I'm Moving

Well my blog is anyway. Due to my inability to use blogger at work and a few other issues, I'm going to try moving my blog to Word Press. Please check it out here - http://ragingbhull.wordpress.com.

This should allow me to get back into the blog rhythm. Please let me know what you think.

Post Modern Youth Ministry Conference

I'm thrilled to be a part of this generative and fun event. Tony Jones has been excellent in all of his stuff this week. I really appreciate the authenticity he has brought to his own presentations and that I have seen throughout the conference.

I did a seminar today on "Theology Re-imagined: Conversations in a Post-Colonial World". We walked through the definitions of colonialism and post-colonialism talking specifically about windfalls and pitfalls of each. Some great reflections and observations from people about this. We also got into some of the "so what now... how do I do this in MY context." I appreciate these questions because I know people are wrestling with real time issues in their own context. My heart also yearns for a day when we don't constantly feel like we have to be approved by the structures that be and that we can simply be comfortable doing what we know God has called us to. Now don't get me wrong, I know that there are lot's of good reasons to take into account the system and relationships you live with and work in, so I'm not discounting that wisdom. I am hoping that we can find a few others to hold hands with as we step courageously into a new expression.

Which brings me to my highlight of the week so far. NYI and NewStart (Nazarene Church Planting) brought in some folks for a day before the PMYM conference started. It was truly life giving to me to spend time with these great people. God was in our midst as we dreamed together, shared together, and created together (more coming!). On a personal level it was good to be with poeple who love the emerging church and love the Nazarene Church, like I do. On a professional level it was good to see the professionalism, the passion and the excellence with which these folks do ministry. I have been SO sick physically this week, but I made sure to drag my carcass out of bed each morning to be a part of these conversations because they are so important and so valuable to me!

Bad Blogger, Bad!

Yes, I know it's true. I've been a terrible blogger. Yes, I have a few excuses, but mostly they are lame. I will do better.

I've been up to:
- Trying to wrap up my NYC stuff. The good news is that I'm almost there. The bad news is that I'm not there. For those interested in downloads of messages keep checking here. They should appear in the next week. For those interested in the "Bible Stories Seldomly Animated" (which are hilarious!) check here and they should appear in the next two weeks.
- Planning FUEL 2008. It's going to be interactive, God focused, life changing and an incredible community encounter.
- Playing with my kids!!!
- Spending time with Carol this weekend!

I'm going to be:
- Attending and doing a couple seminars at the Postmodern Youth Ministry Conference this week. I highly recommend it! Cheap, good and great people. It's not too late and if you're in driving distance and don't come then you are cheating yourself.
- Spending time with my nose in holiness and theology books as we build this event!
- Helping out at my kids school
- Doing some teaching at Jacob's Well in youth ministry!
- Blogging more

Staying? Going? STAYING!

I'm spending the week at home with my kids... it's been great so far. Just enjoying being there for the little and big things. It's a bit of a break as I gear up for the next event and the busyness of the next year. I feel like I owe folks a peak into my mindset on staying at Nazarene Youth International (NYI) for another year.

There were some other options for my family and I but in the end we felt it best to stay here and here are some of the reasons:
- Really felt God has some more to do with us here.
- It is an opportunity to really go for some long term change in the church through these events next summer. We have an opportunity to define "holiness" within the Church of the Nazarene youth and youth pastors and it is an incredible opportunity and responsiblity. I've been reading, studying, praying and talking to all kinds of folks on this issue and will probably post more on it in chunks later, but suffice it to say this opportunity excites me!
- It is an opportunity to further the "emerging" conversation within the Nazbo world from a very local level up through Galactic HQ.
- It is an opportunity to continue working with Dave. I recognize and value the level of relationship we have and its rarity.
- It allows us to stay involved in our community at Jacob's Well.

I don't know if any of those or all of those added up make sense, but I know that God has something for us here and we will wait on Him!

Thanks to those of you who have been praying. Thanks to those of you who continue. Thanks to those of you who might start.

May the Peace of the Spirit be with you this night.
May the Peace of the Father be with you this night.
May the Peace of the Son be with you this night.
May the Peace of all Peace be with you this night.
Amen.

Fuel 2008

Some have been asking what we are going to be doing now that NYC is over. We are going to stay here in KC for another year to work on Fuel 2008, a discipleship and leadership event for High School students. We're doing four of them all in July in Nampa, Idaho; Toronto; Orlando; and LA. Should be fun!

Thanks so much to all of you who have been praying for us! We have definitely felt your prayers!

God is faithful and awesome!! A few highlights from this summer's Nazarene Youth Conference (NYC) in St. Louis that I coordinated:
- 9600 people
- 10 awesome general sessions
- built 2 Habitat for Humanity houses from foundation up in a week
- 28 St. Louis public schools renovated (and 1 community center)
- Students brought food from all over the US and Canada and fed 10,000 families with enough food for a week (that's over 40,000 people)
- 1600 children sponsored through Nazarene compassionate ministries
- over $18,000 in one-time gifts given to help children from around the world

You can check out some stories of lives changed here.

Dust Press

My friend, Alan Close, who I grew up with, has created a new series of comics called "Dust Press." The first issue (cover above) is entitled "Fire from Heaven." It is incredible! If you get a chance check it out, get a copy and share with a friend. It is a great example of people bringing Scripture to a new medium and doing it with excellence and passion.

Emerging Posters

I just stumbled on these "Motivational Posters for the Emerging Chaos" through Andrew Jones, but they are HILARIOUS!!! I'm considering the entire collection for my home and office. In a quick response check out these from Nick and Josh. And while we are tongue and cheek regarding the emerging church, please check out this new dictionary from Apologetics Index.

BACK AGAIN!

I highly doubt many if any still check this blog due to my absence for so long. A couple things contributed... First, NYC - the big ole party I threw for 9600 people (mostly high school students) in St. Louis. Second, we gave up our internet at home and have been struggling to post. I'm vowing to do better now! I have a new phone that I'm posting on now that seems like it should eliminate the "dead spots" of travel, etc.

In way of updates, I'm on the road to OKC for our weekend long party for Middle schoolers called "drive". Carol and the kids are hitting worlds of fun tomorrow and Carol's sister and family are driving through.

Thanks for those who've been praying. God has been so good and faihtful to us!