Year End Mind Dump

A few blogging buddies of mine do a weekly mind dump. It's kinda fun. I'm doing a year end mind-dump and I'm gonna start a weekly mind dump as part of my New Year's Rezzies (Resolutions).

So, here's what's swirling in my mind about 2007, and looking into 2008.

• The vision team did an awesome job from February to July. They were totally faithful, creative, energetic and passionate about that work. It shows in the final product. I'm just dang proud of the entire vision team.
• The vision process was long and tiring at times, but has been well-worth it. Our ministry leaders have a good understanding of what we are hoping to do in the next 3 years and we're working together towards that.
• We need more vision updates.
  
• There's about a dozen or more people at The Journey who have come to faith this year or come back to faith in a significant way this year. That rocks.
• Our first annual leadership retreat was lots of fun. Looking forward to the '08 retreat, which is already on the calendar.
• I need to spend more time with my wife.
• I need to lose weight and exercise.
• If I do those 2 things, I will be a much better pastor.
• I took 3 classes at seminary this year, just 5 more to go until I graduate--Spring '09.
• I think Kate "Stripey" O'Brien has amazing instincts and passion for youth ministry and I'm excited to see her grow into that role.
• Josh has been a great leader on Sunday mornings, and it's always great to have Emily singing too. It's been a long year for Josh and Em as they are looking for a good fulltime science position for her, as she finished school and graduated, and as they navigated their first year of marriage. I'm glad you are here, guys!! Looking forward to the coming year.
• Ken Adams always is impressing me with his passion for involvement in whatever ministry he can get into. He's doing a great job with life groups, as a webmaster, on our search and rescue team, and as a tech guru. Life groups are vital to the Journey and he's doing a bang-up job there.
• Kids ministry has great momentum, with Theresa, Andrea, SJ and Kelly R all helping drive it. The kids' Christmas deal on Sunday was fun. Have to admit that I wasn't excited about "rockin around the Christmas tree", but it was darn cute.
  
• Gonna watch seasons 1 and 2 of Lost--got that for Christmas from my wife. I hear that kids can watch--that it's OK for kids the ages of ours. Maybe this will be a January family thing.
• We've saved over $17,000 as a church to help birth other churches. I'm getting more excited about the prospect of us joining forces with several other churches to help plant one or more churches in '08 or '09.
• Ukraine was fabulous this summer and I am looking forward to going back. Josh Stevens wants to go back too--for the food mostly.
• We've gotten killed financially lately at The Journey. We are almost 4 months behind in rent!! Got a year end gift from a dear friend of the Journey (doesn't go to The Journey) and it will pay roughly 3 months of our rent. Thanks to God!!!
• I'm thankful for Paul and Brett, the guys on Leadership Council with me. They are off the chart in terms of wisdom and they are very supportive of me on a personal level. I love both these guys as great friends. Beyond that, they provide a huge ministry to The Journey itself.
• The Admin team (hey, that needs a new name!!) rocks. They do tons of behind-the-scenes work, and often do so without thanks. Kelly J heads it up. I'm so thankful for these intrepid, faithful volunteers.
• The Journey has a well-earned reputation for being very friendly. I love that. People remark on it over and over again. That makes me so proud!!!
• Hero team. What can I say...they are incredible. Scott Olson, hats off to you. Uh, you can keep your hat on, though...I don't want to go blind.
  
• Search and Rescue....this team is gonna rock The Journey this coming year. They are high-energy, crazy cool creative, and they're gonna lead the way as we reach out to Maple Grove in exciting and meaningful ways. Just watch and be amazed. Then join in.
  
• Look for a new leadership gathering starting up at The Journey in January. This is one of our 2008 strategic goals and I'm excited about this.
  
• Our other strategic goals for 2008 are life group/discovery classes as well as the search and rescue team. Those are running strong!! So, before the year even starts, we have made huge strides towards achieving our 2008 goals.
• My new years rezzies--in addition to the weight loss/exercise and more time with Andrea--more time in prayer, a silent retreat in the spring, more reading for personal enjoyment (fiction, Civil War, other history). Also regular blogging. Don't ask me to define 'regular' right now.
  
• Hoping to get our Christmas letters/cards out soon!!! We always run late on those.
• My folks are in NY visiting my oldest bro and his family. The Journey is blessed to have them here. They have an important ministry here.

That's a lot. Probably forgot some stuff, but that's OK...