- I think my last mind dump was at the beginning of summer, so it makes sense to write one now as summer winds down (at least based on school resuming).
- My kids don’t start until Thursday this week, but it seems like most kids are back.
- At least if church attendance is any indication–the last few weeks have been packed.
- Probably about time to make another push for folks to join us at the 5pm service.
- It’s not ideal for most people, but God keeps bringing new people in the morning.
- Great problem to have all in all.
- Had fun preaching yesterday.
- After preaching last week at Restoration Church in Prescott (which was really fun), it was nice to be back “at home.”
- Restoration is a church plant we support, and I serve on the management team (until local elders are established).
- Fun to see an idea like that come to fruition with what seems like a healthy, growing church.
- But, yeah, it was good to be back at Gateway.
- Trying to get ready for a new leadership development environment that begins this fall called “The Greenhouse.”
- It’s something I’m leading for aspiring and existing leaders to grow in their leadership in any realm.
- I think it should be valuable for folks who lead in the church or in other areas of life.
- It’s a five month deal and each month will cover one of the following areas of leadership:
- Gospel-Centered Leadership — leading from a gospel perspective
- Self Leadership — building a life of character
- Interpersonal Leadership — developing relationships of trust
- Team Leadership — distributing power to make everyone better
- Organizational Leadership — creating culture for mission
- If it goes well, we’ll do another round of it next semester — all with fresh content.
- That way people can continue in it if they find it valuable.
- I like starting new stuff, so this should be fun.
- One of the things I’m definitely going to show at some point in the process is this video by Brené Brown on empathy.
- It is one of the major areas I’ve been learning about and working to grow in.
- Also trying to get some things in order as I prepare for my last year of my Masters Degree program through the Missional Training Center.
- It’s been a great program, but I’ll be happy when it’s over (as will my family).
- I feel like it’s helped me not just learn some deeper theological truths, but actually grow as a person and pastor.
- Pastoring is a huge privilege.
- To be invited into some of people’s best and worst moments is something I always need God’s strength for.
- A few of those have been recently, as a number of families in our church are feeling the crushing pain of unexpected deaths.
- It’s truly heartbreaking.
- I’m not always sure what to say or what to do, but I do know that these kinds of losses need to be grieved and mourned.
- As I recently heard from Dr. John Townsend, “If you don’t grieve your loss, you’re saying it didn’t matter.”
- I’m more and more convinced that there are a lot of losses we’re all experiencing without grieving.
- Some–like death–are obvious.
- But the other losses we don’t grieve add up, and it’s no wonder we all need so much healing in our lives.
- I’m writing as one who is trying to figure out how to do it well and to give space for others to as well.
- Well, that’s probably about it for today.
- I’ll close with a few random things:
- One of my favorite comedians, Nate Bargatze, was just on the Tonight Show again (he’s actually been on with Fallon more than any other stand-up comedian)
- I love following “Classic Dad Moves” on Twitter. This was one of their best things.
- Looks like “The Mooch” is out of the White House communications office. That didn’t take long. I don’t envision the West Wing being listed in anyone’s “Best Places to Work” list anytime soon.
- The Dodgers are on a nice roll (my friend Josh is one of their coaches and my friend Dale is one of their biggest fans). Pretty cool that they had a rookie get a walk-off double in his first MLB at-bat.
- The Cubs gave Steve Bartman a World Series ring. Kind of a neat story.
- Do yourself a favor and read Joni Eareckson Tada’s “Reflections on the 50th Anniversary of My Diving Accident”
- Alright, that’s all for today.
- Have a great week.
