answers to questions from two posts ago... you all can still answer them below or on the original post!


what am I learning?

I am learning how to be a pastor. I think it will take awhile, and I say this in all seriousness. I see this as the work of my life for the next ten years, learning how to be a pastor. I have a feeling that the work of the following ten years will be learning how not to be a pastor... and the work of the ten years after that will most likely be learning how to teach both of those things to others.

I am learning about the attitude of grace. I spent years learning the doctrine of grace, but somehow missed the heart of it.

I am learning how to be present. Present to my wife (i fail this miserably quite often), present to my son, present to my evergreen people (whom I love), present to a world in need and present to God (who loves me).

I am learning how not to tell people what I know and how to help them ask questions they should be asking.


what is God forming in me?


an attentive heart
a shepherd's heart
a love of doing
a desire for a love of being able not to do

I think this may be one of those questions where others have some insight/answers I may not be able to see...

what am I (pastorally) forming in others?

(wow... this seemed like such a great question until I actually had to answer it!)

The ability to balance being at peace with themselves and their relationship with God and
yet want more.

here's what Karli said (about me):
You are forming in others the ability to take responsibility for their experience at church and in a community. Something that is so much more valuable and sustaining in life than trying to feel the results without living any of it out.



what is the practical outcome, the tangible benefit, to others of my life lately?

arrgh...
There are a few people at evergreen whom I've been doing one-on-one time with. I honestly hope it's been as beneficial for them as it has been for me.

I spend some time with church planters also. This is something of a friendship/mentoring role that God is developing in me. I hope that the practical benefit to them is encouragement and help in sussing out their own individual ministry philosophies.


I would like to take credit for the good that goes on at evergreen- those fed, those visited, those clothed, those taken in and housed. But I can't! It's all you guys. I'm just happy to be putting bricks in the walls of this thing we're building right along side of everyone else.


am I paying attention to the most important things, or simply the most urgent things?


urgent. definitely urgent...
but I'm trying!

"But I'm trying, Ringo. I'm trying real hard to be the shepherd" - Jules Winnfield, Pulp Fiction