Staff Conference

I arrived in Johnson City, Tennessee yesterday. Johnson City is the home of WDA's annual All-staff conference... and to places like this...and yes, that is what the restaurant actually looks like.

Oh, country-bumpkin South, you are an interesting place indeed.

Yet, Johnson City has come to represent something altogether different for me. The city has come to represent a time of rest, encouragement, reunion, re-invisioning, worship, and prayer with WDA staff that I have come to dearly love. WDA's staff is comprised of veterans of ministry who know how to pray earnestly, trust courageously, love generously, speak the Word without shame, help others grow, and dream things that can only be accomplished by the power of God. These men and women have fought the good fight and come to understand that which is truly important.

Namely, one's character. As we discussed current events in our ministry, Bob, our president said, "I hate to hear about church meltdowns, but I love to hear about church meltdowns". This statement was made in reference to one of WDA's tasks: to cast a vision for discipleship. Before we blow the trumpet for disciple building, we must first convince the Church of their brokenness and need for restoration. This stance, we realize, wins us few friends but we believe "faithful are the wounds of a friend" and preach nonetheless. Sometimes, church meltdowns do the preaching for us: character is exposed and the need for Christlike maturity in the Church is felt.

While I'm saddened that crisis and dissension in the body often reveal the importance of "presenting every man mature"-- I rejoice if such a crisis births a renewed effort to genuinely shepherd, lead, and teach the people of God.

Being here with our staff also makes me so grateful to be a part of a group who understands the importance of Christlike character in the Kingdom-- "precrisis". I have been away this year and it's refreshing to be back and pray, dream, question, and fellowship.

Please pray for us this week as we update each other, pray for what God is doing in our midst, and plan for the days ahead. I am specifically asking God to provide "all wisdom and spiritual understanding" for me as I discern where to invest my time and energy in Chicago and beyond. I feel like I'm standing on the edge of many exciting opportunities and need to hear from the Lord. Pray that as I attune my heart and ear to the Spirit, I would not be anxious, but trust in the might and love of our ever-faithful God.