2 Goals…2 tired to start 2day.

Things are going well in the Willis-land for the most part.  I’ve been totally wiped out physically from heat exhaustion (too much outside fun and excitement!), and Katrina is inundated with tasks from work.  I suppose things are going well anyway…

This morning I was talking to a friend about my hopes for this summertime.  So often summers are great chances to relax, as well as a good chance to get a nice-sized project finished.  I’m working on a few this summer, but I find my tendency is to end up doing a lot less than initially hoped for.   So I figure if I write a few of them up on my blog, maybe they’ll stick a bit!

First goal: I want to get to know the “fingerprint of Abilene”.  There are a few groups of people that I know well.  I know the WASP (White, Anglo Saxon, Protestant) group too well.  I am getting to know the homeless and near-homeless crowd by proxy.  I am finding ties into the Alcoholics Anonymous groups that meet in this city…but I know there are many more.  What makes people in a West Texas town tick?  What brings them great joy?  What fears and concerns do they have?  Are they anywhere close to a family of faith that is trying to live as Christ to them?

This goal will take comarades.  There are a few of us partnering in this, but I really want to hear from a few others; and for it to become an intentional “as we go” sort of thing.  What would it be like to truly know the spiritual needs of a person…a neighborhood…a city?  One guy obviously can’t get his mind around it, and it would be too much to do even if he could.   For me, this goal is all about keeping our eyes open to new, different people; hearing their hearts; and sharing needs with others who care.
Second goal: Learn about how I fit in a true, family of faith.  It is not a simple flick of a switch to go from fully head-on institutional-minister-man to assuming the simple, humble roll as a brother in Christ.  Our house church that is beginning to gain some new life and purpose is learning to live this way together, and I must see that as a primary goal of mine this summer!  I want to know what it is like to be covered in prayer by others, to be affirmed, held accountable, and to be sent out in mission…and then I want to tell others about it!

This is going to take regular, meaningful interaction on my part with these friends, some of which are making similar paradigm shifts in their understanding of church.  It will take a spirit of learning on my part from my AA brother who seems to have caught this “organic” vision more than any of us.  It will take a spirit of bravery to continue to invite others to join us, and still more bravery to prepare and send several of us out to plant another church in a new context.

Summers always have great potential.  I hope to do some of these exciting things, but right now – just thinking about it makes me exhausted.  Maybe its just the heat.

Share