1Advent Tuesday- Hope is a Thing With Feathers...

Hope helps me to not stop even when I do not yet know the words to say, in Methodese, at least, that would tell others of how profoundly I sense we have much to learn, and some to teach, those involved in the emergent conversation.

I am reading, finally, Tim Keel's book which I received from him as a gift back in early October. Remember friends---I am an unapologetically devoted Tim Keel fan. That said, I think even if I weren't (and that would mean that I did not know him...because most people who know him are devoted fans) I would find this book refreshing in its authenticity and honesty. It really is theology told in story, the best way, in my opinion, to theologize. To read it only for the story of how Tim and Mimi came to be the leaders of this amazing community called Jacob's Well is enough. But in the book we hear again how church leaders today are challenged not only to travel paths untrod, but to know that while others' stories may inform us, our own context has to define our own response to the Gospel. As I am reading the book, I find myself smiling, understanding, and wondering again how a 31 year veteran of ministry in a mainline congregation (i.e. me), now in a position that some would call middle management (I would call it spiritual leadership :-)) could identify so much with this story, this truth that Timothy tells. I have had the pleasure of becoming a friend of Tim's over the last four years, and have had the blessing of being a speaker on the same docket with him at conferences on emergent issues here in KC. This year both Tim and I will be speaking at the Missouri Conference Ministers' School at Tan-tar-a in January. It is hard for me to truly believe that three and a half years after the 2004 annual conference where I tried to tell everyone who would listen about this emergent conversation thing (and most looked at me quizically, if not as if I had lost my mind), that ministers' school will be on that topic. Wow!

This Thursday, Tim will be talking about the book at First Watch in Westport at noon over lunch---sponsored by the KC Emergent Cohort. Hope to see you there!