A Month of Gratitude, Day 3
November 20, 2008
When I started this series, I had a map in my mind of how I wanted to communicate all the things I’m grateful for from my time at North Point. I wanted to first go through a list of all the things I’m grateful for that have personally shaped my faith. However, I’m going to take a slight deviation from that plan to share that the third thing I’m grateful for from my time here at North Point is days like today.
I started this morning with a group of guys that meets twice a month to talk about the intersection of theology and practice. This group grew from the idea that John Hambrick and I had three years ago to meet regularly and discuss what we were learning and to discover what practical implications it had to our lives and ministries. We quickly decided to invite in some other guys into that process, and our Thursday morning group was formed. In the three years we’ve been together we’ve tackled some weighty issues: What is the kingdom of God? What is the role of women in ministry leadership? What is the value and necessary level of Biblical and theological education for volunteer leaders? What are the implications of a theistic-evolutionary view of creation? What is the future of the attractional church model, and what role will a missional mindset play in the future? (that was this morning’s topic along with our guest, Steve Hayner from Columbia Seminary) Along the way there were passionate discussions where there was (often) passionate disagreement, but the relationships were always put first. As a result, community and a deep love for one another flourished. We lost members along the way – Bob Hempen to a busy schedule, Michael Colwell to a two-year battle with cancer that ultimately claimed his life and made him first among us to get answers to the many questions we wrestled with over the years. It has been a safe place to voice questions and doubts – to learn from one another and to grow in a knowledge of God and his will for us and for his Church. These men have shaped my theology and my life more than they will ever know. I am so grateful for this time we have had and am committed to honoring this group by continuing to gather in Denver with a group of guys to continue this practice. (It helps that two members of our group are coming to Denver with me!)
After our group time, I came back to North Point where I had back-to-back meetings with two guys I love and respect deeply – John Ott (Director of our Singles’ and Men’s Community Groups) and then John Woodall (Director of Married Adult Community Groups and also the guy replacing my role as Department Director for Community Groups at the North Point campus). The first meeting with John Ott was great. What you have to know about Ott is that he is an off-the-charts idea guy. I love the way his mind is always working – always creating new ideas. We talked about the work he and some other guys within North Point Ministries have been doing to figure out how to help compel men toward intentional relationships in community. (Is there a more lofty or needed goal than to see men fully engage in the work of building the kingdom of God through the church?!?) Woodall sat in on that meeting as he will be taking responsibility from me for managing the Community Groups teams here at North Point when I leave next month. Woodall did what he does best – pressed for context, explored underlying assumptions and motivations, and helped us moved toward practical next steps. Woodall and I went to lunch for our monthly 1-1 meeting after our time with Ott, and as always, I walked away feeling ministered to. That’s what Woodall does, because it’s who he is. God has created him to be a pastor – to delve into the hearts of men and women and to push, prod, and pull them toward becoming all God intended.
So today, on day three of my month of gratitude, I am grateful for today. I am grateful for all the many days like this that I’ve had in the last seven years to work with men and women of amazing character, amazing giftedness, and amazing passion – to pursue, in community with one another, God’s vision for our lives and our ministries.
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