Gone Fishin'

Well, sorta.

I’ve mentioned it before, but from July 1-31 I’ll be taking a Digital Sabbatical/Sabbath. This means NO blogging, IMing, Cellphone for July. The main reason is because I just need a break. I have been working on computers so much these past several years that I just really would like to go through some days without staring at a screen. I think my brain needs a break!

Beyond that, it will be something of a spiritual discipline in abstinance and learning to function in the analog world again for a bit.

The one drawback (or so I thought) to this was that I have 3 weeks of Cisco Networking training (obviously on the computer!). It started today, so 2 of the weeks will be during July. So this is kinda an exception to the sabbatical – sorta. The more I reflect on this thing it seems to me that the sabbath is more from connecting thru the computer than actually being on the computer (though this is part of it too).

In other words, I need to dial down. I’m a network by nature. I love connecting people (and stuff). Its a good thing, but it can spread me thin and I really need to kinda mentally/emotionally/spiritually “stay home”. This means taking a break from the World Wide Web. What I’m discovering today – on my first day of training – is that this will help me in my studying too.

I’m finding that this Cisco networking stuff is very much like Greek and Music Theory – complex systems of “language” – ways of organizing and inter-connecting information and ways of meaning. I LOVE this stuff!!! Its the geek in me I suppose. But it really gets me excited! So, 2 realizations:

1. It uses parts of my brain that otherwise are dormant. I love learning and I very much believe that any learning – especially complex systems (like language or systems) require deep learning that is stimulating my brain/mind. I believe this will make me a better teacher, leader, pastor, friend, etc…. I want to continue learning throughout my life for this very reason.

2. Because this requires “deep learning”, I really need to focus and study study study. I have about 4 hours of work to do tonight and then 6 hours of training each day for the next three weeks. So this may be my last blog entry till August! I need to focus.

So….. I’ll be back. I will begin blogging, emailing, IMing, and cellphoning again August 1st. But until then I’ll be here – in good ol’ Cincy – studying, learning, reading, and (after the training is over) working on our basement (still refinishing it) and hanging out with family and friends. I can be reached on my home phone (feel free to call).

Peace to you. Much Peace.

And so it ends

In 3 minutes my tenure at P&G ends. I’ve been here – as a temp/contractor – for a year and a half. I was supposed to be here 2 weeks. Funny how God has different plans…

I find myself on the verge of tears – which is odd because I’ve looked forward to this day for a long time. I am excited about being a “real” employee and not a temp/contractor, having health benefits, and all that that entails. But I’ve grown to love the people I have worked with here in the 4N’s of the Historic Wing. They’ve wound their way down into my heart and they will not be forgotten.

I’ve learned alot here. I’ve learned about business and the corporate world – a culture wholly foreign to me 1.5 years ago. I’ve learned about Innovation, Networks, Open Source, and all manner of things R&D. And I’ve learned about cool new technologies, software, and widgets and wizgigs and whatsits. And more than all that I’ve learned about people – the quirks that make them human and the joy (and challenge) of working with them.

May God bless this place of my leaving – this keyboard where I type, the windowless walls, the computer gadgets I’ve installed (oh, please keep working…), and especially bless these people. Their comings and goings, their families and responsibilities, their tasks and their thoughts/prayers/meditations/wishes/dreams.

A season ends… a new one is birthing. Next week I start 3 weeks of Cicsco CCNA training for my new job at Cincinnati Christian Schools. After that I have two weeks off where I’ll work on our basement (we’re refinishing it), organize my attic office, and hang out with family and friends. August 1st (my Mom’s birthday) I start at the school and I begin this world of work all over again. I’m excited. It will be fun to see what God has instore in this new season. What lessons will I learn? What joys and challenges wait ahead?

But right now I’m kinda sad.

Sad, but hopeful. And very very very Thankful.

St. Anthony at the Hermitage retreat

St. Anthony at the Hermitage retreat
Originally uploaded by Kevin Rains.

Mr. Urban Monastic – Kevin Rains himself – is now on Flickr. All statues of Saints, sunsets, and ATVs beware the deft click of Kevin’s Canon.

Cheapskate or I love/hate money

UGH! I need to vent. We “bounced a check” again (except it wasn’t a check, but a debit card purchase, but anyway). I am so frustrated. I’m tired of being so tight on funds. We knew that moving into this house would stretch us initially and that Sarah would need to work for this to work… well she’s going to … but doesn’t start till August. And my last day at P&G is Friday and then we have 5 weeks of very very strict frugality. I’ll be in training for 3 of those 5 and will make a small amount, but not nearly enough.

** By the way – I’m hesitant to share all this. I have this voice in my head that says that money matters (and politics) should be kept quiet and not shared openly. Well, I think that’s hogwash and b***s***, if we can’t talk about this kinda thing then it creates all sorts of opportunity for deception and stupidness. Anyway, I think its best to keep these things respectfully out in the open as much as possible.

So, I’m irritated. Not really that we don’t make enough money to cover the bills. That will take care of itself once we start our new jobs (we won’t be rolling in the do’, but it will cover the expenses). What I’m really really really irritated at is myself. I’m pissed that I/we haven’t been more careful with our spending. Not that we’ve been running up thousands of dollars on credit cards. No, we only have one and its an AmEx that we pay off each month. But we’ve been less than careful and have dipped into savings more than we would have liked.

What I’m really concerned about… what is really grating on my soul is my attitude. My lack of stewardship, my wander-lust about stuff, things, digits in my bank account. I’m tired of living this way. I want to live a simple life. I want to spend less – not make more. Heck, I’d be happy with a simplistic life! I don’t like how money and things control me. How I so easily let myself be moved by such things.

I need to hear these words from a Wise Sage:

A Cheapskate:

- Does not spend more money that he/she earns, no matter how desperate or tempting the situation might appear.

- Has a spirit of generosity, regularly sharing money, time, and other resources with people in need.

- Lives honestly and ethically, regardless of the temptation to do otherwise in order to get a better deal.

- Saves at least 10 percent of all income.

- Does not buy compulsively but makes intelligent and well-thought-out choices.

- Lives within a financial plan that includes a margin to allow for fun and spontaneity.

Book Meme Infection

I’ve been infected by Pete Sherry. See Crawling Off The Altar: Book Meme Infection

Book Meme Infection
1. Total number of books I’ve owned
I have no idea….. 6 book cases worth.

2. Last book I bought
Courage to Teach – Parker Palmer

3. Last book I read
Prayer is a Place – Phyllis Tickle

4. Five books that mean a lot to me
1. Out of Solitude – H. Nouwen
2. Servant Leaders, Servant Structures – O’Connor
3. Missional Church – D. Guder
4. Foolishness of the Greeks – L. Newbigin
5. Life of the Beloved – H. Nouwen

5. People I will infect with this meme
Kevin Rains, Chris Marshall, Bill Bean, Steve Taylor, Paul Fromont, DJ Chuang, Dave Fleming

a Quiz worth taking

No, this isn’t another Quiz Farm quiz. Its from Scot McKnight of Jesus Creed (the blog and the book). Check it out – Jesus Creed: Spiritual Formation Test.

My Wife the Pastor, or Diversity in Leadership, or Why are tall white guys with college educations so often church leaders, or Its Friday and I'm glad

Hum….

I guess the title kinda says it. “My Wife the Pastor, or Diversity in Leadership, or Why are tall white guys with college educations so often church leaders, or Its Friday and I’m glad”

But really.

My Wife the Pastor – I don’t blog a ton about my family. There are probably good and bad reasons for that, but just in case you aren’t aware MY WIFE ROCKS. Not only is she a great wife, friend, lover, but she is also a wonderful mom (or “mamma” as Cloey says). Cloey is already growing up fast at 19.5 months of age. We can already see a depth of compassion, joy, people-loving, and sensitivity in her that will blossom someday into an amazing adult woman (presently she’s an amazing toddler).

But I really want to say is that my wife is a pastor. She has been ordained by a thousand phone calls and emails of friends who need her listening ear. Last night she spent 3 hours on the phone with a friend that she hasn’t talk to in 3 years and was in need of some serious pastoral care – the kinda that only Sarah could give.

Which got me thinking. Well, that’s not true. I must confess. I’ve been thinking about this for a while. Why are so many leaders of churches tall-white-male-middleclass-college-educated-(goatee-optional-but-preferred-tatoo-very-optional-but-indicator-of-true-pomo/emerg___-status). I’m not the first, nor the most articulate, to notice. Somebody else did a while back, but I don’t remember where.

Anyway. The point is there are probably lots of really cogent sociological/cultural/spiritual/emotional reasons for the fact. Not that they are good or bad, they are just explanations. But I really don’t care too much at the moment about them. I don’t really need to understand it. What I do want is to move beyond it.

And I’m not talking about the National Church. I’m not talking about Emergent or VineyardUSA or whatever. Those may be important, but that’s somebody else’s deal. I’m talking about VC.

Vineyard Central.

I’d love to see us as a Community of Faith – a People of God – to have a beautifully diverse leadership with people of both genders and several races/ethnicities/cultures/socio-economies at the table.

But here’s the problem. I’m not allowed to say that. I’m really not. Because it is just some tall-white-middleclass-college-educated-male sounding Politically Correct, Culturally Relevant, and/or (at the very worst) me asserting my subsummed dominance as a person-o-privelege over the less fortunate (whatever that means) so as to assimilate them into MY power-structure.

I’m not allowed to say it because, well, I’m not credible.

But I don’t know whatelse to say.

I don’t want this diversity as a means for cultural-superiority, political-(or eccelsial/ecumenical)-correctness, or cultural-relevance to a pluralistic world. (remember, I can’t say that… or this) What I do want is a Wholistic Body of Christ. I want my community to be strong, vibrant, colorful, healthy, and fertile. We do that best when we are not just listening-to, but deeply informed/influenced by persons of diversity that are joined in Christ.

We can’t do this thing alone and we need to hear (and obey) the Spirit’s whisper that comes through others and the other and The Other. But I don’t know how to get there.

I don’t know how to get there without being pedantic (a new favorite word of mine). I don’t know how to get there authentically.

Diversity for diversity’s sake? No.

Diversity for my sake. I need the other. I can’t be me without it.

Oh, and its SO Friday.

Cloey's House

Cloey’s House
Originally uploaded by aaronklinefelter.

It really is amazing what packing tape and cardboard can create. But even more amazing is what fun toddlers can have with daddy’s inventions.

Yahoo! Calendar – aaron_klinefelter

Trying out something new. Check out my calendar – http://calendar.yahoo.com/aaron_klinefelter.

Now you know what I’m up to.

Jesus Creed: What Should Pastors Read?

Blogging Theologians! What a concept! Check out this great post by Scot McKnight – Jesus Creed: What Should Pastors Read?.

I’d probably tweak his list a bit, but apart from that here’s what I’d add:

7. Read some blogs.

…. (here’s how I’d expand this) Here are some recommendations on which blogs to read.

- Read some of the blogging forebearers

Andrew Jones, Alan Creech, Karen Ward, Jonny Baker, Jordon Cooper, etc… they have been doing this for a while and that often comes through in the thoughtfulness of their writing.

- Read equal parts male and female bloggers

I find this very helpful. The blogging culture started out as male-oriented (probably becuz it was originally geek-oriented and that is typically male-oriented).

- Read the bloggers in your church

This is so important! Not to keep “tabs” on people but to listen in on people’s real life’s, their heart, their interests, their frustrations… Likewise, and this might take more digging, but if you have youth in your community who blog DEF. read them. I’ve been regularly amazed at their insights.

- Read the bloggers in your tradition

I grew up UMC and reading bloggers like Jay Voorhes helps me keep up with my heritage. While now I’m in a Vineyard church and keeping up with is helpful too. Of course, its also a good idea to read folks in OTHER traditions as it will stimulate and broaden one’s thinking. Reading (or listening to podcasts like The Catholic Insider) blogs from Catholic, Orthodox, Baptist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, etc…. perspectives have helped me appreciate their theology and praxis all the more.

*** And of course, use a RSS reader/aggregator (like NewsGator) to read all these, it makes it much much easier to keep up. (Oh, yeah you should really read Next-Wave too – Charlie does a great job being a human aggregator of really good emerging church stuff.)

8. Read stuff that isn’t “Christian” and gives a sense of the pulse of the culture. Wired Magazine has been this for me lately. But Newsweek and BusinessWeek to some extent too. Bookwise Douglas Coupland is always good. I also continue to find great cultural insights from Science Fiction, authors like Arthur C. Clarke and Neal Stephenson.