Today was a lot of riding in a bus. We have headed north to the very farthest point on our pilgrimage. It was fun visiting with the other people on the trip and hearing some of their stories. Our youngest pilgrim is a 20 year old college student who is taking this journey with her dad. Our oldest, I think, is a hospital chaplain who hopes she passes her Board of Ordained Ministry paperwork before her 72nd birthday. I am enjoying all the shared ideas and stories about ministry all across the country. I discovered that the guy from Missouri knows Hank and Joy and his wife was commissioned at the ceremony I attended for Hank. Small Methodist world. I have made friends and am enjoying this time of spiritual renewal.
I didn’t think I was going to have much to say about today but then we heard our speaker and he was amazing. His name is Phil Meadows and he has a website called inspiremovement.org. He pushed us to considered doing the Christian life for real. He challenged us to let go of the events and “programs” that fill our calendars and focus on discipleship making and accountability. He also told us that our people are hungry for a life with value and meaning-even those who have been in church most of their lives but have somehow managed not to fall in love with Jesus. I took four pages worth of notes and am excited to return and plan some visioning for our new church as we look forward to our second year of ministry. I think this presentation is the most valuable thing I have done on this trip so far. I can’t wait to share it with you all when I get back!
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