THANKS STEVE!!!!

Just wanted to extend a hearty THANKS to Steve Argue for visiting us in West Bend, Wisconsin. A little background (limited) on Steve. Steve heads up a ministry called http://www.intersectcommunity.com which trains up leaders in the church, and in particular, trains youth leaders alongside their youth groups. Steve also has a blog http://www.alreadynotyet.blogspot.com with some valuable soul searching questions. Be sure to check both out.

Anyways the Kettlebrook leadership had an opportunity to gleam some insight from Steve on what it means for the church to be "missional" as well as some other questions the leadershop had pertaining to church in general.

• Being missional involves being "intentional", "go" rather than "attract".
• We are all part of the grand narrative of the Bible, that we are actually part of Adam's story and Jesus's story, this is merely another chapter.
• Touched on some issues involving leadership, small groups, multiple ministries inside a church.
• What, in particular, do the people of West Bend culturally espouse to. Who is a West Bend person?
• The changing face of an evangelical.
• What works at a particular church that we admire will not necessarily work at our church due to the cultural context in which we find ourselves in.

These are only brief snippits of what our gathering entailed. What was great about this time together was that I hope it forced leaders to think creatively, outside-of-the-box, as to what God has in store for our city. Our time I believe conjured up more questions than answers.

Thank you Steve for your passion, gentle spirit, and for the 'radical tension' that you showed to the leadership of Kettlebrook. Steve is great at asking critical questions and then not answering them himself, because he's is wrestling with these questions as well; not providing a program or one-size-fits-all ministry that we can add to our church. Rather, Steve is saying, 'Look, I have questions too, and maybe we can help each other on the journey'.

Books I have just finished reading:

Just want to update y'all on some recent books I've read.

A Million Little Pieces by James Frey

Scrap all the controversey, this book was a great read. James really puts a face to those who abuse alcohol and drugs. A little disturbing from a theological perspective. James Frey, throughout the book, denies the help of God or a god, and insist he can do it on his own. He eventually does do it on his home, on his terms. Will this attitude last long after this book is forgotten and the royalties dry up. Only time will tell.

Organic Church by Neil Cole and Leonard Sweet

On the recommendation of Mike Moran, I picked up this one. Love the enthusiasm from a man who has started over 700 churches in 32 countries through his organization www.cmaresources.com
Neil is adamant on once an individual chooses to follow Jesus, then they "Go" and form churches themselves. I was looking for a little more discipleship, mentoring, and leadership training before these individuals went out, but I didn't find it.

The Younger Evangelicals by Robert Webber

Must Read! Must Read! An awesome book on how the younger evangelicals (born post '75) appoach church, worship, activism, etc., and compares them to two other categories of evangelicals: traditional and pragmatic evangelicals. An excellent book, highlighting the positives and shortcomings of each respective group and how we often miss each other yet all strive after the same thing: Jesus. Right up there with A Shaping of Things to Come by Alan Hirsch and Robert Frost.

MEXICO VACATION

I hope heaven will somewhat resembel Riviera Maya. I have a hunch I won't be dissappointed. Michelle and I were in Mexico for a week in the beginning of February for some R & R. I know what some of you are thinking, 'Andy, your whole life has been R & R!' I'm not gonna argue against that. My wife on the other hand has deserved this trip for quite some time now.

I read, Michelle tanned and relaxed, I snorkeled, Michelle tanned and relaxed. That was pretty much the jist of our trip. Throw in a couple CUBA LIBRE'S here and there, and we were set.