17th
It has begun
Most of the ice and snow have melted in NE Wisconsin allowing spring to do its warming work and my sabbatical has begun. Week one has been a flurry of travel, ideas, prayer, preparations, and an antenna installation.
Sabbatical 2008 began pre-dawn in a car with two fellow youth workers driving to Willow Creek’s student ministries conference, Shift. Speakers included Brian McLaren, Shane Claiborne, and Mark Yaconelli (Mike’s son who has worked on contemplative youth ministry practices)
The conference provided three intense days of ideas, discussions, and hearty laughter. What stood out most of all were the recurring themes of spiritual disciplines, justice, service, missional living, and missional church communities. It was about students, but it was also about our culture, the church, and the major shifts that are happening in how we relate and do ministry.
There was great music from Jon Foreman of Switchfoot and a tribal worship band called the Psalters (find their facebook page for a taste) who is touring with Shane Claiborne this summer