I have always pretty much refused to make New Year's resolutions. I think they are kind of stupid. But I do have some ideas for 2007 which will require some major changes in how I did things in 2006. Dreams, if you will, of how my life will differ in the coming year:

1. CHURCH PLANTING: I will plant another missional community. I have been dreaming about this for quite some time now. This will be the year I take the plunge. Plans are already in the works. Don't get too excited, I won't be leaving The Freeway altogether quite yet.
   [More about this soon.]
   
2. RELATIONSHIPS: I will intentionally spend time and energy developing some of the newer relationships I made in 2006 outside of The Freeway community, particularly those with my neighbours and those living in the urban centre of Hamilton. I found myself so wrapped up in The Freeway this past year that I had little time for anything else. That will not happen this year.
   
3. SABBATICAL: I will take a sabbatical of sorts. I don't know how long yet, or exactly when. Details are sketchy so far. But I need some time to re-evaluate my life, get some rest, rejuvenate, breathe, do some writing, play with my kids, and ride my bike. I will take between 2 and 6 months off from full-time ministry.
   
4. SPIRITUAL PRACTICES: I will explore spiritual practices with more rhythm, regularity and intensity. I have booked myself into a monastery for two weekends in 2007 for a personal spiritual retreat. I am taking a sabbatical. I will concentrate on spiritual formation and on prayer with more intentionality than I have in the past. I will also explore practices that I never have... or at least haven't in a long time.
   
5. GENEROSITY: I will re-evaluate how we spend our finances, making every effort to become more generous. Not just personally, although that's huge, but as a community at The Freeway as well. I was not very generous in 2006... I really failed in this area. That needs to change.
   

Labels: personal, the freeway