Introspection

I have just finished up the launch prospectus (fancy church planting term for business plan) for Elevation Church and I am going to present it in a few hours over some tasty Starbuck's coffee to a group of trusted friends for their input and wise counsel.  This has been a real challenge for me...and one I did not anticipate.  I love to write, and I really love to write about things I am passionate about.  And I am passionate about Elevation Church! 

But taking the dreams, ideas, concepts, and visions of a church planter and putting them in black and white is apparently not something you just sit down and knock out in one easy session at the keyboard.  In fact it's taken me a couple of weeks to complete this document.  I was challeneged to really stop and pray.  To listen intently.  To truly consider the details of why Elevation Church exists.  What we believe.  What our core values are.  How I see us engaging people with the life changing message of Jesus.  How much money it's going to take (gulp!) Why we are going to Castle Rock instead of hundreds or thousands of other cities.  It's been a real eye opening experience for me, and I think a worthwhile one.  (I'll be sharing some of the answers to these questions in upcoming posts so keep checking in.)

Maybe I should do this kind of introspection for my daily life.  Spend some time alone considering the details of why I exist.  What do I believe and what are my core values?  How do I engage people with the life changing message of Jesus? Where is my money going? Why did God put me here at this place on earth at this time in history?  And the big one - do my answers to these questions align with my beliefs and values?  Do my daily habits and actions show that I am living the life God called me to...or am I on a divergent path? 

This is an exercise I do every couple of years (should be more often) and it usually reveals some things to be excited about and some that need some immediate attention.  But that's why I do it...to keep me aligned and on purpose.  Life is short...don't waste it on trivial pursuits.  Engage it!  Take a risk!  Do the introspection thing and see where you are on track.  Celebrate the successes and correct the areas that need correcting.  But be forewarned...this is a high risk exercise.  You might just discover that God has something really big in store for you!

Prayer requests:
1. We had hoped for a job transfer for Trena but when her division was realigned at the end of November there were no available positions in Colorado.  So now we are praying for a new opportunitity to open up within another division of Bayer (her current employer).
2. We are travelling to Colorado for 8 days over the Christmas holiday.  Obviously safe travel is a prayer request here, but we will be doing some meetings with other pastors in Castle Rock and the surrounding area.  Please pray for some good relational foundations to be established.