A Look Back

During our staff meeting today we were asked to reflect on 2009... specifically in any areas where God was active. As I look back I can think of several key areas where God has impacted me. My life has changed dramatically in many ways this year, but God has been there throughout the entire realm of new experiences. I am so thankful for the challenges of life because they have presented opportunities for me to grow as a follower of Christ. The following are some random thoughts about moments that were significant to me throughout the course of 2009.

Overture I: In January I officially started the DMin program at BGU by heading to Seattle for two weeks of intense urban studies and field expriences. I heard over 40 lectures during that time, and we spent hours learning in the hands on environments of the streets. During that course I began to build the foundation of transformational leadership which I carried back with me to Pittsburgh.

The Move: After studying the incarnational leadership model in Seattle, Julie and I finally decided to take the urban plunge and move into the Homewood neighborhood of Pittsburgh. Our urban adventure has had many ups and downs, but we have learned to seek God in the midst of unpredictable circumstances. We've been able to build strong relationships with people. Most of all, God has shown up for us in ways that people who live comfortably can only imagine or read about in books. God wants us to depend upon Him, and God cares deeply for the poor. We are learning so much!

Overture II: At the end of last summer Julie and I had to opportunity to go to Costa Rica and Mexico City for the second course in the DMin program. I learned so much through this exprience! As an example, Julie and I spent some time with a church group who ministered to prostitutes at night on the streets of San Jose. That group modeled for us how to demonstrate Christ's love effectively to people who are caught up in the lifestyle of prostitution. Although that experience greatly stretched my comfort zone, that knowledge has carried over for Julie and I and we recently had the opportunity to minister to a prostitute in Homewood. God is so amazing to plant a seed in us in a foreign country that we were able to utilize months later on the streets of our own neighborhood.

Externally Focused: In March and September I had the chance to travel to Dallas for the final two externally focused leadership communities at the Leadership Network. Those meetings helped to fuel my passion for mobilizing North Way to get outside the walls of our church to connect with people in need. Those meetings have yielded great fruit as I have had to opportunity to train multiple staff members and lay leaders in the fine art of leading our church to become externally focused. We still have a long way to go, but I believe that God is moving in this area at the church. We are making an impact in Pittsburgh!

I could go on about the many unique expriences from 2009, but I guess I should just read my blog entries from this past year to find out the full scoop on what happened... freezie pops, the urban chorus, the book reports, and so much more. The point is that I have a lot interesting things that I will be reflecting on as I enter into 2010. Do you have interesting things to reflect on? Were there any big things that you wish you had taken the chance on last year? Will you in 2010?