May 2008
42 posts
Out of Narnia - Thanks - Soli Deo Gloria
This week concluded my sabbatical time. In some ways it felt like visiting Narnia. I stepped out of my regular work life and rhythms into an adventure and just as suddenly stepped back out with seemingly no time gone by. Seven weeks was wonderful. Long enough to slow down and reflect, but short enough to not lose my enthusiasm. Like a great salad bar, I was able to taste and enjoy a variety...
Visited the Gathering at Wooddale
My brother Dan’s church offers an electic worship experience, using the weekend sermon. A cool environment and atmosphere.
The Gathering - at Wooddale →
Visited Substance Church
On the recommendation of Tony Dunham, I checked out the church he attends when he is at Bethel. I was able to worship first service then sit for an hour with Carolyn, and associate pastor and the senior pastor, Peter’s wife. She shared their story and core values that drive Substance Church. Anti-spectator and are committed to creating a culture of connection - they tell everyone you must...
Substance Church Website →
Link to Holly's music and website →
A book I'm reading on Humility →
“Humility, the place of entire dependence on God, is, fromt he very nature of...”
– Andrew Murray, Humility
“The subjects we teach are large and complex as life…The students we teach...”
– Parker Palmer, The Courage to Teach
Which cabin you ask?
Okay, it wouldn’t be a Mike story if something didn’t go wrong. I don’t try to make this go awry, but I’m pretty sure its genetic. Not thirty minutes after I told the blog I was in Ripon, I travelled out to the cabin (10:30ish). As I pulled up to the dark cabin and started to unload, I heard a dog bark and a light came on inside. I rechecked my confirmation letter and,...
A book I'm reading on leadership and personal... →
At the Cabin
It Tuesday night and I’m out at the cabin in Ripon for a few more days of prayer, reading, writing, and reflecting. Actually I’m parked behind subway snaggin’ free WIFI and listening to the Cubs on my grainy AM radio.
I miss my church family
Sabbatical has taught me this. I miss my church family. It has been good to see the Kingdom of God being expressed in different places in different ways. But as this extended time away continues and my pile of not-my-church bulletins grows, I feel the tug of our unique and truly amazing church body. I especially miss the laughter and off-beat style. I know that being in a community is clumsy...
“When all the pieces come together, not only does your work move toward...”
– Jim Collins, from Good to Great
“I have seen and spoken to men and women making a difference in God’s church. ...”
– Thom Rainer from Breakout Churches.
“The body of Christ was alive, no longer trapped in stained-glass windows or...”
– Shane Claiborne commenting on when he and other college students had joined and served the homeless in an abandoned cathedral in North Philadelphia - from The Irresistible Revolution
A favorite site of mine for doing a simple... →
A link to Calvin Miller's books, art, and messages →
Reading and Recommending
It is a known fact that I love to read. I usually read a number of books at the same time, not unlike working your way around a good meal. I love quality non-fiction most of all. I love to read on a wide range of topics. one of my favorite things to do is recommend good books. Go ahead and ask!
A book I'm reading on the art of persuasion →
A book I'm reading on teaching →
A book I'm reading on church leadership →
A books I'm reading on following Jesus -... →
A book I'm reading on how to keep spiritual... →
Back home
Tuesday night I arrived back in Little Chute. I am now deeply immersed in home life and continue reading. Linda’s uncle is not doing well after back surgery. She left Thursday to go visit him with her sister and parents. As I’m the Collison homeschool principal, I’ve had to get a sub to cover for Linda - me. I never studied rhetoric in high school, but am enjoying learning it...
Lunch with Barry
On Monday, I had lunch with Barry the sr. pastor at New City Fellowship. They are deeply immersed in the struggles of their community. Their church offices are right in the dicey neighborhood where they serve. Question: How would our ministry change if we had church offices were near downtown? Just before I arrived three old vehicles in their fenced lot had their catalytic converters cut off....
Samford wrap up
Did my exit interview, turned in receipts, and went to a class on evangelism and church growth. Always invigorating.
More writing
I spent the day doing re-writes on all that we went through on Wednesday, plus wrote a new chapter. The coaching has given me some imortant questions to consider as I write. I’ve got about 86 finished pages. The working title is Collision! Rising New from the Head-On Wreckage of Life I ate dinner at the tricked out Samford cafeteria and then spent time burning some of it back off at the...
April 2008
43 posts
Sunday Hike and Monday Missional Interview
Sunday, Linda and I went to find a hidden waterfall. We had a nice two hour hike, but were unable to find it on a vast wild life area. (I forgot the directions). We just cruised around alot around the area. Monday - Linda volunteered to give up her seat and scored a $400 voucher. So she hung out an extra day. I spent an hour and a half interviewing the pastor of a 54 year old traditional...
“(Our spirtual calling) - The place where God calls you to is the place where...”
– Frederick Buechner
