The Gathering in One Picture

The 2008 Gathering is over. I hate having to type those words. I think Doug tweeted it best, I wish we were all neighbors. Every year I make new friends and deepen my relationship with those who I am already connected with. My favorite part of these few days together is pictured above, sharing life with some of the sharpest leaders in student ministry. We do not discuss numbers, we don’t flaunt successes, we sharpen each other, we stretch each other, we pray for one another and we have tons of fun! I cannot describe the power of the authenticity that takes place around our tables during our various sessions, but I can say, its good.

Check back…I’ll be posting more about the Gathering and my week in California…right now I’m getting ready to fly home to my family who I greatly miss. California is great, but it stinks without them! California with my family would = Heaven 🙂

The Bowling gods Hate Me

Last night the PDYM State Mentors went to Lucky Strike Lanes for a little dinner and bowling.

My Results:
Game #1 3rd place 114 pts
Game #2 4th place (I didn’t get serious until frame 6) 101 pts

Doug Fields showed all the youth pastors how to do it with the high score of the night at 159 and Jim Clark came in a close second with his strong effort of 139.

I even tried a little meditation…the bowling gods still did not smile on me.

I choked like the Chicago Cubs in the pursuit of a World Series Championship.

Despite facing the anger of the bowling gods, I had more fun than I have had in a long time.

It’s sad I only get to hangout with these youth workers once a year. We’ve had a lot of fun.

Unfortunately it all ends today at 3:00 pm PT.

The after party heads to Hollywood afterwards, so who knows what will happen there!

(This is for Ben Taylor)
Join the Conversation: When’s the last time you had a lot of fun?

California

This is where I am this week…Yes, California!

I am at Saddleback for the Gathering with Doug Fields and his team.

There are so many Youth Ministry geniuses here, I am wondering why I am here.

I may not be blogging a lot over the next couple of days because of this.

But that’s ok, I’m not complaining. 🙂