Weekly Worship Gathering

This week at our VC Weekly Worship Gathering (WWG) I captured a good chunk of it on my audio recorder.

Download here (49 min, 23 MB)

I left in a couple of what I believe are original VC songs (someone feel free to correct me and/or tell me who wrote these), the Lectionary scripture reading by Julie, Becca, Nathan, and Kevin, and Kevin’s proclaiming, and my liturgy leading for Eucharist. Its a bit rough, but you can tell what is said and happening.

It feels good to be doing this weekly…. like we’re getting into the swing (or rhythm) of things. A consistency that is very good for my soul, our family, and our community as a whole. “A long obedience in the same direction”… that has been on my mind a lot of late and I truly feel that is what we’re attempting to do at VC.

Next week I’m going to try some Godly Play with the age 4+ kids. I am very eager to see us get real good (I really mean that and believe that we can) about spiritually forming the lives of the littlest among us. Primarily in our homes, and then supporting and continuing that in our house churches, worship gatherings, etc….

Jay Voorees article :: Alban CONGREGATIONS Magazine

Alban CONGREGATIONS Magazine: Article
“Recently, the world has begun to tilt and wobble out of the control of those who would attempt to define orthodoxy among the masses. The rise of Internet blogs, self-produced “podcasts,” and “open source” media are signs that point to a world in transition, a world that can no longer be what it has been in the past. This change is proceeding rapidly, and if the church functions as it has in the past, it may find itself at the margins of relevancy, a crusty old anachronism to be experienced with nostalgia rather than engagement.”

You are NOT inadequate.

You are NOT inadequate.

Yeah but I feel that way.

I feel partial
I feel “not enough”
I feel less than necessary
I feel
I feel
I feel
I feel.

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Goals for 2006(7)

Financial Gains:
(I hesitated to put “Gains”, but I think that is my own dysfunction and brokenness, not real humility)
– Debt reduction
– Contingency fund increase
– Retirement savings

Worship Development:
(Can worship develop? I sure hope so!! I want to see VC growing as a worshiping community)
– 4-5 Active Liturgy Teams planning weekly worship gatherings

Spiritual Formation of VC children:
(What is our Catechesis process for children? How do we nurture our whole community – ages 0 on up?)
– Progress toward a Robust and Wholistic Spiritual Formation of Children within VC
– Godly Play implemented

Household Improvements:
– Windows for our house
– Finished Basement: mud, paint, trim, carpet, electrical

Continuing Education:
– Take two (or more) classes toward my Masters in Crosscultural Studies (at Fuller)
– Continued technology learning
– How can I learn more about Education?
– Attend one Education Technology Conference

Local Earth-Care:
– Find a need
– Fill a need

Three Looks of a Leader

Carson Palmer – the out of the way qb
A few weeks ago I was reading in a local Cincinnati magazine an article about Bengals QB, Carson Palmer. I was struck by his humility, “down-to-earthiness”, and “ordinary-i-ness”. I was also taken by a something he said, “I’m not the most important player on the field”. Now, this may seem ironic and maybe even wrong given the recent events vis-a-vie Pittsburg. But honestly I think that has more to do with the synergy of the team and, perhaps, the inability of some individuals. So, with that withstanding…. here’s my point:

The look of a leader is one who does not consider him or herself to be the King-of-the-Hill, the Top Dog, the greatest thing since sliced bread, da bomb, or the most important player.

The leader makes others better. The leader creates context, environment, and atmosphere where others grow, change, and become. The leader gets out of the way so the team can be the team and reach its goal.

Aragorn - the singing, bowing king
…. so I haven’t had time to write on this one… watch LOTR. All three actually, but ROTK specifically. Aragorn’s coronation moves me to tears everytime. Especially the sense of humility, honor, and vulnerability that he displays.

Andy Kunkel – the vulnerable youth
So, I’m at our Chrysalis meeting. (Chrysalis is the youth version of Emmaus which is the Protestant version of Catholic Cursillo) And this high school senior, Andy Kunkel, does this talk on “Christian Action”. And he blows me away. No, actually – he blows all of us away. Is he the most eloquent, not necessarily, but he is no-holds-barred vulnerable. He is open, passionate, and present. I sense that the Holy Spirit is birthed within him. Like that youth named David that God mentions a couple times in the Bible. He looks like a leader.

The look of a leader is one who lets the voice of the Spirit seep through the cracks in our self-imposed prison of safety. The leader is one who is vulnerable, open, and willing to let the emotions of the heart be shown on the face. When tears are allowed and brokenness is accepted. It is in our weakness that God is strong. It is in our brokeness that we can be used.

Andy embodied this real well. Even though he’s only a senior in high school he was not intimidated by the older men in the room. He was present to the strength of the Spirit. He has wisdom and maturity beyond his years. I sense that God has something really cool in store for him.

Many things… Much Thankfulness

So…..

Cloey has a cold and has been coughing off and on and waking up

Sarah and I are watching (slowly, due to #1) a documentary on the Brooklyn Bridge.

Which my Grandfather used in his homily at our wedding 7.5 years ago.

That reminds me of my Uncle Andrew. He died last night.

I’ve been asked to do the funeral on Monday. It is a high honor.

All of which reminds me of my family – nuclear and extended – both of which I cherish and love dearly.

That reminds me of the Body of Christ and how a one Luke D. blessed our little family with a generous and timely gift.

And that induces thankfulness.

Thankfulness for pig-tails on 2 year olds.

Thankfulness for a community of Kingdom seekers and “worshipful doers”

Thankfulness for worship “services” (even if I don’t like that word!)

Thankfulness for men of faith

Thankfulness for women of perseverance

Thankfulness for pastors, preachers, and patient people

Thankfulness for youth and students, learners and teachers

Thankfulness for Fridays and Mondays

Thankfulness for bridges

Google Analytics – I need a hook up

Can anybody hook me up with a invite to Google Analytics? I’d like to use it for VineyardCentral.com and maybe this blog.

Bueller…..?

Looking… Part-Time Job

Thought I’d throw this out there…. I’m looking for a part-time job. We have some medical expenses and need to pay down debt (and up Contingency fund). Sarah and I have been talking about me working a part-time job in the evenings to do so.

Anybody got any ideas, leads, contacts?????

Network Expectations

Per a conversation with Jona Hicks yesterday regarding what a house church gets from being part of the Vineyard Central network (ie. expectations):

*** This is my off the top of my head list, please add your thoughts in the comments ***

A house church in the Vineyard Central network gets:
- Connected to other like-minded house churches
- Access the Everyone@vineyardcentral.com email list for community announcements, updates, and prayer concerns
- Leadership support, training, and equipping in the form of:
– Monthly Leadership Community meetings
– One-on-one leader to leader mentoring
– Access to the Leaders@vineyardcentral.com email list for sharing leadership concerns, issues, and stories
– Resources – books, CDs, DVDs, PDFs, web links

- Use of St. Elizabeth’s church building for gatherings, events, etc…
- Connected to a diverse, global, and ever-growing network of people who are exploring and living the Gospel in a changing social context (ie. folks outside our immediate network – Emergent leaders, House Church gurus, Missional Theologians, Pastors, Priests, Seminary Professors, and more).
- Accountability to the larger Body of Christ
- Resources for living Kingdom lives, such as books, CDs, DVDs, web links, PDFs, and relationships with other like-minded folk
- Access to leaders and expertise outside the house church – spiritual direction, mentoring, and retreats
- Opportunities for corporate spiritual disciplines beyond the house church – worship gatherings, recreation (ultimate frisbee), earth-care (community gardening), daily office prayer

Those are things that I gain by being part of the network. There are probably others and probably a way to say them all better. Your thoughts?