The Devil Is In The Details

In the comments section of my last post Now Tell Us How You Really Feel, a reader asked about some of the details of my transition from the field back to the United States. In the past, I haven't written as much about these sorts of details; partly to protect ...

What We Are Afraid Of

Fear is a powerful thing. It can cause us to do some very irrational things. Of all the threats that we face on a daily basis, we put more time, money, and effort into protecting ourselves from things that we find very scary, whether they are likely to happen to ...

The Least Of These

So there's a homeless guy that you see around town pretty often. One day, he approaches you on the street, asking for money. You compassionately give him a couple bucks.You know, the "least of these" and all that.The very next day, you see that same homeless guy sitting on ...

Nothing To See Here, Folks…

We often have people express interest in coming for a visit to "see" our ministry. Some are church planters from the States, some are pastors of existing churches, some are missionaries in other places. We've had seminary students write papers on us, journalists write articles about us, and at least ...

Missions 2.0

How are you involved in international missions? In the past, mission agencies gave you three options: pray, give, or go. Hopefully, you're doing at least one of these things.I'd like to invite you to a fourth way to participate in what God is doing around the world. You may not ...

Awkward Silence

We're always looking for opportunities to interact with people here. I think one of the neatest things is how God continues to bring us to people who are willing to interact with us on a deeper level despite the fact that we are foreigners. One weekend not long ago, we ...

Churched Out

Lately it seems that everyone I talk to is tired of church. Some are actively involved- teaching Sunday School, attending Bible Studies, even leading worship. Others have given up church altogether, opting instead for isolated and lonely personal ministries outside any organized body of believers.These people are not where they ...

It’s Really Quite Difficult

Sometimes when I talk to people about missional/relational ministry and church planting (you know, as opposed to program-oriented, attractional, subculture growth), and what my work here in Western Europe looks like, they are left with the question:"So you get paid to hang out with people and drink coffee?""Yes," I reply. ...

A New Field of Service

So here I am- a continent, three cultures, and two months since my last post. A lot has changed. For starters, I'm still working with the IMB. Our regional leadership has been a tremendous support as we've begun the "About Europe" meetings and worked to launch the Upstream Collective. My ...

The UpStream Collective

Several people have asked about what's next for me. The truth is, I don't know. I still don't know what I'm going to do for a living after we arrive in the U.S. Sure it sounds irresponsible and immature to up and leave a perfectly good job and regular paycheck ...

The Only Thing Harder Than Arriving? Leaving.

I'm not the sensitive emotional type. I never cry at weddings. I hate romantic comedies. I think that pictures of babies in flower pots should be considered cruelty. I don't save souvenirs, birthday cards, or mementos. As I pack up to leave the field, I'm experiencing this strange sensation- emotion. ...

The Devil Is In The Details

In the comments section of my last post Now Tell Us How You Really Feel, a reader asked about some of the details of my transition from the field back to the United States. In the past, I haven't written as much about these sorts of details; partly to protect ...
May 6th 2008
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Now Tell Us How You Really Feel

I'd like to thank everyone who's sent emails and comments in support of our move. I'm not sure what it means when people seem to be glad you're leaving, but I'm going to take it as an encouragement. One thing that many people are asking is whether I'm going to really ...

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