expenses.
Please visit Kayden's online memorial at www.mcewenpinevillechapel.com

Published in Charlotte Observer on August 30, 2011

If you're like me, you see a news brief like this one . . .


Toddler drowns in SW Charlotte pool

A 3-year-old boy drowned Thursday morning after he fell into a backyard swimming pool in southwest Charlotte.

The boy was being watched by his grandmother at a home on Wildwood Muse Court in a neighborhood off Steele Creek Road, according to Charlotte-Mecklenburg police.

Police said it was only a matter of minutes between the time that the grandmother realized he was missing and the time he was found.

Paramedics took the boy to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

His name has not yet been released.

Police said they're investigating the incident as an accidental drowning and that charges are unlikely.



. . . and you subconsciously think, "that kind of thing only happens to "other people."

Except in this case, the "other people" are some of Good Shepherd's own; three generations of people we've known and loved for years.

So we are a community with heavy hearts today, trying to navigate the "what now?" even as we wrestle with the inevitable "why?"

So what's the more profound role for a person in my role: pastor or agitator?

If you say pastor, then you'll believe that the most effective leader of a local church will care for souls, pursue healing, and excel in the ministry of presence.

If you say agitator, then you'll believe that the most effective leader of a local church will stir up the people of the church to act on behalf of their faith, rally the congregation to dream big and accomplish bigger, and excel in the ministry of annoyance.

So what's the verdict?

Disclaimer: I am having a good week. I am content in ministry and think Good Shepherd is in a good place. Please don't read this post as a sign of impending crisis in ministry.

Having said that, I've been thinking about posting on things I can't do as a pastor for several months now. Why? Because at certain times over the last 20 years I've been asked to do every one of them.

So while I believe in Philippians 4:13 -- I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me -- I also believe "all things" has certain limits. Here are mine . . .

1. Interpret Dreams. Nope. Can't do it.

2. Fix Spouses. You know this. Many of those who ask me or any pastor to "fix" their mate overlook the fixing that needs to happen in their own lives.

3. Find Employment. On a few occasions, I have actually helped link someone with a job. That feels great. By and large, however, it is a daunting task that fills me with a heavy heart.

4. Tell You God's Will For Your Life. The best I can do is tell you God's will and ask/invite/urge you to shape your life around that.

5. Repair Something Broken In Your House. I can't do that in my house, either.

6. (OK, 6) Remember Something I Get Told Sunday Morning. Usually I have a pretty good memory. Not on that day with those activities.