So today’s the last day our whole staff/leadership team here at Trinity has in this building and ministry.  We’ve got a lunch set up for everyone, a lot of packing, and then a new launch tomorrow as the Connexus team.  I think we’ll all probably put our feet up tonight and chow down on some candy when the kids get home (I’m going to hockey with Jordan…Toni is doing the trick or treat deal).  And we might just pray a deep prayer of thanksgiving for all that has been and all that is to come.

So many people have emailed or written in to say thanks for the way our team has conducted itself in taking what people call "the high road".  I’m so totally proud of our team.  I just love working with them every day.  They are first rate, first class people.  But as far as I am concerned, I just want to go on record as saying that when it comes to me personally, it’s all grace, man.  It’s all grace.

My instincts run in such an evil direction that I’m embarrassed to talk about it.  A good friend of mine once said that if the average preacher’s thought life was projected on a screen as he or she entered the auditorium Sunday mornings, the congregation would flee.  Yep, he’s right.

But there’s a difference between where our instincts run (can’t control actually having a thought) and what we do with them.  I can choose how long I dwell on a thought.  I can choose to submit every thought to Christ.  I can choose to bite my tongue (hard for a preacher and lawyer).  I can choose to do the right thing, even if my heart wants to do the wrong thing.

How do you get the strength for this?  That’s my point.  I don’t have it.  Christ has it.  And the more I lean into Him, the more He reminds me how little I bring to the table, and how much He brings. 

So don’t thank us, thank God. 

Grateful for all of you today.

So there’s basically a month to go until Connexus Community Church publicly launches in Barrie and Orillia, and just two weeks until we start meeting on Sundays to train our volunteers (both campuses — be there Sunday, November 11th at 10:00 at the Barrie Galaxy). 

I was thinking about how I’m going to get ready spiritually.  If I’m not careful, I can end up trying to do way too much on my own strength, not leaning hard enough into God. So yesterday, I changed my devotional plan.  For years, I have read through the Bible every year, and that’s good.  But I was going to end up spending half of November in Ezekiel, which is a great book, but it’s basically a bunch of numbers and measurements, especially toward the end.  I wondered whether that would do the best job of really getting me personally ready for the launch. 

So I picked up a devotional book I got a few years ago where essentially, you only read a verse or two of scripture a day and then spend about 15-30 minutes praying over it, reflecting on it, asking God to apply it to your life, journaling about it, and  then praying.  Sometimes just two verses, really digested and applied, can be transformational.

A great teacher, Terry Wardle, helped me overcome my tending to treat Bible reading as a "duty" or something you "check off".  He taught me that the Bible and prayer position you for intimacy with God.  Rather than being an "end" in themselves, I’ve come to see scripture and prayer as means that help me encounter Christ personally and deeply, the same way a fine dinner on a date positions a couple to have a time to catch up and really grow in their relationship.

Man, that’s what I want as we head into this launch.  I’d appreciate your prayers for me and for the whole team as we get spiritually ready for what’s ahead.  And if you’re part of the launch, I hope you’ll think about how you might prepare too.

Welcome to my blog.  This is a NEW chapter in my life, as I step back from Trinity Community Church to launch Connexus Community Church.

This blog will be the place where a couple of "worlds" converge…being a follower of Jesus, a pastor, and a church leader.

I hope this blog can be a connection point for the people of Connexus, leaders whom we’re meeting through Orange and North Point, friends we’ve made who began with us via Encouragement Today, and listeners of Life Matters across Central Ontario.

Several times a week, I’ll post a series of thoughts on life as a follower of Jesus and as a church leader trying to leverage transformation and see what transpires.  Hopefully it will provoke some dialogue, be an encouragement and provoke change, personally and in ministry.  At a minimum, I’ll be able to share hopes, dreams, disappointments, frustrations, wins and maybe even a few insights along the way.

Welcome to the next step of this incredible journey together.