Keeping Up With Life in NZ
After visits from Phil Struckmeyer, the Impact Student Missions Team and Ryan and Angele Gerten to New Zealand, we finally got to visit Impact ourselves! 3 services later (Saturday night and 2 on Sunday) we were beginning to get a feel for the community that is Impact.
It was cool to arrive early and see how well (and yet informally) people were welcomed as they arrived. The hot coffee was a definite plus. The intimate worship space maintained an informal feel with coffee tables at the back. The Narnia series set was simple but effective.
The band was really solid with strong leadership from Jason Holdridge, another of the pastors at Impact. I liked Jason even though he said to the congregation that when he closed his eyes while I was praying it sounded like Shrek was interceding instead! Ed Love preached a compelling message from Luke 2 on what the Christmas story penned by Luke would have meant for 1st century Christians - with particular reference to the shadow of Rome and the ever increasingly deluded Caesars. Enjoyed this (even after hearing it 3 times).
I got to do the announcements without introduction as if I were the pastor. Cunningly crafted power points asked the questions behind me: "Who is this guy?" "Is he allowed to speak?" "Why does he talk funny?" Seemed to go down OK and a good introduction to the 8 January service I will preach at.
Moment of the morning however came in the final service when the band failed to appear on cue. Phil grabbed a mike to cover, finally giving up the pretense and admitting he was playing for time with the quip: "They must be on a smoke break!"
It really does make a difference being here and sensing the heart of these people. I left refreshed and optimistic for how our two communities of faith could deepen a partnership together. Today Kristen and I are meeting with Katie Sullivan, our prospective youth intern and hanging with the Impact leadership team at their Christmas party.
But before that I get to go to Watermark and catch up with Steve Deur, Steve Thompson and Nate Smith. Looking forward to this in a big way!
Jonesboy
It was cool to arrive early and see how well (and yet informally) people were welcomed as they arrived. The hot coffee was a definite plus. The intimate worship space maintained an informal feel with coffee tables at the back. The Narnia series set was simple but effective.
The band was really solid with strong leadership from Jason Holdridge, another of the pastors at Impact. I liked Jason even though he said to the congregation that when he closed his eyes while I was praying it sounded like Shrek was interceding instead! Ed Love preached a compelling message from Luke 2 on what the Christmas story penned by Luke would have meant for 1st century Christians - with particular reference to the shadow of Rome and the ever increasingly deluded Caesars. Enjoyed this (even after hearing it 3 times).
I got to do the announcements without introduction as if I were the pastor. Cunningly crafted power points asked the questions behind me: "Who is this guy?" "Is he allowed to speak?" "Why does he talk funny?" Seemed to go down OK and a good introduction to the 8 January service I will preach at.
Moment of the morning however came in the final service when the band failed to appear on cue. Phil grabbed a mike to cover, finally giving up the pretense and admitting he was playing for time with the quip: "They must be on a smoke break!"
It really does make a difference being here and sensing the heart of these people. I left refreshed and optimistic for how our two communities of faith could deepen a partnership together. Today Kristen and I are meeting with Katie Sullivan, our prospective youth intern and hanging with the Impact leadership team at their Christmas party.
But before that I get to go to Watermark and catch up with Steve Deur, Steve Thompson and Nate Smith. Looking forward to this in a big way!
Jonesboy
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