CCDA 2006

12hrs to Philly in a mini van, and straight into a 5hr workshop! Even if Shane Claiborne is a good public speaker, 5hrs of sitting was just insane... but we made it. The conference itself was good and not so good. The not so good part was the main sessions that kinda flopped with okay speakers with little substance. Tony Campolo was funny and we all needed to laugh but he gave 1 of 3 talks we've all heard before. I attended most of the so called "boring workshops". I went to "Cause Related Marketing", "Steps through a 501(c)(3)" …you get the idea... They were so great! I learned so much.

There were about 25 folks from my church and hanging with them, eating famous Philly cheese steaks "wit" onions "wit whiz" was great. Shane invited us over to the Simple Way which was pretty neat too. I do love Philly. The highlight though was being invited to share in a workshop by Josh Kaufman-Horner. He runs a ministry called "Freedom From Fear" . Promoting true peace on earth: The Freedom from Fear (FfF) initiative nonviolently seeks the abolition of war, tyranny, terrorism, uncaring consumerism, corporate exploitation, and passive pacifism.
The next day Josh invited me to a small lunch meeting with one of my personal hero’s; Ron Sider. Ron is the man! We had some really cool conversation. He’s such a legend. He has written a load of phenomenal books, the most well known being "Rich Christians in An Age of Hunger". This book is on my "most fav shelf". If you haven't read it, go get it right now…no seriously… now.
Fine.

Well I would love to keep chatting but I gotta pack. Annie and I are off to London tomorrow for my sisters wedding! It’s going to be so awesome. I get to walk her down the aisle and give a speech. Kinda nervous (not about the speech), my family is going to love Analisa… I’m not sure she will feel the same way about them. We will see what happens!

church/Church

“The Church is a whore but she is my mother.” –Martin Luther
I keep coming across this quote in whatever I read and wherever I go. I’m that restless guy running from fate. I don’t want to talk, critique, think, dream or speak about Church anymore…but it’s chasing me. He’s doing it again… that persistent, sleepless conversation to believe anew in His Bride. To be honest,… I don’t want to. I’m weary y’all.

I’m not that complaining, bitter, idealistic, bible student or that burned out youth pastor -been there done that. I’m not even a disgruntled, critical, uninvolved church member. In fact I love my local church, I love my small group and am up for and thrilled by the growing pains of an urban church plant.
I think I might just be tired of the conversations about Church, disillusioned by everyone waiting for the next best thing, tired of the attack and defense on the emerging-postmodern-something-or-other. Maybe it’s all this talking Church and not dealing with my own junk that reeks of hypocrisy and tends to get suffocating.
Breathe in 1-2-3-4 and out.
Maybe I represent those feelings of the Bride sitting in front of the mirror not feeling too pretty. "Oh Jesus, we your Bride are so un-pretty and awfully embarrassing most of the time. Are you sure you want to keep dating?"

In the meanwhile- Annie and I are off to Philly this week for CCDA. What a state to be going in. Say some crazy prayers for us.
Later

The Crazy Ones