Man in Motion

Yesterday I preached my “relevant church” message.


Yesterday I preached my “relevant church” message.

Last Sunday morning I preached for 30-40 minutes, casting a vision and laying out a strategy for accomplishing our congregational mission. Tomorrow we begin our fall sermon series. Today, I’m stoked and here’s why: 1. In the past two weeks, it has felt like we’ve left our church moorings and set sail. There is a…

I spent most of my day in in my head, in isolation, finalizing the course syllabi for my winter ’09 courses (Spiritual Formation and Worship Leadership). If you’re interested, you can access them here. While I sat at my computer, some guys from my small group spent the day cutting firewood. Out of the blue, they dropped off…

I’m taking responsibility for my actions. And I’m finding freedom. As I wind up my time as pastor of Hanover Missionary Church I’m learning to let go of things I wish I could change, but can’t. Easier said than done. It’s happening through ritual. It may sound strange but I’ve started planning moments that link…
I’ve been writing a Distance Education New Testament course since May. It’s August and I’m so close to being finished that I can almost taste it. Tonight Erika spent a much needed evening out with a friend. While she was sipping coffee, I was combing through a textbook looking for juicy test questions….
I’m on the hunt for some artists. Part of my teaching load this fall involves teaching a course called “Arts and Symbols in Christian Worship”. As part of my class prep, I have contacted a wide variety of people: everyone from a Greek Orthodox priest to a dramatically inclined, former college roommate who is currently…

This week has been a whirlwind of activity. Yesterday, I perused a stack of resumes for a office position we’re hoping to fill in the coming 2 weeks. Today, I spent the whole day–locked in a room full of white boards, coffee, and ministry staff–drafting next year’s intentional plan. It was productive and helpful. It…