The NEXT Church National Gathering, themed “The Desert in Bloom: Living, Dying, and Rising in a Wilderness Church,” was my first ever opportunity to meet, dine, and interact with 675 Presbyterian pastors, lay leaders, and students.
https://nextchurch.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/04/featured-david-leong.jpg200398Linda Kurtz/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/01/NEXT-Logo-FINAL-Horizontal_lato-1030x229.pngLinda Kurtz2018-05-10 05:23:552018-04-13 11:00:34A First National Gathering
I come to the NEXT Church National Gathering every year to be reminded that I am one of many church leaders striving to teach the radical healing love of Jesus’ Christ.
https://nextchurch.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/04/featured-monday-communion.jpg200398Linda Kurtz/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/01/NEXT-Logo-FINAL-Horizontal_lato-1030x229.pngLinda Kurtz2018-05-09 05:03:572018-05-09 20:03:55Death to Bring About Resurrection
It was like we were living in “the dream of our future” at this gathering. I am not only talking about the big things but the little things, too, like the cardboard box altars where people could leave mementos and congregate.
As a lay leader in my church, I registered for three workshops, from which I knew I could bring back information to apply for our congregation and my job as program manager at a non-profit food pantry.
https://nextchurch.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/04/featured-desert-bloom-handwashing.jpg200398Linda Kurtz/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/01/NEXT-Logo-FINAL-Horizontal_lato-1030x229.pngLinda Kurtz2018-05-01 05:44:202018-04-13 10:56:23The Desert is in Bloom
But there are profound gifts to be found in creating collaboratively, especially for leaders of faith communities. How might our ministry shift as we practice being in the present moment, as we deepen our listening skills and trust our God-given instincts, and as we shift from an often-obsessive focus on product and outcome to appreciation for (and even delight in) the process?
A First National Gathering
/in National GatheringThe NEXT Church National Gathering, themed “The Desert in Bloom: Living, Dying, and Rising in a Wilderness Church,” was my first ever opportunity to meet, dine, and interact with 675 Presbyterian pastors, lay leaders, and students.
Death to Bring About Resurrection
/in National GatheringI come to the NEXT Church National Gathering every year to be reminded that I am one of many church leaders striving to teach the radical healing love of Jesus’ Christ.
The Dream of Our Future
/in National GatheringIt was like we were living in “the dream of our future” at this gathering. I am not only talking about the big things but the little things, too, like the cardboard box altars where people could leave mementos and congregate.
Guided by Faith
/in National GatheringAs a lay leader in my church, I registered for three workshops, from which I knew I could bring back information to apply for our congregation and my job as program manager at a non-profit food pantry.
Sustenance to Bloom
/in National GatheringIn order to bloom in said desert would require sustenance, at least for this pastor. A desert in bloom means hope above all else.
The Desert is in Bloom
/in National GatheringThe desert is in bloom. There is life on the other side of death. Resurrection is real.
Collaborative Creation
/in National GatheringBut there are profound gifts to be found in creating collaboratively, especially for leaders of faith communities. How might our ministry shift as we practice being in the present moment, as we deepen our listening skills and trust our God-given instincts, and as we shift from an often-obsessive focus on product and outcome to appreciation for (and even delight in) the process?