Methodist Blogger Profile: Russ Phillips

Russ Phillips of Now Let's See

Since growing up in Indianapolis I have lived in several other places in the state. In 1978 my family moved to north central Indiana just outside a town of about 350 people. Our three acres provides a refuge for my wife who is a master gardener and has developed several beautiful gardens with a great variety of plants. The town, Fulton, has a UMC church, by the same name, which we have attended since 1979 and it averages about 80 in worship. Actually I have attended the UMC my entire life and my grandfather was an ordained elder in full connection with the Indiana Methodist Conference and pastored several churches for a few years around 1900. He left the ministry after several years and founded Churchmembers’ Life Insurance Company that in about 1980 was swallowed up by another company. Although I don’t have many memories of him I believe he was a mover and shaker of his time. In 1930 he and 34 other prominent citizens of Indianapolis were featured as “Leaders In Indianapolis” in a full page spread in the daily newspaper that is now framed and I am looking at. He liked to study about Abraham Lincoln and in 1910 exchanged correspondence, which I have, with Lincoln’s son, Robert Todd Lincoln, inquiring about a particular phrase in one of his father’s speeches. If it sounds like I’m fascinated by my grandfather, I am. Oh yes, this profile is about me…

In the above community I was a school principal for 17 years, then fired, and taught three years following that in the same school at which time I took early retirement at 55. I then ran for the school board in the same district and was elected and am now starting my third four-year term. Obviously much more could be said but its best left in the past. In addition to serving on the school board I am a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) representing abused and neglected children. This has really opened my eyes as I have had the opportunity to visit several institutions in my state. While a principal I was never able to attend my Annual Conference. However, I have now attended each year since 2001. In 2004 I served as the 2nd alternate, and attended, our Jurisdictional Conference.

1. Why do you blog?
Actually I started out in the summer of 2003 by creating and administering a website intended primarily for the laity of the UMC with a special emphasis on my Conference. The site name, laitynicumc.org, generated some flak from a few clergy. They didn’t like the idea that “laity” was tagged on to the Conference website name. However, in recent weeks I changed the name to laityumc.org and let the original name expire. No flak so far on the new name. The purpose of the site is to inform and encourage dialogue on the issues before us. With this in mind I started the blog about two months ago that allows “anonymous” comments. Actually, a Conference staff member planted the “seed” which has led to my blogging.

2. What has been your best blogging experience?
Haven’t been at it long enough to have a “best” or for that matter a “worst” experience. However, from my experience with the website the last three years (originally it had a message board) I often wonder, particularly regarding the laity, “Who cares?”

3. What would be your main advice to a novice blogger?
As a “novice” blogger I think it best I leave this one alone.

4. If you only had time to read three blogs a day, what would they be?
I don’t read a lot of blogs. However, I would like to read blogs by other laity in the UMC. Know of any? I do routinely look at these that are by clergy in my Conference: http://hoosierpastor.blogspot.com/, http://%20jeffnewton.blogspot.com/, and http://www.xanga.com/nloucks.

5. Who are your spiritual heroes?
Jesus

6. What are you reading at the moment?
The questions on this profile. I know, “smart aleck.” Actually, I read few books. Books I have read are usually related to leadership and/or the church, i.e. The Purpose Driven Church, The Purpose Driven Life, and The 21 Irrefutable Laws Of Leadership.

7. What is your favorite hymn and why?
I don’t have one favorite. I enjoy singing although generally speaking I don’t dwell on the the lyrics.

8. Can you name a major moral, political, or intellectual issue on which you've changed your mind?
I haven’t necessarily changed my mind but I do find my thought process ongoing regarding war, abortion, homosexuality, the marginalized, and self-centeredness.

9. What philosophical thesis do you think is most important to combat?
This just isn’t my bent. However, I’ll continue reading what others have to say.

10. If you could effect one major change in the governing of your country, what would it be?
“Why can’t we all just get along?”

11. If you could effect one major policy change in the United Methodist Church, what would it be?
“Connectional ministries beyond the local church.” – This expression is usually given as the reason for apportionments. However, I’m increasingly skeptical about using “ministries” in this context. At best, in many instances, it is misleading and at worst it is a fabrication.

12. What would be your most important piece of advice about life?
It’s not about you, it’s about God.

13. What, if anything, do you worry about?
Not much. However, my wife and two daughters and their families are never far from my mind.

14. If you were to relive your life to this point, is there anything that you'd do differently?
Be more thoughtful about major life decisions.

15. Where would you most like to live (other than where you do now)?
No where, although I do like to travel.

16. What do you like doing in your spare time?
I enjoy reading Time and The Indianapolis Star newspaper as well as watching the Indy Racing League (ie. 500 Mile Race, etc.) and boxing on TV. Another favorite is using the Internet for “research.”

17. What is your most treasured possession?
Although there are several things with sentimental attachment there is nothing, I believe, that I couldn’t voluntarily part with.

18. What talent would you most like to have?
At age 63 I believe I’m pretty well adjusted to my circumstances and “talent.” You play the hand your dealt. I’m not interested in a trade.

19. If you could have any three guests, past or present to dinner, who would they be?
God, Jesus, my grandfather. Russ Phillips