Going from city to city, youth conference to youth conference, camp and back again is not always as glamorous as it seems. Lack of sleep and inadequate nutrition, sleeping apart from my wife and missing lazy pool days with my kids are huge bummers. But, I'm also coming to realize that my family and I have been immensely blessed by my summer job/calling (or whatever you want to call it).
First of all, the heroic friends that I get to work with and glean wisdom from have not only inspired me to be more bold in my proclamation of the Gospel through the years, but have also inspired me to be a better human being, husband and father. I have the greatest friends who love me (for me) and are constantly cheering me on to holiness and wholeness. Secondly, on the road I get a lot of contemplation time. I almost feel guilty talking about it, but there is a lot more silence for me there. Whether it's while driving or flying (layovers too), travel affords me some good time with my thoughts, and good locations for listening to God's voice. Thirdly, I have the opportunity to dream some dreams, to learn and to experiment with new movements of evangelization and discipleship. Camp and conference culture is oftentimes a lab for the new evangelization in America, a place where some of the brightest and most selfless leaders get to share new ideas and models. I like this part a lot. But I also think it's dangerous if we are the only ones doing it. I think dreaming is for everyone. All believing Christians should participate in the necessary exercise of "What's working? What's not working? How can we do this better?". Over the years, I've become increasingly convinced that one of the greatest tragedies of modern Christianity is that we've lost our sense of creativity, our ability to captivate people's hearts with the radical beauty of the Gospel. So, I wanted to ask you... What's working? What's not working? How can we better share our faith and captivate hearts with the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Are more conferences the answer? Better liturgy? What's your dream? Cana and I have our thoughts and opinions and we might share them tonight on the Live Q and A. But we want to know what you are thinking. Comment below or send us an email. We'd love to hear your voice. "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions." Joel 2:28 and Acts 2:17 Peace and Good! Ennie
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Cana and EnnieShort 1-2 minute reflections on this messy beautiful life of joy Archives
May 2020
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