it's been awhile...

for the last few months, I would say since about Oct-Nov. last year, I really haven't been excited about the Rock. I kinda felt just aimless, even though we were going thru this book that was supposed to specifically help us find our purpose, I wasn't feeling it. I couldn't really get into the material, but I (hopefully) faked it well enough for the sake of the small group I was co-leading. And then afterwards, everything seemed to be floundering. There was nothing to get excited about, one of our pastors was on a leave, attendance was faltering, no one seemed passionate about anything, there was a disconnect. Part of the disconnect on my part may have been the upheaval of changing living situations, having one roomate get married, planning my own wedding while trying to find somewhere to live, etc. etc. all in the first 4 months of the new year. But it persisted even through the summer, where were we headed?

Little by little, the spark has slowly returned. Part of it has been running with my girlfriends, especially Angie, connecting again after a couple years of occasionally crossing each others' paths; and Melissa, being able to talk out any old thing while making our way around Calhoun. As we've prayed for each other, cheered each other on, loved and supported each other, I've caught a glimpse of what church is supposed to be like. Challenge, love, acceptance, all together. People that you're not afraid to share anything with, because they won't turn their backs or laugh.

I began to wonder: could the rest of the Rock find that treasure? And then Greg announced that he wasn't returning as our pastor. And even though it was hard, people united. We all understand what he has meant to the people that have known him. He was the very first person I met when I walked in the door at the Rock, he has been friendly and caring and an awesome teacher. But God has different plans for him right now. We could help each other see that, and bring God's perspective into what looks like a complete mess. Thru this last month or so, it seems that there's just been a growing awareness of community, trying to learn what it looks like, how it behaves, who fits in where. The small groups are trying to help people find it, and I'm so excited about the Retreat that I can barely stand it, I think Chad and his team are doing a tremendous job imagining the possiblities for that weekend. It's an amazing thing to look around you and see God moving, especially when other people see it and they catch on and look to do their part.