I Closed A Church Once.

In mid 2007, God gave me the opportunity to become the Lead Pastor of a struggling (but awesome and effective) church. I’d been on staff with the church since its birth (two+ years earlier). It was a great church, one my family and I believed in wholeheartedly. The other three staff members were not only amazingly talented leaders, but they were also my friends. In April of 2008, we closed the church. It was one of the most surreal seasons of my life. Although painfully difficult and stressful, it was also one of the most peaceful and healthy times of my life. And, against all odds, this church closing was actually peaceful and healthy…it really was.

During this season, I had a personal blog where I posted a lot of what was happening and what I was processing. When my family transitioned to GA, I closed that blog and started this blog. Since then, God has unexpectedly given me opportunities to talk to churches who find themselves in difficult situations. I think our experience has helped and encouraged them, and God has also used our experience to teach them some things.

Because there are struggling churches out there and because all of those blog posts are gone, I wanted to make some of the posts from that season available here. Below, you’ll find some (not all) of the posts and videos from that time. If you’re in a difficult situation, I hope you’ll be encouraged and challenged. If I can help in any way, please go to the So, Tell Me About Yourself page and let me know.

Common Misperceptions DATE: 12/03/2007
You know, starting a church is hard work.  It’s not easy.  And it takes a lot of people and financial resources.  Being a Strategic Partner of North Point does not make starting a church any easier.  Over the last year or so, I’ve heard some common misperceptions people have of us and the other Strategic Partners.  Especially when it comes to finances.  Here are some of those:

1. Being in partnership with North Point means there are regular financial donations from them to us.  Wrong.  North Point lends to the Partner and the lending is finite.  And it is lent, not given.

2. North Point makes matching gifts.

3. Because of the NP “brand” they would never let a Partner close because it couldn’t sustain itself financially.

4. Because we launch with excellent environments from day one and all the tangible “stuff” for those environments is in place from the start, those items are paid for already.

5. Partner staff salaries are covered by NP.

Just some things I’ve heard others say that are not true.

More Common Misperceptions DATE: 12/04/2007
I’ve got giving on my brain this week.  It is such an important part of our world.  More importantly, it is such a telling part of my life and my family…our giving says a lot about us.  The same is true for you too.

Not only are there common misperceptions about how North Point relates to us financially, but there are also common misperceptions about people giving to the church.  In my experience, here are a few of the most common misperceptions…in all churches.

1. A handful of generous benefactors are all that are needed to sustain the church.  Wrong!  Even if it were true at your church, that is not a healthy way to resource a church.

2. My small check given at a regular interval doesn’t amount to much.  Wrong!  It matters a lot.  By the way, if it doesn’t matter at your church, give it to Catalyst where it matters a lot.

3. Most Christians understand biblical tithing.  Wrong!  Very few Christians understand or practice biblical tithing (giving 10%).

4. Most people don’t give to the church because they are greedy.  Wrong!  Most people don’t give because they are fearful of not having enough money at the end of the month.

Culture DATE: 12/13/2007
In a recent meeting, I heard a guy I really respect and like say,

“Don’t forget we’re building a culture not accomplishing a task.”

I love that!  For too long, Catalyst has been accomplishing tasks.  It’s time to create a culture.  So that’s what we’re working on as we end 2007 and launch into 2008.  Next year is going to be incredible!  Look out!

Warning: Transparency Coming DATE: 01/04/2008
Catalyst is still a new church and starting a new church, especially in Greenville, is very difficult.  We’ve had some amazing stories to tell in our short history, but we’ve also faced some major challenges.  One of the challenges we just have never been able to get on top of is the financial challenge.

Our financial challenges have happened for numerous reasons.  Misperceptions, vision leaks, and laziness to name a few.  At the end of the day, though, our financial challenges have not gone away.

On Sunday, I’m going to challenge all of us to begin getting rid of this financial distraction once and for all.  It will involve praying big, giving big, committing big, and risking big.  CCers, come ready to step up.

A warning to anyone who reads this blog…I’m going to be very open and honest about our challenges over the next week or so.  I hope you’ll join us in praying big, giving big, committing big, and risking big.

The Stage Is Set DATE: 01/06/2008
Wow, so much I want to post about today and what is going on here.  Today starts a week or so of total transparency about a subject most leaders and churches avoid talking about…our finances.

We’ve set the stage for God to do something big.  We’re praying big.  We’re giving big.  We’re committing big.  And we’re asking big.

We’ve had some amazing stories to tell in our short history, but we’ve also faced some major challenges.  One of the challenges we just have never been able to get on top of is the financial challenge.  Our financial challenges have happened for numerous reasons.  Misperceptions, vision leaks, and laziness to name a few.  At the end of the day, though, our financial challenges have not gone away.  Catalyst is not receiving enough money to continue existing beyond this month.

Here is what has to happen by January 15 for us to be able to move forward strategically (we won’t move forward any other way) beyond January:

1. We need to receive $35,000 above our normal offerings today and next Sunday.
2. We need to have commitments from 35 families / individuals that they are going to continue or become regular percentage givers by giving 5% of more to Catalyst Church.

We’re giving everyone (that means you) four ways to respond:

1. I will pray big.
2. I will give above my normal offering today or this week.
3. I will remain or become a regular percentage giver by increasing my percentage to 5% or higher.
4. I will go to bat for Catalyst and talk with others who may give this week.

We’ve set up itsUPtoUS.org for you to visit and see the video of me talking about this and to respond.  If you read this far (sorry this post is so long), please respond in some way.  Be a part of what God is getting ready to do!  Thank you!

Two Big Questions DATE: 01/10/2008
I have not heard these questions asked much, but I think they’re two questions that deserve answers.

1. How did we get here?
Catalyst is still a new church and starting a new church, especially in Greenville, is very difficult.  We’ve had some amazing stories to tell in our short history, but we’ve also faced some major challenges.  One of the challenges we just have never been able to get on top of is the financial challenge.  Our financial challenges have happened for numerous reasons:

1. Misperceptions.  Specifically misperceptions concerning our relationship with North Point and giving in general.  We’ve done a poor job communicating in these two areas.  That is going to change!
2. Vision leaks.  We’ve never done an adequate job casting vision.  That is going to change!
3. Laziness.  Yes, people get lazy in their giving and decrease their giving or become less consistent over time.  I think this is changing!

2. Why can’t we just cut expenses?
We’ve already done that.  We have the second lowest expense line among all 15 of the Strategic Partners.  And if we cut expenses any further we become something we have no interest in becoming (which to this point we’ve avoided).  We have no interest in…

1. turning Catalyst into just another church in Greenville.
2. Catalyst ever being a church to which you attend but never invite your friends who don’t go to church.
3. Catalyst ever being a church where all ages don’t find God irresistible every time they walk in.
4. just existing.

It’s Up To Us Update DATE: 01/11/2008
Well, it’s Friday.  Four more days of It’s Up To Us and then we’ll know what our next steps are.  It’s been an exciting week.  Tons of amazing stories (scroll down to read some or check out Jake and Ryan’s blogs).  A lot of people taking ownership of Catalyst.  The situation has motivated CCers instead of discouraging them!

But it’s been a nervous week as well. When you have to draw a line in the sand and say if these two things don’t happen in ten days Catalyst will close, you worry some.  Forget that this is my job, Greenville needs Catalyst.  There are people who come to Catalyst who will not go to another church in Greenville.  Lives are changed every Sunday.  People discover an irresistible God and grow in their relationship with God every Sunday.  The thought of this stopping is enough to consume your thoughts and cause some stress.

Where are we as of today?

We’re over 2/3 of the way to reaching our 35 family / individual regular percentage givers goal. We really need to surpass this goal because this is where we’ll find health and sustainability.

We still have a lot of work to do on the $35k goal.  We’re not counting any money until it is in our hand.  “The check is in the mail.” and “We’re giving on Sunday.” are encouraging, but the bank won’t let us deposit that.  Crazy bank!  Seriously, we’ve got to see some serious movement on this goal over the next few days.

There you have it.  That’s where we are right now.  I have never been this excited and nervous at the same time.  It’s great!  Go to and tell your friends about www.itsUPtoUS.org.

In Two Places At Once DATE: 01/13/2008
I was in two places at once this morning.  I was live at the hospital with my new son.  And I was on video at Catalyst.  Ryan and his wife came by the hospital yesterday so we could shoot a video updating everyone at Catalyst this morning where we are with It’s Up To Us (and they brought us dinner and some goodies).  Here’s the video we showed at church this morning.

Since this video was shot…

We’ve exceeded our regular percentage givers goal!! That is unbelievable to me. If you have not signed up yet, please, sign up! We need to keep increasing the number of RPGers because this is what will prevent this from ever happening again.

We need to see a lot happen on the $35,000 goal. We need to see more people give to this goal. So…give! And tell your Catalyst stories to those who can give! Mail checks or give online. Just make sure you email or call us by Tuesday and confirm what you have given. You can also drop a check by the office.

Okay, This Is It DATE: 01/14/2008
This is it!  We’re down to the last day of It’s Up To Us.  Here is what has to happen…

We need $10,000 by the end of Tuesday.  That’s it!

I have no doubt some of you reading this can give the whole $10,000.  Some of you can give $5,000.  Some of you can give $500.  Some of you can give $25.  Whatever you can give to this final $10,000, please give right now!

Mail checks or give online.  Just make sure you email or call us as soon as you put it in the mail or give online.  We need to know TODAY you’ve given and what amount you’ve given since we will not actually receive the money until after Tuesday. You can also drop a check by the office on Tuesday.

Those of you who have emailed or called friends, blogged about this, etc., please go to bat for us one more time.  Email or call your friends one more time.  Blog one more time.  Let them know we only need $10,000.

Thank you, everyone!  You do not know how amazing this week has been for me.  More news when there’s news to share.

Keep Shouting DATE: 01/16/2008
Nine days ago we announced two ridiculous goals.  Ridiculous because we gave no warning and because the goals amounted to numbers we’d never even come close to in this time span.  Ridiculous because both goals had to be met…not just one.

Well, the numbers have been totaled.  Some huge prayers have been prayed.  People gave like they never have before.  People committed to continued giving.  And people asked friends and family to give to Catalyst.

The stories we have to tell from the past nine days are humbling, inspiring, and motivating.

Well…

Catalyst is alive!!!  In fact, it is more alive than it has ever been!!!

* 45 families / individuals committed to being regular percentage givers!  The goal was 35.
* We received $35,401!  The goal was $35,000.

I am shocked…but not shocked at all.  I am speechless…but cannot stop talking about it.

We are alive not because of the numbers above.  We’re alive because CCers took ownership of Catalyst and said it must exist.  You shouted,

“Greenville needs Catalyst!”

Thank you!  Thank you for the role you played in this season of Catalyst!  You literally made the difference.

That’s it for now.  But this is just the beginning of It’s Up To Us.  It is time for Catalyst to move forward in ways we and Greenville have never seen before.  I can’t wait!

What’s Next For Catalyst DATE: 01/21/2008
So how do you follow up a challenge like It’s Up To Us?  Take a well deserved rest?  Ride the momentum wave?  Be satisfied?  Think again!

This is a fresh start for us to lead people and cast vision.  It is time to move forward with conviction, strategy, and intentionality.  So that’s what’s next for us!

We’re going to move forward being true to our model.  Our model is not the only model that works, but it is the only model we know.  And it is proven to work very, very well all over the world.  So…more than ever, we are going to work our model and fight for our model.  And it is going to work!

We’re no longer going to tolerate distractions.  We’re going to deal with them quickly and move forward.

We’re going to give CCers and others more opportunities to show their commitment to Catalyst and what we’re trying to do in Greenville.  During IUTU, we saw so many CCers take ownership of Catalyst and make sure Catalyst moved forward.  We have more right people than ever to move forward.

When I communicated this to our paid and volunteers staff, I told them that I hoped all this motivated them…and that if it did not, this was not the time for them to be a leader at Catalyst.  I loved some of the responses I got back from them!

We’re ready to move forward!

Catalyst Church Core DATE: 01/30/2008
We’ve created a new group at Catalyst.  I’m really pumped about this group!  It is a group of attenders who commit to everything…giving, volunteering, investing and inviting, and being in a small group.  They commit to supporting the leadership of Catalyst.  They commit to allowing us to hold them accountable for these things.  They commit to even recruiting others to join the group.  What do they get in return?

Nothing.

No vote.  No special meetings.  No insider information.  Maybe an occasional email from me.  It’s all for God.  That’s it.  They get nothing in return.  They even have to commit that they are not in this group for themselves.

Sounds like a group everyone’s lining up to be in, huh?  We know it isn’t for everyone.  But we also know it is exactly what some people are looking to be a part of.

The truth is, though, the Core actually gets something very significant.  They get the fulfillment of God using their money, their time, their relationships, their energy, etc. all for the sake of seeing people led into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.  I want that so badly for all CCers!

If you’re ready to join the Catalyst Church Core or want more information, go here.  If you want to see some Core FAQs, go here.

The Brand New It’s Up To Us DATE: 02/05/2008
Catalyst Church will always be up to us.  It will always be up to people giving financially and inviting their friends.

If people truly want a different kind of church in Greenville, a church they can partner with, a church who will create irresistible environments and trust God to change lives…then they will make sure Catalyst moves forward in strategic ways.

Our initial It’s Up To Us challenge was just the beginning of CCers taking ownership of what God wants to do.  It’s Up To Us is moving forward with a new look to help see more and more people led into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.

Check out the new site.  Read the stories.  Most of all, submit your story.  We want this to be a place where you can go to share your stories about what God is doing in your life and how he is using Catalyst in your life and your friends’ lives.

Stumbling All Over Themselves DATE: 02/05/2008
In my world, vision is everything.  Giving follows vision.  Volunteering follows vision.  Inviting follows vision.  You get the picture.  For a new and different kind of church to do more than just exist, vision must be communicated in numerous and compelling ways.  Vision is everything.

I was reminded several times today how vital it is to communicate our vision.  And how vital it is for me to communicate and model our vision.  Throughout the day, I kept thinking of Proverbs 29:18 from the Bible.  For some strange reason, I (and most people) know this verse as it is written in the King James Version of the Bible: “Where there is no vision, the people perish…”  Well, I looked it up in another version of the Bible and it read:

“If people can’t see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves…”

What a tremendous picture.  People stumbling all over themselves because they can’t see what God is doing.  Where God wants to take them.  What the future should look like.

For too long Catalyst Church has been stumbling all over ourselves.  It’s not that we haven’t had a vision.  It’s that the vision was not communicated.  Or communicated clearly.  Yes, we’ve come a long way and seen tons of life-change.  But we have not even scratched the surface of what could and should be happening.

It’s time to stop stumbling all over ourselves and walk unified in the same direction.  Here we go!

Mysterious God DATE: 04/09/2008
As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.

Just as you’ll never understand the mystery of life forming in a pregnant woman, so you’ll never understand the mystery at work in all that God does.

Just as you cannot understand the path of the wind or the mystery of a tiny baby growing in its mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the activity of God, who does all things.

I thought this was a really cool verse (the same verse found in different translations) found here.

The Second Worst Day Of My Life DATE: 04/13/2008
The worst day of my life was in 2000 when the doctor told us we could not have children on our own.  Devastating.  Eight years and two kids later, everything turned out better than we ever thought it would.

The second worst day of my life was today.  I announced this morning that April will be Catalyst Church’s last month.  Yes, you read that correctly.  Catalyst will close at the end of this month.

Our reasons for closing are primarily financial.  We just are not seeing enough in giving to sustain us in a healthy and strategic way into the future.  We always want to be true to our vision and model, and this cannot happen if we continue to move forward in this manner.  We never want to be just another church.

The decision was immensely personal and difficult for me, my wife and I, and our staff and their spouses.  We realize the decision hits everyone else at a very personal level also.  So many people have invested themselves into the vision and model.  If you’d like to see the letter and email we sent to CC-ers, here it is.

We’re going to close Catalyst the right way!  We’re going to honor everything God has done over the past two years.  This may sound strange, but I am excited about what we have planned.  We’re going out the right way!  If you’d like to see our schedule for the remainder of April, here it is.

Needless to say, I’ll be talking a lot about lessons learned, next steps, how we’re trying to close Catalyst really well, etc. on the blog.  Tune in for some unique posts.  We really want to help others learn from this season.  If you have specific questions, please let me know.

And please pray for CC-ers as they process what is happening.  Also pray for our staff as we help CC-ers process this.  Pray for our staff as we look for jobs as well.

Hesitant To Do This DATE: 04/13/2008
I’m hesitant to do this because it was such a personal thing, but I think it could be helpful for CC-ers who weren’t there this morning to see this. This is video of me announcing our news this morning. Thank you, Ryan, for making this video available.

The Hardest Person To Tell DATE: 04/14/2008
How do you communicate to people that you are closing their church?

Very carefully.

How did we do it?  We identified people we felt needed to know before we made the announcement on Sunday morning.  We then divided these names up among the staff based on who had the closest relationship with that person.  Then we spent a couple of days communicating the news to them.  Talk about a rough couple of days.  Each of those conversations was so difficult.  These people were the people who had given their time, muscle, relationships, energy, money, etc. to Catalyst.

As I went through my list, I noticed I kept putting off one person.  I just did not want to sit down with this person and tell them what was happening.  Who was the hardest person for me to tell?

My six year old daughter.  I don’t know exactly why.  Maybe it’s because she has spent considerable time in Waumba Land and UpStreet.  Maybe it’s because she has worked and sweated along side of us helping set up and tear down our environments.  Maybe it’s because she gives to Catalyst and invites her friends to Catalyst.  Maybe it’s because when she thinks of church, she thinks all churches are like Catalyst.  Maybe it’s because I did not want to disappoint her.

I finally told her on Saturday afternoon.  She was okay with it.  Our conversation ended something like this:

Her: “Who had to make the decision?”
Me: “Me.  I had to be the first person to say it.”
Her: “It’s something you didn’t want to do, but you had to do it?”
Me: “Yes.  That’s exactly right, sweety.”

The wisdom of a six year old.

My Biggest Fear DATE: 04/14/2008
What is my biggest fear right now?  It’s a tie.

Fear #1: People will become angry with God.

Fear #2: The “unchurched” people who connected with Catalyst and called Catalyst “their church”, won’t continue going to church.

I pray hard all the time that these two things won’t happen.  Our volunteers gathered Sunday morning before church and prayed for these two things.  Please pray for these things.

The Second Hardest Person To Tell DATE: 04/15/2008
It was hard to tell everyone our news.  I hated sitting down with volunteers and telling them the news.  I hated standing in front of everyone on Sunday and telling them the news.  It never got easier.

My daughter was the hardest person for me to tell.  In a close second place were our friends Brian and Nikki.  Those of you who know me well, know I talk about them all the time.  I love both of them.  I met Nikki a couple of years ago when I started playing soccer.  During our second season, she asked me if I would perform their wedding ceremony.  I said yes, and my wife and I got to know both of them even better as we got ready for their wedding.  Their wedding was, well, different.  That is a picture taken right after the wedding.  I’m Ricky Bobby, then Brian, Nikki, and my wife.  No, I’m not kidding.

Over time, Brian and Nikki started coming to Catalyst.  They’d both been out of church for a long time.  She volunteered some.  They started tithing.  Yes, giving 10% even though they were new to church, and he was without a job (she is okay with me sharing all that).  They were always inviting friends to come with them.  And most Sundays they had friends with them.

It was hard to tell them Catalyst is closing.  But I got real excited when they asked what church they should go to next!

Please, God, take care of people like Brian and Nikki and help them find another church they love…even more than Catalyst.

The #1 Question DATE: 04/15/2008
I’ve been surprised these past few days at the number one question we’ve been asked.  I thought some of you would ask it, but not this many people.  And I certainly didn’t think it would be the first question almost every person would ask.

The number one question, in some form or another, has been…What are you going to go do?  And you’ve followed it up by asking how you can help, how we’re doing, etc.

Wow!  You didn’t ask something that has to do with you.  You asked about us.  I’m not sure why, but I was not expecting that.  I thought since we are closing your church, you would care more about yourselves…not because I don’t think highly of you.  But isn’t that how normal people would respond?

You’ve blown me and the staff and our families away!  Thank you to everyone who has spoken to us, emailed, called, texted, sent a message via facebook, etc. asking how I am, how we are, and what our next steps will be.

To answer your questions…I’m okay.  This is a weird time for all of us, but you have no idea how God has used you to encourage me and us.  And I don’t know what my next step will be yet.  I want to know, but I don’t know.  Hopefully soon.

20/20 Wisdom DATE: 04/16/2008
Some people (mostly people in our line of work) have asked me to share some of the lessons we’ve learned.  They want to know what we’ve learned that could help them avoid getting to where we got.  Over the last few months and days, I’ve had a lot of time to think about what I’d do differently.  Hindsight is always 20/20, you know.

Here are some of the lessons I’ve learned.  I won’t elaborate much.  Let me know if you want more details.

1. Start the right way.  Emphasis is on “right” and not on “start.”  Every decision made and every system created at the beginning will affect everything else as you move forward.  You can always start later.

2. Pick the right people to be in the right roles…from volunteers to paid staff.  Find people who get what you’re trying to do, why you’re trying to do it, and how you’re going to do it.  Then put them in the right roles.  Don’t be too quick to put someone in a role.  And just because someone comes along, it does not mean they are the answer to your prayers.

3. Be who you are and nothing else.  Know what you want to do.  Know how you’re going to do it.  And don’t do anything else.  And don’t let others sway you from your focus.

4. Create a giving culture.  Lead people to become generous givers (preach it, teach it, celebrate it).  Help people see the connection between giving and stories of how you’re accomplishing your vision.  Hopefully you’ll do #5 so well they will give generously to you.

5. Constantly talk about your vision.  Talk about it so much that others become better vision casters than you.  And then realize you haven’t talked about vision enough.  You cannot talk about it too much.

Catalyst’s Last Sunday DATE: 04/20/2008
Today was Catalyst’s last Sunday.  It was incredible.  It was weird.  It was special.  It was sad.  It was fun.  It was awkward.  Looking back on the morning, we absolutely went out the right way!

What did we do?

We worshiped a lot.  And, man, did it sound great!  Some people shared stories.  I’ll never get tired of hearing stories of life-change.  We shared communion (we normally would not do this on a Sunday but the rules were different today).  It was a very meaningful time.  And we prayed together.  A bunch of people praying for God to be glorified and for him to continue doing what he is doing in their lives and in Greenville was powerful.

I am so thankful we were able to end things the right way.  I am so thankful we were able to end things true to the way Catalyst Church did things.  I am so thankful we were able to end things in a way that truly honors God.  And I am so thankful Catalyst Church was able to play a part in God’s story.

I Don’t Love Leading DATE: 04/23/2008
I love leading a church.  I love leading a team.  I love leading people.  I love leading a family.  I love leading a lot of things.  But, I have learned, I don’t love leading a yard sale.

There is nothing about a yard sale that I like.  Nothing.  I’d rather throw away or give away everything.  I just don’t like any of it.

This week we have been focused on selling our assets.  It’s something we need to do.  So, we’re having a BIG Yard, Garage, Office, Home, Church…call it whatever you want…Sale!

I’ve taken on the role of the Internet Sales Manager.  Sarah has taken the lead for the sale and set us up for huge success.  The rest of us have followed her lead on this.

We seriously have all kinds of things you and your friends are looking for!  Things like…

* kid’s items
* home furniture, decor, & items from Ikea, World Market, Target, & more
* office furniture & supplies
* church stuff

Just for CC-ers and churches…come by our offices today and Thursday from 8:30a to 4:30p to purchase stuff.  On Friday from 8:30a to 5:30p and on Saturday starting at 6:30a, we’re selling to everyone else.

Our offices are located at 213-A Riverside Ct / Greer 29650 just off I-85 at the Pelham Rd exit (near the intersection of The Parkway and Batesville Rd).  Map.

Tell your friends!

And Reality Sets In DATE: 04/27/2008
Announcing Catalyst’s closing, talking with numerous CC-ers and others, and having our last Sunday were surreal.  Almost dream-like.  None of it seemed real.  Well, reality is beginning to set in.

We’ve sold almost all of our assets (we still have some portable walls and pipe and drape if you’re in the market…let me know by Tuesday).  We were able to do this so much faster than I thought…thank you to everyone who bought something.

Our offices are now empty.  No desks.  No nothing.  And this means no where for the staff to go.  I will hate not seeing Jake, Ryan, and Sarah on Monday morning.

We have a for sale sign in our front yard at home.  We have no where to move yet, but we felt like the right thing was to get the ball rolling in this department.

This morning my family went to Starbucks and Panera Bread for breakfast.  Our first Sunday with no Catalyst Church.  No trunks to carry up and down steps.  No Waumba Land or UpStreet.  The first Sunday in two years with no stories of life-change.

And probably the most consuming part (personally speaking) is not knowing what our next steps will be.  As reality sinks in, all of my thoughts go to this.  Yes, some conversations have happened.  But no job lined up.  Pray for us concerning my next job.  And pray for Jake, Ryan, and Sarah concerning their next steps too.

Hello, reality.