:: AIP#27 - Training Roadtrip: Intro ::

One of the main things I'm doing this summer is spending time training. In addition to spending time with people, developing vision and strategy, asking for support of all kinds, and planning out the fall and the next several years, I'm reading a ton of different church planting material, and spending as much time with various pastors as I can.

The next two weeks is devoted almost exclusively to training, as I head out tomorrow to spend time with different churches and pastors across the midwest USA, who are in various stages in their church plants, and many of whom "do church" in the model we're working with. Armed with a list of questions developed after our first Vision Dinner, I'm meeting with pastors, attending services, involving myself in communities, and experiencing various parts of "church life" in different locations as I make my way to Omaha, where Jess will meet me and we'll spend a couple days with family as well.

I'll be posting brief updates along the way, but mostly I'm putting this out there so you can pray for me: for my time with various churches; for wisdom and discernment as I hear various ways of doing ministry; for a humble and understanding spirit as I learn from wisdom and experience; and for safety in travel.

Here's where I'm headed over the next couple weeks:

• Mon-Tues, Aug 3-4: Fort Worth, TX - Dr. Ted Kitchens (Christ Chapel), Jon Sherman (Trinity Bible Church, Willow Park), and Aaron Snow (IntentionalGatherings.com, currently in Las Vegas)
• Wed, Aug 5: Frisco, TX - Preaching lab with Matt Chandler (The Village Church) and Barry Keldie (Providence Community Church)
• Thurs, Aug 6: Tulsa, OK - Ricky Jones (Redeemer Tulsa)
• Fri-Sat, Aug 7-8: St. Louis, MO - still up in the air, but potentially 2-3 different churches in our Acts 29 Network, + a bit of time at The Journey
  
• Sun-Tues, Aug 9-11: Omaha, NE - Bob Thune (Coram Deo) and Doug Stevens (Core Community Church) + hang out with Jess and her family
• Wed, Aug 12: Kansas City, MO - speak at my friend Matt's young adult ministry (Covenant Chapel) and potential meet with Kevin Cawley (Redeemer KC)
• Sun-Tues, Aug 16-18: Austin, TX - Jonathan Dodson (Austin City Life)

Thanks for your prayers; I'll look forward to sending quick notes from the road!