e & a at the nacc

We went to Louisville last week for the NACC… we took the four kids. Call us crazy! Some of the highlights of the week:

• The six of us slept in two double beds.
• The fire alarms went off one night at 3:00 am.
• Ethan threw so many fits, I lost count.
• We came home with only one of Ethan’s crocs.
• Colin and Aubrey got to hang with Braden and Elana for a few days.
• The four of them went to Six Flags!
• Ethan likes to lock doors and shut them…not good in a suite hotel room.
• Tired toddlers and TGI Fridays don’t mix well.
• It’s always fun to see friends from all over the country, from various times in my life.
• E or A crayoned the bedroom mirror…never found the crayon.
• I got to take in some of the convention… especially enjoyed getting to meet Mel McGowan from Visioneering… a cool ministry doing some amazing church design.

We were exhausted by the time we got home… but so glad we got to go.

E & A posed for some pics outside the convention center one afternoon…

the power of story

There is a lot of talk about ’story’ right now. In fact, there is a one day conference coming up this fall called Story.

While we were in NYC, Lynda and I took one night to celebrate our wedding anniversary and go out to a show. We ended up seeing In the Heights, which won last year’s Tony for best musical. And after seeing it, I can see why. What an amazing show.

As I watched it, I was in total awe of how someone can craft such a creative piece…weaving three stories together to tell one story. The music was memorable…the characters endearing…the story compelling. Just an amazing show. Even now, several days later, I’m still thinking about it, remembering lines and songs.

It reminds me how important the message we communicate each week in our churches truly is. We have the role of sharing the most important story ever told.

So my question is: Are we telling it in a way that stays with people long after they leave our doors?

nyc with the incarnation team

We had a great long weekend with the team (and our good friends) of Church of the Incarnation, a new church planting this fall on the upper west side of Manhattan. As we got to hang with the team (Jared & Stephanie Witt and Rhesa Storms — Jonathan & Jubi Williams will be joining the team soon), we were able to get a real sense of what they are doing and what COTI is going to look like. I was able to help them think through some marketing and facility stuff… but more importantly, we were just able to encourage and support them as they are planning their launch. I remember those months leading up to us starting Harbor of Hope… it was sometimes lonely, sometimes discouraging and, many times, overwhelming. So I think it was a perfect trip for us to make.

Here is a pic from our last night there when we all got to go out for dinner at a great place in the city… It was so good to be with such good friends. We miss them…and are praying for them as they prepare for their launch.

showing off…

We’ve been moving kids around the house to try to make sleeping a bit better… that means Colin gets his own room now. He’s pretty excited about that. So now he finally has a place to display his Lego creations and stuff… Here are a few pics Lynda snapped of Aubrey and Colin as they were setting things up…

my dream job

I think I could make a living being a professional conference attender… there are so many out there I would like to attend. Hoping to maybe take in a few of these…

• Killing Cockroaches tour — I read Tony Morgan’s book earlier in the year and it was great (I posted a review here). He’s taking the show on the road this summer and is making a stop up in Aurora at The Orchard. I’ve wanted to make a trip up there for the past year to see what Scott Hodge and team have up there. I’d get to kill two birds with one stone.
• Cultivate Conference 09 — In October, Chicago will be home to the Cultivate Conference. This will be a gathering of some of the most creative people in the ministry world. It looks like a thought-provoking learning experience.
• Story — the next day, Ben Arment’s two day experience will be held outside Chicago in Aurora. I attended his Whiteboard Sessions last year and met some great people. This promises to be another great gathering.
• Catalyst — in the fall, Atlanta is the place to be. I’ve wanted to attend Catalyst the past few years but it just hasn’t happened. Hoping to make it this year.

So sign me up… I’m ready to become Matt Bortmess, Full-time Conference-attender.

big goal for the summer…

at least for me it is. I’m committing to read through the growing stack of books that are on my bookshelf in my office… they have all been ones that caught my eye over the past 6 months but haven’t gotten around to reading yet. Here’s what I’ll be reading this summer, in no particular order:

• The Unlikely Disciple
• Everything Must Change
• The Hole in Our Gospel
• Collapse of Distinction
• The Furious Longing of God
• Jesus Wants to Save Christians
• Sin Boldly
• The Fine Line
• It
• Holy Discontent
• Churched
• Church Unique

So I’ll post here how I’m coming along. My first one will be The Unlikely Disciple…going to take it with me on the plane to NYC this week. It looks really good.

What are you reading this summer? Any good novels you’d recommend (that’s what my list is lacking..)?

updating my links

I just wanted to mention that I’ve added some links of blogs that I’m currently reading. Check ‘em out…

Imagine NYC — our good friends, Jared & Stephanie Witt, are in NYC planting a new church. We’re heading out there later this week to visit and help them in any way we can as they are working towards a fall launch.

I also added a couple sites that are humor takes on Christian culture: Jesus Needs New PR and Stuff Christians Like. I guess I’m a bit cynical because I tend to think these two guys nail it most often.

What sites am I missing? Let me know what you’ve been reading lately…

everyman jack

So this is a random post. I use Everyman Jack products each day…face scrub, face wash, shaving cream, face lotion. What can I say…I like my grooming products! Well tonight I signed up for their Everyman Jack contest…mainly because I’ll get a coupon for a free product. So not only do I like my grooming products…I like free stuff too. Later this summer, they will have voting for the winner…who will get a year’s worth of products. I’ll send you there then to vote for me!

simple church at rcc…

I mentioned a while back that our staff and leadership are reading together Simple Church. We’ve finished it now and are taking a hard look at things here at RCC…refining what we do and why we do it. It going to be a process for us…but I look forward to what God is going to do in us and through us as we sharpen our focus on helping people grow in their faith.

The Christian Standard has an issue devoted to the topic of Simple Church. They interviewed me as we were in the process…you can read the interview here.

music I’m listening to…

Just thought I would share some music that is constantly playing in my car and in my itunes…

Mat Kearney – City of Black and White – this came out last week and I’m loving it. He’s incredibly talented and creative…

Kari Jobe – she’s from Gateway Church and this cd is an addicting. Revelation Song is by far my favorite song on here…but give You Are For Me a listen as well…

The Fray – this one has been out for a couple of months…but I keep putting it back in the cd player in my car. Love it!

Hillsong United – A Cross//The Earth – ok, so this one just came out today and I haven’t listened to it yet…but anything from Hillsong United is good!

So tell me..what are you listening to right now that I should too?