Having a better week than last week. We had some great friends come visit this past weekend. Brad and Missy Griffin and their adorable daughter Anna Joy (7 months old). It was a true blessing, though Sarah and I were sad to see them go. Its always kinda depressing when you have a great visit and then friends or family leave and its sorta lonely.

But generally life is good. I’ve been meeting with our Youth Ministry Team this week. There’s been an odd tension among the group, but it is slowly draining off and I think we’re soon to be back on track. Its been harder than expected to get this youth ministry started at St. David’s. I expected the youth and families to be more excited about it than has been the case. Not sure why that is….

Did attend a great conference this week. CRM d:frag about postmodern mission. It was well done and inspiring – though I’m getting tired of “postmodern”. I think I like emerging church/generations or 21st century or contemporary culture better. I’ll have to think about this some more though. Anybody have better words for what’s happening in our society presently?

I’m in an emotional funk.

Sometimes I really dislike the label of Myers-Briggs types, but sometimes it helpful to understand myself. I’m (in Myer-Briggs’ lingo) an ENFJ and I’m really “feeling” the “F” (feeling) right now! I feel so wounded and betrayed (that’s a hard word to say/type, but it’s true). Its so terribly frustrating.

I need “gardening therapy”.

What does it mean to be a pastor? It seems like that should be an easy question to answer, but I’m finding it difficult this week. What is a pastor? How am I a good pastor? How am I a not-so-good pastor? If I’m not-so-good in a particular area can I improve?

On a related note – why is it so difficult to form a team? It seems to take so long and its often so painful. I think that that (the pain) is ultimately a good thing. In fact, I’d say its probably necessary. But it’s just plain no fun when you’re in the midst. ugh….

blah, blah, blah :::: link ::::

test again.

I was doing some research for a work project (really!) and I came across this article about the X-factor in American Idol. What struck me is how easily this article could translate to the church in America. Have our means of evaluating a church (or worship leader, or pastor, or …) become as superficial as that of “Reality” TV. Are these (a sylish outfit, good grooming, good looks, stage presence, marketability) the things we look for when visiting a church? Are these the qualities that seminary professors and denomination leaders look for when recommending young people to full-time ministry/pastorate? Do we say to people in seminary, “you should be a pastor, because you are called by God AND you have great marketability and good looks and the appearance of being a positive role model”!?

Are we as the church looking for the next big thing, instead of remembering the biggest thing God has already done via the cross and the notably small way Christ came into the world?

This, of course, is not a perfect analogy and I’m not trying to make it out to be more than it is, but it caused me to think all the same (and that’s usually a good thing).

another test… aaron’s blog

Testing, testing, 1…2…3, testing…

having a frustrating day…. Every once in a while I have serious moments of doubt – am I a good leader? Will I ever be a good leader? I feel so disconnected from everyone (except my wife). It’s as though I am “place-less”. I have, or feel that I have, no place or space to feel safe and myself. It is most annoying!