So today’s the first full day of the NYWC in Sacramento, and it’s been a rock-awesome day so far!
Chris Folmsbee got it exactly right this morning when toward the end of the Critical Concerns course he reminded us to take the big ideas we’d learned there and adapt them once we got home into the big ideas we already use in our congregations. I think this goes for anything we hear in conventions, unless we’re working in a blank-slate church and need to download a whole new program into the place. The people we work with back home weren’t here with us; they need the info we get here, and the new ideas, but they need them translated into the language we use there.
Bishop Sherwood Carthen spoke at the first general session about the “cost of leadership” in God’s kingdom; he was teaching from the story of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness, and mentioned several purposes of wilderness experiences. The thing that got me the most was something I’d NEVER SEEN before, in the hundreds of times I’ve read and taught that story: Jesus was SENT to the wilderness by the HOLY SPIRIT. He didn’t wander there on his own, or get tricked into going there by Satan. Instead, the Father’s plan for Jesus included a time of testing and a time of loneliness.
The first point Bishop Carthen made about the purpose of the wilderness is that it “crucifies false spirituality.” That is, it strips away all my notions about my own plans and ideas and spiritual practices and lets God install His goals and guiding in me, at least when I see the wilderness for the gift of God that it is.
Today at lunch I discovered the Bread Store– exit the convention center at J street and turn right. Go about four blocks and it’s on the right-hand side of the street. I had a terrific Cuban sandwich and overheard many interesting conversations. The best thing about the place is this sign, which reads:
“Spot metermaid–ring bell–take home a free baguette!”
