BST's Blog

Sometimes creativity gets me in trouble. Sometimes it means I get a little too creative for people's comfort zones, but usually it just means that it creates more work for me in the long run. I've been so fired up about the leadership track of the conference this year. I think it will be the best yet.

We basically have 3 sessions together. Session one will begin with Kip Long and his youth praise team leading us in worship. We'll go on to talk about marriage and relationships in the context of ministry hearing from a couple spouses and my best friend who is a worship minister in TX and has gone through some very difficult stuff this year. We're going to spend some time afterwards writing a note to our mate or significant other. Then we'll split for small group time to discuss Brian McClarin's presentation that day.

Friday we will begin with Nino leading a time of worship with his guitar--something he is doing at Southlake, where he ministers. From there, Jeff Nelson and I will address some needs brought up in the email correspondence we've had with the worship leaders. It should be a time of real sharing and honesty. We'll have small group time again and talk about McClarin's presentation.

That afternoon, and here's where I've gotten myself in trouble, we are going to talk Emergent Church stuff. As I thought more about talking about Emergent stuff. I thought, why talk about it when we could just have an emergent service like we've done at OC? What a great idea--last week! I'm kidding--it's still an energizing idea. It's just consumed my prep time for the last week. I am really pumped about it though! I will lead, JV will play keys, TJ (whom I blogged about last week) will sing and play guitar and Amanda will sing too. We've got a team of folks who help make those services happen here working to help me pull this off. Lee Camp, one of our OC members and author of Mere Discipleship, will share a little. Scott Owings, my dear brother and staff mate, will also help guide thoughts. We will have several different stations representing the desert, desperation, renewal, and community. I am really pumped about it! This picture was taken at one of our emergent services.

I know it will be a real stretch for some. However, we can't really talk about being an emerging church without providing a laboratory for people to see what kinds of services we're talking about. Jesus brought the Word to life. He was the Word made flesh. He was a story teller. Can you imagine if he never told a story, or never talked in metaphor? Can you imagine if he were only 2 dimensional? These services try to take the Word and bring it to life. Instead of just hearing a sermon, it attempts to bring fresh life to the message through meditation, experience, spiritual exercises, and community.

Please pray about that for me. I want it to be a rich experience for those present. I want it to be a time of ministry without people getting hung up in the way things are done. Hopefully, by that time in the week, people will have heard some convicting things from Brian and be more open. Would you just pray for open hearts and for Godly discernment for me? Thanks!

I've already written too much. I need to go back and hit it hard. Lots left to do. Last night we had wonderful fajita quesadillas at a Mexican food place near our house and then went to the playground for some fun and frolic. It was so great. Sheryl and I met another couple there who go to West End Community Church. We know some of the same people and had the most encouraging conversation with these "strangers". Isn't family wonderful? We share the blood of Christ. It was amazing how close we felt to these people.

God is good. I imagine we'll be saying that a lot this week. Have a great Tuesday!