Next Gathering: Wednesday July 7, 2010

Our next gathering will take place on Wednesday July 7, 2010 at noon at Ha Ha’s Grillhouse.  As we gather we’ll take time to share with one another about the recent happenings of our lives and communities, follow up our conversation about Infuse, float a few ideas including the possibility of a fall / winter prayer and solitude retreat and dialogue on the following:

During our recent trip to Haiti we encountered the deep contrast of beauty and brokenness.  In creation, in people, in systems, in possibilities.  Our first few hours of navigating chaotic and crumbling streets, hiking up eroded mountain paths, breathing in the mixed aroma of burning trash, exhaust and food being cooked over open flame led one of our companions to say, “this can’t be fixed.”  Over the course of our time in country we also met amazing and creative people, experienced hospitality that left us humbled, and began the joyous process of friendship and misison shaped partnership.  As such, the aforementioned companion, and all of us, realized that progress, redemption and change could and would happen.  But it will happen little by little.  Or as the Haitian proverb we learned says, “piti, piti, wazo fe nich li” (little by little the bird builds it’s nest).

I’m confident that all of us would agree, to some extent, that the same is true of our mission shaped work in this time and place, and in all times and places.  But what about our souls?  Would we agree that, to some extent, our souls are formed in the same way?  As I reflect upon the brokenness and beauty mentioned above I find myself confessing that there are days, seasons, where my soul is a crumbling mess, much like the streets of Cap Haitien.  And if I were to expand the story a bit more I’d say that there have been times where I’ve tried quick and unsuccessful fixes, or simply wondered if it could ever be fixed at all.  What about you?  What about those we journey with?  What about those we seek to mentor and develop as future leaders?

How do you assess the state of your own soul?
Have / Are you experiencing soul formation as a “little by little” journey or something other?
Do you see this as an aspect of mission shaped (missional) formation and faithfulness?
How do you foster care for the soul in your church community?
How are you training future mission shaped pioneers in this?
What other questions or issues related to this would you raise?