DISQUS

graham · 4 years ago

Ah, man - that sucks!

I was looking at the flyer/advert this morning and thinking that it all looked and sounded pretty cool.

Here's praying that some kind of resolution can be found.

pat k · 4 years ago

Wow, Mark. I heard about this from Joel's e-mail, and I came here to get more details.

I'm really sorry, and I'm praying for you.

todd h · 4 years ago

Mark, I'm so sorry, that's awful. We will be praying.

Gary M. · 4 years ago

God never asks for more than He gives. The strength that you are gaining from these "blows" is what you need to fill the place He has prepared for you.

Charlie Wear · 4 years ago

Okay Mark, you are asking the right question, God, what are you doing? Now, instead of crawling under a vine, perhaps you should take the time to listen to his whisper in the wind...have your "meeting" in the East Commons? That will satisfy your brochure printing obligations and then get a friend or two and begin to walk the streets of your "target" area and watch to see where the people are hanging out...Look for the place where you can interact with the ones God has called you to serve...think in terms of alternative ways of interacting, rather than a "meeting"...See if God will whisper to you in the wind...
Blessings on your adventure with God,
Charlie

petew · 4 years ago

I've totally been there, bro. Two thoughts - First, keeping putting it before the Lord and hang in there. As a pastor, you need to model what "trusting God" looks like...the unfortunate part is that real trust is forged out of having everything stripped away from you. Second, don't get so caught up in the disappointments - especially the loss of people - that you overlook the people that you do have. Keep up the good fight!

Van S · 4 years ago

Thanks all for the encouragement.

Charlie,

Thanks...I wrote this post this morning, when I was feeling the pain of the events described. Now, at the end of the day, I feel a sense of peace. I've realized that "Augsburg" was a compromise. I feel like what we have set out to do is a real God Thing. It is beyond us. And in order to make the journey easier, I think we went for the easy grab--the short cut: meeting at a local college, with a local newspaper promotion, to get local West Bank people to come to us instead of the slow process of going to them. It is funny that I need to be reminded of the call to be incarnational, since I've pontificated about it on this blog recently.

It has been a hard year. I realize that a large number of people that have been involved at Missio Dei don't have a passion for incarnational ministry on the West Bank. Some are involved for reasons that have nothing to do with the West Bank and could take it or leave it. But it is where God has sent us. I believe that with all of my heart. The process of getting people engaged in incarnational ministry has been very slow--and so I think we sought to help that along by taking a shortcut. I think God has something else in mind. And I'm begining to realize what it is. This Sunday, as Missio Dei meets to pray, I hope that we are all able to see God's vision for Missio Dei and begin to obediently live it out. And I have great hope that we will.

alexander · 4 years ago

Hi Van. Hang in there you're doing great. by now you sound as if you've got a little objectivity back. looks like this may well turn out to be a door of opportunity rather than a disaster. the fact that you feel so deeply about these things shows your heart. thats where God looks. alexander - UK.

Jeff · 4 years ago

Take heart. Maybe God foreordained all of this just so Charlie Wear would comment on your blog. Frankly, Augsburg pales in comparison. No matter what happens, you are now a Man amongst mere children.