I traveled from Ottawa to Halifax. Left 24c (78d) weather for 13c (56d) weather. A bit rainy, but Denn, the E&CG Director for the Atlantic district promised sunshine on Saturday.
I am here to meet with Denn and some planters. Denn and I will review the district planting strategies. We will be having lunch on the water with the planters.
I gained an hour here. My eleven pm has quickly become midnight. I am looking forward to a relaxing Saturday morning. I will take a run, do some work then meet Denn and his wife for lunch with the others.
Being out here in the field where the rubber meets the road is an enjoyable part of my job. Denn came here over ten years ago with just his family. He dug the church, Cornerstone, he leads out of nothing. They now average over 2oo, but it was not without challenge, frustration, a wondering if he could hang on. But hang on he did. Now there is a vibrant missional outpost here. He even daughtered another church about fifteen minutes away. Great stuff!
Friday, April 18, 2008
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
NORTH OF THE BORDER
I traveled to Ottawa, Canada today. I am here to do a presentation on m3 (Missional Multiplication Movement) to the Central Canada District of The Wesleyan Church. They are determined to make multiplication as a central component of their district. They want to begin the process of re-engineering their DNA. May their attitude begin to infect other districts.
I enjoy my trips to Canada. It is a beautiful country with great people. I get to feel a bit cross cultural without learning a new language. Okay, Canadians do have a bit of a twist on some of their pronunciations, but I mostly understand them. They also have Tim Horton's. I love Tim Horton's. Tim's is a coffee place. I love coffee! And when I am here I drink a lot of Tim's!
Canadian drivers also give "real" right-a-way to pedestrians. By real I mean they actually stop for those folks on two feet who step into the street. In the States pedestrians are suppose to have the right-a-way, but those of us who have walked in streets south of Canada know this is simply a concept.
On this trip I did discover even my Canadian friends have a limits to pedestrians. I went on a jog. It seems deferring to those stepping into streets only applies to those meandering. Which is pretty much the speed I jog, so I am not sure why I was not mistaken for a walker.
It also doesn't apply to those walking across parking lots. I was making my way across a large parking lot heading toward, that's right, Tim's! An older man was turning his car. Now he had the entire expanse of the parking lot to make his turn, but evidently I was in his favorite turning place. He headed right toward me. Fortunately he missed.
Crossing streets and drinking Tim's. This a little piece of out of country heaven.
I enjoy my trips to Canada. It is a beautiful country with great people. I get to feel a bit cross cultural without learning a new language. Okay, Canadians do have a bit of a twist on some of their pronunciations, but I mostly understand them. They also have Tim Horton's. I love Tim Horton's. Tim's is a coffee place. I love coffee! And when I am here I drink a lot of Tim's!
Canadian drivers also give "real" right-a-way to pedestrians. By real I mean they actually stop for those folks on two feet who step into the street. In the States pedestrians are suppose to have the right-a-way, but those of us who have walked in streets south of Canada know this is simply a concept.
On this trip I did discover even my Canadian friends have a limits to pedestrians. I went on a jog. It seems deferring to those stepping into streets only applies to those meandering. Which is pretty much the speed I jog, so I am not sure why I was not mistaken for a walker.
It also doesn't apply to those walking across parking lots. I was making my way across a large parking lot heading toward, that's right, Tim's! An older man was turning his car. Now he had the entire expanse of the parking lot to make his turn, but evidently I was in his favorite turning place. He headed right toward me. Fortunately he missed.
Crossing streets and drinking Tim's. This a little piece of out of country heaven.
Monday, April 14, 2008
A DAY WITH JONI
Today was my first full day home in seven days. I took the day off and got to hang out with my wife. We just did everyday stuff. We picked up some groceries. Walked around a mall. We ate lunch at KFC. We wanted to try their new grilleded chicken. I recommend it. I don't know if it is any healthier than their fried (which I love), but we felt we were eating more healthy. And isn't feelings what it is all about anyway?
We have a new theater that has opened up in our area, so we decided to attend an early afternoon showing. We were the ONLY ones in the theater. I am not kidding! We have been in some sparsely attended movies, but we have never been by ourselves. It was like having a huge screen in our home. We didn't even have to whisped when we talked during the movie. It was very enjoyable. So if you are weary of crowds I recommend you go to a movie in a new theater on a Monday afternoon that is not summer.
Bottom line: We had a wonderful time. Simple moments with someone you care about is always the best.
We have a new theater that has opened up in our area, so we decided to attend an early afternoon showing. We were the ONLY ones in the theater. I am not kidding! We have been in some sparsely attended movies, but we have never been by ourselves. It was like having a huge screen in our home. We didn't even have to whisped when we talked during the movie. It was very enjoyable. So if you are weary of crowds I recommend you go to a movie in a new theater on a Monday afternoon that is not summer.
Bottom line: We had a wonderful time. Simple moments with someone you care about is always the best.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
OUTSIDE
The North Carolina East District of The Wesleyan Churchy puts out a monthly newsletter. The most recent one had a statement attributed to George Webber. It is from his book "God's Colony in Man's World." Here is the statement: While we may gather inside the walls for inspiration, instruction and encouragement, the work is outside the walls.
This is a reality of the church today. We need to recognize that the work IS outside the walls! We must not cloister ourselves. We must not limit our service to God to meeting together, worship and interaction with fellow believers.
We must be willing to look outside our walls. It is here we will find the opportunities God has for us. Missional engagement demands the walls of our churches be scaled.
This is a reality of the church today. We need to recognize that the work IS outside the walls! We must not cloister ourselves. We must not limit our service to God to meeting together, worship and interaction with fellow believers.
We must be willing to look outside our walls. It is here we will find the opportunities God has for us. Missional engagement demands the walls of our churches be scaled.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
WHERE HAVE I BEEN?
It has been quite awhile since I etched on the electronic glass. Partly due to schedule and mostly due to feeling I haven't had much to say. Then again this assumes when I do blog I have something to say, but that is left to whomever chooses to check in.
Currently I am on the road with my colleague, Jim. We are presenting a one day seminar entitled "The Intentional Missional Church." The focus is on personal maturity, leadership, discipleship and getting the church to look beyond itself. This is not easy. Most of us prefer to look inward. The outward glance is time intensive and usually will put us in a bit of discomfort. Most don't gravitiate toward such a position.
Ease of existence is most desired. I recently saw an ad in USA Today that said: "No dieting + No exercise = effortless weight loss." This was followed by: Is it magic or is it science? I'll tell you what it is, it is wrong. But this is what we want, results with no effort.
This is the world of make believe. Weight loss does not happen effortlessly and churches do not turn around without effort. The sooner we understand this and begin to invest the time, energy and effort we will see more churches make the tough choices that will move them toward effectiveness.
Currently I am on the road with my colleague, Jim. We are presenting a one day seminar entitled "The Intentional Missional Church." The focus is on personal maturity, leadership, discipleship and getting the church to look beyond itself. This is not easy. Most of us prefer to look inward. The outward glance is time intensive and usually will put us in a bit of discomfort. Most don't gravitiate toward such a position.
Ease of existence is most desired. I recently saw an ad in USA Today that said: "No dieting + No exercise = effortless weight loss." This was followed by: Is it magic or is it science? I'll tell you what it is, it is wrong. But this is what we want, results with no effort.
This is the world of make believe. Weight loss does not happen effortlessly and churches do not turn around without effort. The sooner we understand this and begin to invest the time, energy and effort we will see more churches make the tough choices that will move them toward effectiveness.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
AIRPORTS
I am in the airport once again. In the past eleven days I have been in eight different airport terminals. People who typically say travel is glamorous do not travel...much! I await my flight. This one will get me home. And I am ready to be there. Good news is that I don't have to be at another airport, or get on another plane, for another 8 days! Yiiiippppeeeee!!!!!
What I enjoy about travel is the things I get to do when I arrive at my destinations. I spent today with three key leaders in Florida. They have a tremendous vision to see dozens of churches started, and many other churches revitalized that will help begin new churches. And the department I work in we get to help with this.
There is no greater honor. I will gladly, okay a bit grudgingly, get on planes and fly to places that have a heart to spawn a missional multiplication movement that strives to bring churches to vitality that will reproduce. And plant churches in places that have no church presence. This is legacy stuff!
What I enjoy about travel is the things I get to do when I arrive at my destinations. I spent today with three key leaders in Florida. They have a tremendous vision to see dozens of churches started, and many other churches revitalized that will help begin new churches. And the department I work in we get to help with this.
There is no greater honor. I will gladly, okay a bit grudgingly, get on planes and fly to places that have a heart to spawn a missional multiplication movement that strives to bring churches to vitality that will reproduce. And plant churches in places that have no church presence. This is legacy stuff!
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
TAMPA
I traveled from Orlando to Tampa today. A nice hour or so drive. The air has not turned humid yet, so the weather (mid 70's to low 80's) is very nice. I am here to meet with a strategy team of the Florida District. They have a big vision, but little resources. They know they have great potential in this growing state, so starting churches is a must!
Hey I read a great quote the other day: Leaders don't have to agree, but they do have to understand.
Hey I read a great quote the other day: Leaders don't have to agree, but they do have to understand.
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