For anyone interested in reading about urban ministry and theology, the
book I've been reading seems like a decent start. I haven't read widely
enough, but it did expose me to new concepts and insights. Helpful in
that regard.
On the critical side, I did find the arguments to be somewhat weaker
than I hoped. Not that I could necessarily do better, but some of the
points the author makes strike me as either a stretch of a biblical
passage, or a redundant point that seems to add little toward
developing a "theology of the city."
For example, there's a chapter on large, metropolitan cities being
"sisters" to each other, while the suburbs are like daughters. The
author calls Chicago and Mikwaukee as sisters, with the various
surrouding suburbs as the daughters. His point then is to say that if
cities are all related to each other like a family, then we should all
care for other cities like family. He expands this to say that people
in US cities should care for cities in Iraq.
Well, I don't think we need to talk about cities being "sisters" to
make a simple case that people, Christians in particular, should care
about cities and people in other nations, even the "enemy" nations that
may harbor terrorists.
All in all, I'm a bit disappointed, but maybe the book will get better
as I'm only halfway through it right now. God, please make me open and
humble to learn!
It's almost funny to think about it: how long it's been since I've
posted. Brings a smile to my face. That something I don't make time for
is such a time consuming part of many lives. I wonder why?
And you thought I was going to post something more?
With the end of summer, students who had so much free time are now busy in school this fall. It seems for me the opposite, and I'm thankful for that!
So, I've been sick for several weeks, and am still getting over it. My illness has spanned four weeks as of today, and I'm still coughing a bit, but thankfully much less. I suppose the antibiotics helped.
I'd like to thank the Lord for restoring better health to me, and the counselors and other partners in ministry who helped out so much while I was gone. I've missed our worship service for 3 weeks. I stayed home everyday last week. After being home with Karen and Evan so much, I'm eager to get back to the office and do some much needed work. It is weird, however, to not be at home. Karen told me on Tuesday that Evan was calling for "baba" throughout the day. I guess he got used to me being home also.
My sick time has availed me much time for praying and thinking. STC was fun, but in my view, more a testimony to what God is doing in our youth ministry more than anything else. At STC, people say they had fun, learned a lot about God, and grew closer to Him and to one another. I saw all that, but more.
I saw God continue to stretch and grow people's love for Him. I saw counselors shine in their ministry to the teens. I saw teens who served humbly, faithfully, joyfully, and skillfully. It was awesome.
But after STC, seeing how I am totally dispensible to God's work, it's even more encouraging to see our English service worship team, Tech Team, and the Youth ministry fly so well without me. Ah... it was a good break for the undershepherd, and I think also a good break for the little flock I serve.
So, what's up for the fall? Going to LA for a training conference. More news of old friends getting engaged. Moving offices and starting up the youth lounge in Chinatown. (I'm so excited!)
Family is good. Evan is running and seems to learn fast. I'm sure many, if not most, babies do. I will refrain from the typical parent's remarks of "Evan's so smart! I bet he's smarter than most kids!" Electing to be objective, let me say modestly that Evan surprises me with his curiosity, cleverness, and sense of humor. I love that little guy! I love my baby, too.
As I sit in my office, I'm experiencing the quiet and concentrated span of work that I've not had during the past summer. But what a terrific summer the Lord blessed us with!
Project Destiny 2003 - I'd like to update y'all on what God did at PD 2K3. Project Destiny is our church's summer day camp for middle school students. This was PD's 10th year running. The Lord allowed me to give a good amount of time into the people and program of PD. Not to get into the (exciting!) details, but the results are still to be seen. We're excited to have about 16 students accept Christ. And I'm thrilled that 12 of them participated in our Summer Teen Conference as well. Hopefully the many new middle school students can make a home in our youth group, TWR. I'm really excited that several of them live in the community, so I'll hopefully bump into them during the weekdays.
Summer Sports Outreach - We had our annual Crossover Games basketball league and a Teen Volleyball Clinic put on by our youth program. Over 50 kids combined spent Sunday afternoons playing sports and hearing testimonies of Jesus' work in our lives. I even got to coach a team for the bball playoffs. Though our team didn't win the championship, I sincerely (and objectively, mind you) believe our team had the greatest heart and team work among all the teams. I also enjoyed meeting many students through our vball clinics. I hope to see them during the year at some of our youth events.
Summer Teen Conference 2003 - we had our second ever summer conference put on solely by our church. (Our Winter Teen Conferences are jointly put on by three churches.) What a good time! I felt God leading me to preach at Conference, which was not my hope or intention at all. I thought I would have very little left in me to preach 5 sermons after this busy summer. But God showed again that He is the one who sends forth His Word in the messages. I truly felt inspired in that the insights I taught and exortations I gave were beyond me. Praise God. The camp itself was also good for fellowshiping, and students to begin to open up to counselors.
Personally, one of our best friends got married this summer. They're actually Evan's godparents. (In our Protestant way, that means we want them to be a special part of Evan's life, praying for and encouraging him.) Karen and I also spent time together, which is miraculous given the hectic schedule I had. She had her hands full with just caring for Evan. Thanks, babe, for being a wonderful mother.
Family-wise, I'm trying to plan a getaway for our little family. And trying to make my way through the never ending list of ministry tasks. But as the psalmist writes, "The Lord is my strength, whom shall I fear?"
More than events and programs, I'm thankful for the relationships God helped me to build this summer. I feel closer to the students at BCEC than ever before (well, I guess that's bound to happen the longer I'm here.) But at the same time, this senior class will I miss very much.
OK. Long entries are to be expected when one updates about 4 times a year. :)
