Monday, June 29, 2009

Thoughts From Vail

This past week was the annual Acts 29 retreat for pastors and their wives. It is a real retreat - a get away - not a conference. The A-29 leadership set the majority of time aside for us as 'free time' - time to spend with our spouse, time to spend with other church planters. So here are a few thoughts from the week away:

* The Acts 29 church planting network is, without a doubt in my mind, the best church planting network around - not because we have the most churches or the most money - but because we are a network of churches centered on the gospel, not on politics, denominations, or specific methods.

* There is an indescribable bond that exists between church planters. Friendship, prayer, conversation... - it all comes easy because we are all in a great work together.

* Church planting is hard. That is probably why the bond that exists between planters comes so easily. For those who see A-29 and church planting as cool, or hip, or who see the quick success of some and desire to be a church planting 'rock star' I would strongly, STRONGLY say - if there is anything else you can do - ANYTHING - DO IT.

* We need more churches, therefore we need more church planters.

* A week away with my wife is a must. Work and children alone come with enough demands on a marriage - add 24 hours a day, 7 days a week of being on call to God only knows how many hours of work to the equation and the week becomes a MUST.

* Riding a mountain bike down double black diamond trails in the Rocky Mountains is amazingly fun.

These are just a few