The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. - John 10:10
During our first session we were invited to share a little bit about ourselves and what brought us to be a part of the Academy. Being the introvert that I am, I had an outline of things I was preparing to say percolating away in my head. What I was not prepared to say but which spilled out of my mouth anyway was this:
Last night I arrived in Kansas City to attend a two day retreat that marks the start of the Academy for Missional Wisdom.
During our first session we were invited to share a little bit about ourselves and what brought us to be a part of the Academy. Being the introvert that I am, I had an outline of things I was preparing to say percolating away in my head. What I was not prepared to say but which spilled out of my mouth anyway was this:
What I desire for this next phase in my life is to form and be part of something that is life giving. Life giving to me, life giving to those that are a part of, and life giving to the community we are a part of.
Later on in our discussion I was reminded that the purpose of the Missional Wisdom Academy is not to discount or dismiss the existing church.
While my recent church leadership experience was not always positive or life giving, I still need to remember that existing church structures do feed certain people in important and significant ways.
At the same time, the missional church movement grows out of the foundation of the existing church but also hopes to add back - to breath life back - to the existing church.
I'm not sure what's next for me but with openness to the life giving Spirit, I trust that it will bring life to me, the church, and the world that so desperately needs it.
