School for Congregational Development - 2010 - Nashville

     Attending SCD has been a mixture of learning, inspiration and connecting with old and new friends and colleagues.   So far my biggest take away is the importance for our churches, pastors, and conferences to develop a plan to make disciples for Jesus Christ.    INTENTIONALITY and ACCOUNTABILITY.  

     My daughter Ashley took Tae Kwon Do with her father.  I remember they were taught a mantra related to this:  make a plan, work your plan, evaluate your plan and start it all over again.   Without a plan we quickly go nowhere and do nothing.  I can sit in my office and without making a list either in my head or on paper, I can quickly arrive at the end of the day and realize I have gotten nothing of significance done.

     Why is it then that we would think that making disciples for Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world should be any different?   I am coming to understand that it is far better to plan, attempt and fail than to have no plan at all and get nothing done.

     I also know in my own life how difficult it is to stick with a plan if I am not accountable to someone.  Accountability is something I am working on in my personal life as well as professional.  My hope and prayer is that as I return to Alaska I can connect our churches to God's vision for them and by using intentionality and accountability we can all see more and more glimpses of the Kingdom of God.