It is the first time since the middle of January. That is 3 months.

I used to teach 7 times out of 8 weeks on average. Not anymore. I burned out from that.

I guess you could say that Jude saved my life (my son, not the book). I was running on empty.

But today I am excited. Teaching on Luke 9. I feel nervous, like it’s my first time. And I wonder if anyone will show up. It’s funny. (And there is a Canucks game on). But it doesn’t matter to me, because I am in a good place.

Thank you toh for you care, support and for the time off. I am renewed.

But….

I don’t plan on teaching as often anymore (7/8 is too much). It’s time to share the load. It’s time to explore discipleship. It’s time to know each other. It’s times for Sneezes, Burps and Farts.

So I look forward to seeing everyone. I look forward to sharing a meal. I look forward to sharing communion.

And…

I look forward to hearing more of your voices on Sunday nights.

So here is my first question…

Is it worth changing things up over and over in hopes of taking steps (I know that I can’t in essence create it perfectly) toward this end of a christian community that truly reflects the best of my neighbourhood and thus bringing effect a change to make it in fact even better?

Maybe I am giving myself too much credit. Maybe the changes I bring into being are really not that big a deal and everyone is really enjoying the ride, but I wonder if sooner than later, one of my “changes” is going to bring about a controversy.

Now, with that said I believe another change is coming, and to be honest and to settle my very small readership down, this change is really not that big. But in light of a few of my posts concerning being an exile, and my hope of creating a church that reflects the “best” of a neighbourhood I have begun dreaming (with anna) about a different type of gathering all together. A gathering that teaches what it means to be a way of life, rather than a system of belief. (Quick disclaimer here: I have many thoughts on why both are important, but we default to the system far too often and so I am going to speak plainly on practice, rather than the system).

I have been inspired of late by TED talks. I was first introduced to these when I was in the Bahamas at Soularize a year ago and I want to share some thoughts that I have gleaned through their inspiring ideas and through some of my own philosophy’s for teaching.

My philosophy for a long time has been that the more I read, reflect on the bible/Jesus and other thoughts and ideas about various concepts, the better equipped I am for generating conversation. And at the end, conversation (with eventual action) is my goal.

As I read the bible more and more I realizing that the letters in the NT weren’t commentaries on the OT scriptures but instead the NT letters are real life issues addressed by Paul with support from what Jesus taught and some OT references. My thought is this… Should we perhaps spend more time addressing issues from a practical theology stand point (how the bible journey’s through real life issues we encounter), instead of teaching it plainly. I am sure both are true and maybe this entire post is one of those experiences were I talk through an issue until I know what I was look for.

So amongst my aimless thoughts I am wondering if perhaps to inspire creativity, imagination,and ideas we should allow the bible to inspire these ideas instead of teaching the bible plainly. And as a teacher, should I be much more inspired than I am?

Okay, this post is a mess, but I am going to leave it up anyway because it reminds me of my own process and my hope that all that i do in this church has been well thought through and hopefully inspired by God.

Is anybody tracking with me?