Hanging at the "A"

I am spending the day hanging out at the "A." For those of you unfamiliar with the "A," please allow me to introduce you. The "A" is actually Affogata Coffee Bar, located in Bellevue, PA just outside Pittsburgh. It is a funky, eclectic old/school/new school coffee house. The “A” has a real coffee bar that seats about dozen people and features an array of tables and chairs that look like they were collected from the curbside. While the coffee served up is great, my favorite treat is the daily special muffin, buttered and grilled (if I lived any closer to the “A,” I would weigh about 300 pounds). Today it was blueberry – amazing! As an extra bonus, parking is only a quarter for 60 minutes – the parking authority in Mt Lebanon should learn a lesson from Bellevue.

Here’s the deal: I spent quite a bit of time working in coffee shops like Aldo, Uptown Coffee, and Mojo. I love these places and am thankful we have some great coffee spots right in my own backyard. But the operative word here is work; the majority of my time spent in these places is doing stuff. My relationship with the "A" is different. Once a month or so, I escape to the "A" simply to be. To be refreshed and renewed - to be opened to God's presence and activity in my life in a fresh way. To clear my head and to dream. To be still and to know.

Recently, I came across a formula coined by Mark Batterson of National Community Church. He says:

change of place + change of pace = change in perspective

The change of place and pace today has been energizing. My perspective perhaps hasn’t so much been changed but enhanced, shifted, expanded, and enlivened (and it’s only 1:30 PM – who knows what else might happened). Today I read a chapter from Margaret Feinberg’s book, Organic God, reflected deeply upon John 10:1-6, viewed a talk by Chris Seay on consumerism, had my heart touched by a song from Eddi Reader and another one from Brooke Fraser. My soul has been enlarged and I have been renewed.

It’s been a great Monday at the “A.” You should stop by someday. Perhaps God will meet you here as well. Tell Vicki I sent you.

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A Great Question

Margaret Feinberg asked me a great question the other day (no, I don't personally know Margaret, but she did ask me the question as I was reading her wonderful book, The Organic God. She also went as far to say that she wanted me to email her my response. That will come a bit later today.) Here's the question: "what do you love about Jesus?"

One of the things I love most about Jesus is His heart toward people. I love His commitment and desire to do whatever it might take so that everyone He encountered would know that they were deeply loved and valued by God. No matter where people came from, no matter what their background, gender, socio-economic status, or religious preference was - Jesus, through His deeds and words, demonstrated the amazing love of God. Sometimes he reached out and touched people, other times it was the right word at the right moment. For some it was a challenging teaching or even a strong rebuke; for some it was a meal of bread and fish. For all, it was the in-break of God upon their lives.

Today's my birthday - leave me a gift if you would. What do you love about Jesus?

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My Journey to Q

Yesterday I accepted an invitation to participate in the Fermi Project's Q. Q is the brainchild of Gabe Lyons, co-author of unChristian, a must read book for people in ministry leadership. The big idea behind Q is simple: Q is a place where innovators, church leaders, social entrepreneurs, and cultural leaders come together to explore the church’s role in positively contributing to culture.

Q was created as a gathering place for leaders in the church to become informed and exposed to future-culture. In a three-day experience, Q introduces participants to twenty-five presenters on a myriad of topics selected to heighten their awareness and challenge their creativity as they consider their role in shaping culture. No other gathering exists that attracts pioneers of the church and the most innovative thinkers into one space for conversation, learning, invention and collaboration. Q brings together key voices in the church and exposes them to the fundamental cultural, social and environmental shifts taking place in the world. By exposing church leaders to current realities about our culture, they can re-imagine how the gospel can be expressed in this context – forever changing their approach in their cities and communities (from Q website).

The last month I have been praying and searching for some space this year to learn, grow and be stretched. My community of faith encourages me to take time each year to leave our community and plug into something that will renew, refresh, and challenge me. I thought about heading out to Origins in So Cal, or perhaps a worship conference somewhere sunny and warm (it has been a long winter in Pittsburgh). Instead I will be spending three days in April in New York City with 500 other leaders at Q. Presenters like Louie Giglio, Dr. Francis Collins, Diane Louise Jordan from the BBC, Ruth Padilla Deborst from the Latin American Theological Fellowship, artist Makoto Fujimure, Jim Wallis and Chuck Colsen. Let me tell I am pumped.

When I submitted my application I was asked why I desired to participate in Q. Here was my response:

As a leader of a missional community of faith with the opportunity to serve with leaders in the marketplace, education, and the arts, I want to become more and more aware of what God is doing in our world and discover fresh ways to empower, inspire, and stand shoulder to shoulder with others to bring the kingdom of God near in our world. I am committed to being a life long learner and Q is an environment where my passion will be fueled. As well, as I enter the second half of my life and ministry, I am looking to invest more of myself in emerging leaders and Q will help me connect with others who have a similar passion, call, and intention.

Please pray for for my journey toward Q.

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