Fair trade music: www.noisetrade.com

Labels: blogging

I don't know why exactly it is, but The Freeway loves their bocce. This picture was taken at our picnic at Pier 4 Park in June (photo credit: "Reverend Joyleaf").

This weekend we are going camping together for the long weekend (always a good time)... and there will be much bocce played, I am sure, along with swimming, biking, campfires, eating, and of course, sitting around and simply enjoying each others company. I will try and post pictures early next week.

We had an amazing time as a family at a cottage we rented near Haliburton, Ontario for the past two weeks. Good time had by all.

Click here to see photos.

Labels: family, personal, photos

We are halfway through our Allelon Summer Institute at The Freeway. It has been really great so far. Almost forty people from all over the place have come to join us for an intensive week of learning and forming together.

The highlight for me has been having Alan and Jane Roxburgh stay at my house all week. I really like those two, and "picking their brains" and learning from them has been very inspiring. Margie and I have been without our kids all week as they are away at camp, so it's been like an extended double-date - with Jane and Margie tag-teaming to pick on Alan and I (he has thicker skin than even me, so we will be fine, don't worry).

On Saturday morning I leave for two weeks of vacation with my family, so blogging will likely be non-existent for a couple weeks. I will go into greater detail about the Summer Institute and our upcoming Allelon Training Centre opportunities when I return. We are going to a cottage we have rented in Haliburton. I can hardly wait.

Peace.

Labels: blogging, friends, personal, training centre

According to Steve Taylor it's:

1. A story based in ordinary lives.
2. The conflict between comfortable pasts and painful new narratives.
3. The ability to subvert existing unjust structures rather than start new shiny things.
4. The power of what can happen when you trust yourself to organic processes.
5. The importance of welcoming the stranger in whom are found the keys to unlock pain and grief and bring healing.
   

That's missional church.

Labels: blogging, leadership

Labels: videos

I was telling you a couple months back that I was getting a new office space in my house. Well, I neglected to post a picture of my new space (what with the complete lack of blogging and all), so here it is:

You will notice:

• I only keep a few of my favourite books on the bookshelf in my office (the rest are in the basement).
• A bed for our miniature schnauzer "Bear"... she likes to lay down and watch me work. Very nice.
• Window air conditioning unit. Very important in the humid Ontario summer. I stay cool and refreshed while I work. Glorious.
• My space is clutter-free. I am a neat freak. This is my one and only space where I have full control of its clutter level.
• Artwork and plants... they make me happy.
  

You may not (won't be able to) notice:

• Inside the cabinet pictured are awards, certificates, etc. some of which are framed, none of which are displayed on the wall. That's just the way I roll.
• An Ikea wardrobe containing hundreds of VHS and DVD movies, hundreds of CDs, etc.
• The paint on the walls is environmentally friendly... and beautiful to work with (only one coat needed). We have made efforts in the past while to make our home as green as we can.
• A bulletin board above my desk. I throw ideas-in-progress on there so I can visualize what's next. It helps with my creativity and my organization.
• My acoustic guitar in the corner. I like to play. It helps me think and relax.
  

Labels: family, personal

I wonder if this commercial has anything to say to The Church?

Labels: videos

My friend, Randell Neudorf (who is also a leader at The Freeway) has a musical project under his alter-ego persona, 2x the Mono. Recently he created an ambient experimental album called "sound sketches" which is available for download. I use these tunes to create environments in worship, when I want to re-engage my imagination, and to foster creativity while I am working at my computer. You should go and give it a listen and consider purchasing it.

Labels: friends, worship resources

The Freeway is hosting an Allelon Summer Institute from July 7-11, 2008. What is a Summer Institute?

Allelon Summer Institutes were born out of a question: How do we accelerate the learning and development of leaders in the frameworks and skills to form mission-shaped churches? Over the past 2 years, these three day intensive learning communities have provided frameworks, tools and resources to many pastors, leaders and denominational executives.

In 2008, we are launching Allelon Training Centers (ATCs) in a number of locations across North America. Our Summer Institutes will feature quality courses and tutorials at our Regional Training Centers in missional leadership, practice and formation. These courses are designed at a Masters Level for clergy, church planters, elders, deacons, youth leaders and men and women from a variety of backgrounds engaged in leadership in their local Christian community.

We are offering a morning course and an afternoon course as follows:

8:00am-12:00pm - Mission-Shaped Groups: Structures For Missional Formation
Instructor: Alan Roxburgh
Cost: $299.00

1:00pm-5:oopm - Missional Church: Its Nature & Purpose
Instructor: Pernell Goodyear
Cost: $299.00

Labels: church planting, leadership, training centre