Rachael and I spent last weekend on the road, traveling to Jefferson City to speak at a conference and then to Kirksville for a birthday party. In Jeff city, we spoke at the MO BSU Leadership Development Conference, and event that Gene Austin (our campus minister from Truman) runs.
Rachael's sessions were on how to develop a comprehensive women's ministry. I presented resources to use in ministry and how to take inspiration from resources to create new ministry tools.
Both of us enjoyed the conference main speaker, Alex McManus. He shared a number of interesting ideas for ministry many of which incorporated arts and technology. Check out his blog(or xanga) or his world music band.
We also liked getting the chance to see some of our friends from Kirksville, even if it wasn't for very long.
After our part of LDC was over on Saturday, we drove up to Kirksville, where we met up with other Truman alum to celebrate the founding of The Bulldog Party (an organization Rachael ran while in school). We had a great time. A number of times people asked about ministry and we had the chance to share. We also talked about marriage with some of our friends who had a dim view of marriage. One told us that seeing us made her think that maybe marriage isn't the end of all life and that we gave her hope that one day it might be something to consider.
This weekend looks to be another whirlwind of activity. Tonight we are doing our Film & Theology night, showing The Story of Us. Tomorrow we are attending a Children's ministry conference, and Sunday morning I am speaking to the youth at Cornerstone during Sunday School about God's will, ministry and the future. We'll end the weekend with part two of our small group's Got Niche? study on spiritual gifts (by far the best spiritual gifts material we've ever seen).
Writer Rob Borsellino posted an interesting opinion piece for USA Today called "What has happened to America's Jesus?" that is an interesting conversation starter. What do you think about it?
I have a cold. Not one of those I cough a bit colds. No, this is one of those can't breathe without assistance colds. I've been stuck in bed for most of the week so far.
Except, of course for our first volleyball game of the spring session, which we won (myself, 'hopped up' on cold medicine). This time around our team's returning players are myself, Rachael, my father-in-law Paul and Russ (who works with Paul). Joining us are Ricky & Lacey Meads (Lacey's father teaches Sunday School with Rachael's mother).
This weekend Rachael and I will both be teaching sessions at the BSU State Leadership Development Conference in Jeff City, MO. Rachael's session will be on creating women's ministries that create Proverbs 31 women and mine will be how to discover resources that sharpen your focus in ministry.
Then next Friday night will be our second KC Film & Theology event. All the details are below and everyone who reads this should come join us.
Vows. They're like New Year's resolutions- easy to make and really hard to live up to.
Rachael and I are sponsoring a new KC Film & Theology Event on Friday, February 24 at 6:30 p.m. We’ll be meeting at Cornerstone Baptist Church in Lee’s Summit (501 N. Missouri – just off Douglas).
We’ll be watching and discussing Rob Reiner’s “The Story of Us” and discussing the question: What if God designed marriage to make us holy, more than happy? After a brief introduction, we’ll view the movie and have a short discussion about the issues it raises. Childcare will be provided and will include a children’s movie dealing with love. We hope this will spark family discussions about love and marriage. 
Movie Description: The Story of Us, starring BRUCE WILLIS and MICHELLE PFEIFFER, is the very real and humorous examination of Ben and Katie Jordan's marriage. After 15 years, the couple is wrestling with the universal paradox: why are the qualities that made them fall in love in the first place now the very things pulling them apart? Emotionally drained from their relationship, the Jordans attempt a trial separation while their children, Josh, 12, and Erin, 10, are away at summer camp. For both Ben and Katie, fighting has lately become the condition rather than the exception, and they believe that their only option is a silent retreat to neutral corners. During their time apart, both Ben and Katie reflect on the value of their shared history -- the dance, perfected over time, that has made them an "us."
How can these qualities that were once so endearing become so infuriating that you lose sight of what is important? At what point do you forget that without the other person you are incomplete? Where do we get the idea that marriage is supposed to make us "happy ever after?"
Come join us for an evening of cinema and discussion.
Both of us enjoyed the conference main speaker, Alex McManus. He shared a number of interesting ideas for ministry many of which incorporated arts and technology. Check out his blog(or xanga) or his world music band.
