The rain won’t ruin anything!

I am sitting in the airport waiting for my plane back to Boise, and it’s raining.  I just spent three days in Portland, OR listening to a few great speakers (Michael Frost and Doug Fields), hanging with some great people, and walking through lots of rain.  I definitely have a lot to think about and unpack and process from these three packed days away.  I plan to write about a lot of this as I process it all, but until then here are a few quick things I am taking home with me from this trip.  Yes it rained most of the time, but my time here has been very WARM!

1. Relationships are HUGE

This conference is a gathering of pastors from the western states of the Church of God.  Over the years of attending this conference and being on the planning side of it the past few years I have gotten to know many of these people.  It is fun to hang out with like-minded friends.  Our ministry and personal paths cross from time to time, but our friendships and connections go much deeper than that.  I have not talked face to face with Doug for many years.  Others I have seen recently but no matter how long it has been it is always great to catch up and share stories.

2. Successful ministry doesn’t have to be complicated and busy

As I reflect on the teachings of both Doug Fields and Michael Frost I see this common theme through both of their messages.  These two men had very different styles and approaches, but they both communicated a similar message to me; slow down and keep it simple and effective.  More on this to come…

3. Keep pressing forward

Once again, like God did a month ago on my trip to SYMC, I am encouraged to keep doing what I am doing.  I see God answering some long time questions of mine, opening some doors, closing others, and confirming to me I am headed in the right direction.  With my church, my writing, my friendships, and every other area of my life.  There is nothing like being right in the middle of God’s will, and that is exactly where I feel I am right now.

I have no idea where you are at in your life or in your ministry, but if it is “raining” I encourage you to seek God and find out what is missing.  Is it relationships?  Are you making things more complicated than they need to be?  Are you just too busy?  Perhaps you just need confirmation you are heading in the right direction.  Whatever it might be, seek God and ask if you don’t know, because I know 100% that He does know and I believe he will tell you if you ask.  Just because it might be raining, don’t let it ruin anything.