San Diego

Sorry I'm just getting to this blog for my faithful readers! It's hard to believe the whirlwind that has been the last couple of days...as soon as church was done Sunday (9 more baptisms by the way) we headed to Baxter's for Mother's Day brunch with my two favorite moms (my wife and my mom)with the boys (their gift to Sara was their presence:-) and then to the airport to head to San Diego for a retreat with our pastoral leadership team. We arrived at around 1:30 a.m. B?N time so we were tired, but we hit it early Monday to begin our annual look and listening to the Spirit concerning the vision statement at Eastview: Fearless Church of Christ followers whose ridiculous love and dangerous witness are irresistible. We have had some great prayer time and time in the Word along with sharpening and challenging each other with many thoughts and impressions from Scripture and culture on how to carry out this vision that God has entrusted to Eastview...it has been amazing...it has been overwhelming...it has been inspiring...it has been humbling...What might God do if we faithfully live out the truth of His Word and inspire, invite, and lead others to come along!? Only God knows. Yesterday afternoon, we had a rare opportunity to travel to Northcoast church where Larry Osbourne pastors a church of 8,500. He is understands church leadership at a very high level (author of Sticky Teams - check it out). He graciously gave us 3 hours of his Monday afternoon to talk ministry, church, preaching, outreach, etc... with him. I was moved by his accesibility and sacrifice of time. Why do we regularly take retreats as leaders of the church? Well, it goes back to the illustration I used Sunday. Retreats are the mountain top views of ministry that help us solidify our spiritual bearings. I shared how in many survivor shows as they are navigating the terrain, the adventurers always take advantage of a high place so that they can make out the entire landscape. This view gives them an idea of where to go and where not to go. Their future steps are determined from this height. Leadership retreats are the same way...as leaders we try to catch a glimpse of what the entire Kingdom of God and how the Holy Spirit is leading Eastview as a part of that. Our vision at this level allows us to plan ministry for the upcoming year. Very important stuff and I'm privileged to be a part of it. Pray for God to speak to us as only He can in a variety of ways.