Hope United Methodist pastor settles into role

After his first year serving as pastor at the Hope United Methodist Church, located at 432 Washington St., Ed Cottrell says his move to Hope has introduced a new type of fulfillment into his life. The 62-year-old father of three discusses what brought him to the ministry, his previous career, the challenges he faces and his hopes for the church, its members and the Hope community.

What year did you come to the Hope United Methodist Church?
I came last year -- July 1, 2017 was my first day.

What is the average stay of an appointed pastor?
It is about four or more years.

Where did you move from?
Indianapolis. I was under part-time appointment at Maple Hill United Methodist in Wanamaker.

How long have you been in the ministry?
I started out as laity. In 2000, I felt something calling me to do more. It was a second career and there is a several year process to discern if you are being called. In 2005 it was determined I did have a call and I needed to go to the school, which is called Course of Study. It is a 10 year process. After that I received an appointment in 2008 which is when I went to Maple Hill.

What was your career prior to becoming full-time?
I worked in fire and EMS. I have more than 40 years background and experience in emergency medical services and fire and have worked for ambulance services and went to work at Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health in 1996 doing ground transport and lifeline. In 2011, I decided to leave the streets and go into the Methodist Hospital Emergency Room. Last year my wife, Lyla, and I decided it was time to get out of this. It wasn’t fulfilling to us and we decided to go full-time ministry.

What do you enjoy most about the ministry and what you’re doing now?
Meeting the people where they’re at and talking with them. Helping them to understand what scripture is about and just being there for them.

How has this move to the ministry changed you as a person?
For me, it is a different type of fulfillment doing this. I’ve always helped people and this is just another way.

How many people are in your congregation?
Right now our average attendance is about 50 and there are more than 100 members on the church roster.

When it comes to writing your sermons, where do you draw your inspiration?
That is a multifaceted question. There is what’s called the lectionary. I am a lectionary individual, I look at it and form it around how the congregation is here and what do they need to hear about it. Sometimes, there are things that just hit me out of the blue and say ‘Here is what you need to speak about.’ I feel those inspirations and the notions, if you will, are God-inspired and how God is talking to us. There have been times I’ve already had a sermon written and Saturday night as I’m getting ready for bed I’ve heard, “Change the message.” It’s a little bit of dialogue and then I go and change the message.

Had you been to Hope prior to moving here?
No, I had not.

What was your first impression?
It is a very warm and friendly community. I started to walk around town and introduce myself and people would say, “Oh, yeah, you are the new pastor at the Methodist Church. How’s your wife? I heard she had surgery.” That is comforting and unnerving at the same time. These people are being very welcoming and already know all about me. The openness here and the people willing to accept us into the community is the first thing I noticed.

What do you enjoy most about the area?
The peace and quiet and warmth of the community.

What has been the biggest challenge for you?
Grasping the vision and helping others to grasp the vision along with me.

What do you mean?
Grasping the vision of what Christ has called us to do. To go out and make disciples.

What are your plans for building youth involvement?
I want to see us be more active with youth and make them feel welcome. Yes, you can want people to come. But if you don’t reach out to them where they are and give them a reason to come, they aren’t going to.

How would you describe your style and approach to the ministry?
I like to bring the people to what Christ has to say by how it relates to us here in 2018 and go on. How is it relevant to us right here right now that happened 2000 years ago. That is my style.

What are your hopes for your time here and the church and its congregants?
I would like to inspire people to become more active in the community – not that they’re not. But also being more active in the church and looking out for the welfare of people. By doing that we are doing what Christ has told us to do, to be our brothers’ keeper and be involved with them and see them. It is what God is calling us to do. God calls us to change.