Vital Churches

Tomorrow, I will be meeting with Stan Ott of theVital Churches Institute. Stan is the director and has been the leading force behind the Acts 16:5 initiative. Our church has been a participant in the initiative, and it has helped us shape our vision statement and direction in ministry.
I have asked Stan to help me with strategic leadership ideas and thinking creatively in developing ministry in our rapidly changing culture. I have spent some time looking back at my roots that those of the Presbyterian Church; now I begin looking toward the future.

Paint wars !

One Room, Seven Bouncers

Halfway Through

This week is the halfway point  of my sabbatical break. The time has flown by with all the activities I have scheduled. It has been a blessing to know that the  church is being well cared for by Pastor Rob and the leadership. I can't express enough gratitude for this time.
After 22 years of ministry and 11 years since my last break, this time has been a needed oasis. Thanks to all who have blessed me with this break. The truth is that I really miss the congregation. Before long I'll be back with a lot more energy and focus.

Mornings at Kamp

During the mornings at Kamp, we listen to a speaker for about 90 minutes. This week the emphasis is on how we are (or are not) discipling our children  (not disciplining). It has been said again and again that we only have 18 years to shape the character of our children. Like an arrow, we only have control while the arrow is in the bow. Once it has flown, all we can do is watch where it goes.
So the big question for us this week is "how are we doing."
It is sobering to realize that I have only 36 months left with Madison and Kinsley. How do I want to invest in them with the short time left?

An Afternoon on Table Rock Lake

Wednesday afternoon found us on Table Rock Lake. Similar to High Rock Lake, it is the place for water sports. For part of the afternoon we went bluff jumping. The rock cliffs are 30 ft above the water, and I am told the water is 100 ft deep. So it is safe. It is amazing how hard water is after falling 30 ft.

We also had a lot of fun tubing

Super Hero Party

Ropes Course

The highlight of today was the ropes course. It was challenging for all of us. We had a great time!

We are not roughing it!

For years we have sent our girls to Kanakuk Kamps in Branson, Mo; This year we have the opportunity to come to their family Kamp. So far one day in, it is awesome. Today, we had an excellent worship service and speaker. We spent the afternoon swimming and playing as a family.
One thing that we did was jump off a 40 ft tower!

Family Kamp

We arrived at Kanakuk's Family Kamp on Saturday afternoon. We were greated by friendly staff and got a glimpse of a week of fun. Sunday morning we had a wonderful time of worship and heard the first of six talks on equipping your family in faith. This will be a wonderful week.

Some photos

Home

After a 9 hour flight on Friday, we made it back to Charlotte. We had a wonderful time in the UK and Geneva, but we were glad to get back. There is something about sleeping in your own bed and reconnecting with a beloved family pet that makes you feel like home.

As I have reflected on our all the places we visited on this "reformation tour," I am struck by the courage that was shown by people like Calvin and Knox. Here were two regular guys who were so convinced by the word of Scripture, that they stood up to the monolith that was the Catholic Church. In some cases, they risked their life to bring the Word of God to the people. How difficult it must have been to stand up to the religious establishment and point out another way.

It has been said that we are in the midst of another major shift in how our faith is expressed. These shifts seem to occur at 500 year intervals. The Great Schism of 1054 and the Great Reformation of the 1500's have laid the groundwork for the Great Emergence of the 21st century. It amazes me that I am living at the time of a major shift. What courage is called for during this time? How can I lead my congregation through the turmoil of the shift? Where are we heading? All of these are important questions to consider.

During the weeks after the trip, I have begun reading a number of books to help me get my head around the shift that is occuring. Phyliss Tickle's book, "The Great Emergence" does an excellent job of putting the shift into context and showing what has led to this time of upheaval in the church. I would highly recommend this book. I am getting ready to read "Unbinding the Gospel" by Martha Grace Reese, and "Aqua Church 2.0" by Leonard Sweet. These books give some practical ideas on how to minister in the "whitewater" society in which we live.

Plane, Trains, & Automobiles...and a few other modes

On our trip I think we used almost every form of transportation there is. Of course there were flights here and there; and we did rent a car and drive through Scotland (on the left side of course). However, there were many more: we used the London Underground (subway); single and double decker busses; a large car ferry; a small car ferry; a person ferry; a train; a tram; and of course our feet!

 

 

Thursday, from Geneva to London

Our flight was to leave in the early afternoon, so this gave me a little time to make it to "Calvin's Auditorium" a place where Calvin lectured and taught. It was here that the College of Geneva began. With the reformation's emphasis on the scriptures, it was important to have literate and educated clergy. It is said that Calvin lectured or preached two times a day during his entire ministry in Geneva. All of these lectures or sermons were transcribed and preserved for generations to come. Simply amazing!
We made our way to the airport and boarded our plane to London. It was a fairly short flight. After clearing customs and picking up our bags, we took the underground to our hotel: the Jury's Inn and Heathrow. We would spend the night and then catch our flight back to the USA in the morning.
I was excited to discover that our room 608 overlooked the approach path to Heathrow's main runway. Every minute and 20 seconds another plane would fly right pass my window. As a pilot and an aviation nut, it couldn't get any better than this. I was excited to get this photo of an Emirates A-380, the largest passanger jet in the world.