Wildfoote: A Leadership Journey

Sydney Refugee Team

During my time in Sydney, I stayed with Reuben and Sarah Singleton.  Reuben and Sarah head up the Sydney Refugee Team for International Teams.  They are doing some incredible things in meeting the needs of refugees and in training the church to reach out and care for the refugee. 

Reuben and I had lunch at a little cafe in Blacktown and I was amazed at the number of people that stopped by to chat with Reuben...refugees that they have impacted.  We were also able to visit several families during my visit.  I am probably most excited about the impact they are having on churches, getting them to live out gospel in the context of refugees.

ITA Sydney

My days in Sydney were good.  First few days were spent around the International Teams Australia office.  My time included catching up with the staff and Board of ITA, meeting with Andrew Collins the ITA Director (pictured below), and having the opportunity to share with the ITA staff during their staff meeting.  Another neat opportunity was to meet with some members of the IT New Zealand Board, to discuss and provide input on how IT can be relaunched in that country.  It was a great discussion.

Here is Andrew standing in front of the ITA sign...good on ya, Andrew!

Blessings of an Empty Seat

I made it to Sydney without any difficulties.  United accommodated me fairly well and even provided an empty seat between myself and the other passenger.  What a difference that empty seat makes...allowing  me to stretch out and not feel as squished when someone is on my elbow. 

The first 7 seven hours went pretty fast and I actually had the chance to sleep for a few of those hours.  The second 7 hours always seem to drag and this trip was no exception.

Its good to be back in Australia, catching up with friends and colleagues, and having the chance to use my coaching skills in several arenas.  More updates to come

On The Road....er...In the Air

This has been a busy season at Richwoods CC, requiring lots of energy and focus.  But tonight I write this post from San Francisco, one of my favorite cities in the world.  In just a few hours I will be boarding a flight to Sydney, one of my other favorite cities.  I am spending the next 12 days coaching, consulting, and encouraging those who are involved with International Teams Australia and New Zealand.  And I have been challenged (thanks Chris) to use this as an opportunity to get back to some blogging.

It feels good to be traveling again....fuels my global perspective.  While I am very excited with what God is doing at Richwoods, I think this trip will help bring some renewed energy.  I will do my best to post some thoughts over the new few days.

Brian McLaren

About 10 days ago, I took a couple guys up to Northern Baptist Seminary in Lombard to hear Brian McLaren.  Brian was the featured speaker for the annual William W. Brady Lectures.  As always, Brian was both challenging and inspiring.

I got to know Brian while I was serving at International Teams and have memories of challenging discussions in cafe's in Seattle and the DC/Baltimore area, at a conference center in Costa Rica, and in our own board room in Elgin at the IT USA office.  His questions and thoughts have been postive markers in my own journey with God. 

The lectures were a good experience for all three of us and our brief conversation with Brian before the lectures started was encouraging.  I took away from the day his challenge to be engaged in contextual theology, a narrative hermeneutic, a missional vocation, and a deep global conversational ecclesiology.  I am looking forward to his next book which focuses on the contemporary global crises and how we apply the gospel to them.  Should be an interesting read.

I snapped this quick photo of Brian on my cellphone following the lectures.  Thanks for a great day Brian!

Home In P-Town

The parties are finished, the good byes are over.  Yes, it is official...we are home in Peoria. 

We wondered at times if we were going to make it. Liz did an incredible job of packing and preparing while I was traveling right before we moved.   I think we were both delirious before it was all over.  But we made it...thanks to lots of help and encouragement from old friends, new friends, family, Allied Moving company, and mostly the grace and strength of God.  Thanks to the Hilberts and Liz's parents for the ton of food on Saturday.  The movers were excited about the "buffet" they were able to experience. Thanks to Scott and Holly, Jessica, Heidi, Tom and Dottie, and Joel and Emily for unpacking, setting things up and help us make those decisions as to what goes where.

Now to get down to business...Getting the kids in school, finish setting up the house, and putting energy and intentionality behind my role at Richwoods Christian Church.

Guess What We Are Doing...

This is just a small snapshot of what is happening at our house at the moment...boxes, boxes, everywhere.  We are putting on a full court press to get packed and ready to move.

I returned home from Peoria tonight to help get packed.  The movers are scheduled to load the truck on March 15, we close on both houses on the 16th, and the movers deliver our stuff on the 17th.

The kicker is that several months ago, I agreed to help facilitate a retreat for the Regional and Ministry Leaders of International Teams in South Carolina, March 11-16.  Hmmm...see a problem here?  Liz and I have worked it out, and I will return early before the retreat is over but before the truck shows up.  I will plan to blog some of the retreat while I am there next week.  Apparently we are supposed to have wireless internet.

One thing I can say, our life is definitely not boring!!!

AN END...

I mentioned in my last post that a transition was on the horizon for us.  A few days later, I resigned from my position as Executive Vice President at International Teams.  The organization was going through a time of downsizing in order to address a challenging financial landscape.  Though incredibly difficult because of our love for International Teams, both Liz and I sensed that I needed to step forward and offer my resignation.

Though my resignation was accepted, I was asked to remain until the end of the year to complete a major project that I was heading up.  The project was completed, and nearly nine years at the International Teams US office came to a close on December 31, 2006.  I will continue to do some consulting and project work, mainly working alongside the International Director.  It has been bittersweet...bitter due to loss of some relationships and good memories....sweet because of exciting opportunities that God has opened up for us.

Katrina

Though it has been nearly 6 months since Katrina hit New Orleans and the surrounding areas, devastation still abounds in many places.  We knew that it would be a massive project that would require help for the long haul.

This weekend, a group from Judson College will be headed down to Slidell, LA to spend their spring break working to bring some hope and help to people still struggling to get through this horrific experience.  Two of our International Teams' staff will be helping to provide leadership for the team.  You can follow their journey as they blog about their experiences.  Starting on Thursday March 2, you should be able to access their blog here.  If you think about it, keep the team in your prayers.