Monday Morning Insights

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    Happy New Year!  How About You!?

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    Of course, New Year’s is also a great time for reflection, and I spend quite a bit of time doing that as well.  This year was a year of transition for me in many ways.  It was the first year that I transitioned out of running ChurchStaffing.com; which for me was pretty huge.  I sold the site at the end of December last year.  It was hard to give up my ‘baby’; but it was a good decision.  That also allowed me a good amount of time this year to re-format and spend some good time developing MMI.  That was a fun process for me because I have a real passion for MMI and connecting with other church leaders.  Then, in November, I started a new position with Leadership Network that will allow me to work with churches to help them multiply their innovation.  It seems like it will be a great match for my passions and goals.  So, 2006 was an exciting year.

    Obviously, if you’re reading this on New Year’s Day, you’re kind of taking it easy today as well.  Take a few minutes to share with us about your year (good and bad) and what you’re thinking today.

    I’d especially love to hear if there was one or more articles/posts here at MMI that are memorable for you.

    Have a great day… I’m really looking forward to the journey we’ll take together here at MMI in the next year!

    Todd

    I wanted to take just a few minutes to wish everyone a very happy new year! We celebrated quietly at a friend's house last night and had a great time. Today we have grand plans... absolutely nothing. I always enjoy the week between Christmas and New Year's because we usually just kind of lay around and relax; but by January 2, I'm usually really ready to get back to work and at least some kind of regular schedule. The same is true this year...

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    1. Peter Hamm on Mon, January 01, 2007

      I also am done with “laying around the house” too, and I’m itching to get back to it! Plus, the new puppy’s whining (we’re weaning her off that slowly but surely) is getting really old.


      06 was a great year, my first full calendar year in full-time ministry, and I’m looking forward to lots more!


      Highlights for the year? Fridays. Definitely…

    2. Camey on Mon, January 01, 2007

      2006 was the year that I found myself alive like I’ve never been. Interestingly enough, it happened in the midst of much dying, death, birth, and living. It was the year that Romans 14:7 wrote volumes when least expected.


      We go thru things in life sometimes wondering if there is any redeeming factor and/or value to them. 2006 proved to be the year when several were not only redeemed but transformed and made beautiful. Their price - ……. Suffering knows no bounds and neither does joy. Sometimes the very things we think will make us happy – end up being more content after walking away from. The people in our lives come and go – God has always been and will always be.


      Two pivotal men in our lives passed away this year – hubby’s grandfather and my dad. In truth, we learned more about God when having the privilege of taking care of their most basic needs; in helping them to live and die. The goal of graduating from seminary took place the day daddy passed away. Had I been walking across that stage instead of there by his side, well…. That would have meant that I had forgotten what it was like to know illness in the most personal of ways; in a sense like slapping the Great Physician in the face.


      I cannot wait to see what 2007 holds. May I be found guilty of loving like Jesus even if it means losing more than gaining in the eyes of the world?

    3. Jan on Mon, January 01, 2007

      Well, “laying around the house”  seems to be my lot in life for the next few months.  On the 27th of December two trucks thought my mini-van would make a great middle to their sandwich.


      So, I’ve got a broken knee cap, surgery on Friday, and it looks like I’ll be on crutches and not driving for the next two months at least.


      It seems God wants me contemplative in 2007.  It could have been way worse, and I’m thankful and blessed to be living and hopping away from a potentially life threatening accident.


      So, hmm what was the question?  Oh yea, reflections of the past year…


      2006 was a difficult one in ministry, but fruitful in individual lives.


      2006 was crazily busy and I kept asking myself if I should get a “real” job.


      2006 was full of laughter, intensity and meaningful relationships.


      I think over-all it was a great year.  We learned a lot.  And we served the Lord as best we knew how.


      In 2007, I KNOW I’m not getting a “real” job at least for awhile, and that’s a relief in some ways.


      I also know that God will have me doing some studying and that’s a good thing too.


      Thanks Todd for thought provoking discussions and the opportunity to connect with others in ministry.  The one that stands out in my mind was the discussion concerning quitting ministry.  Can’t remember the exact title right now.  But there was some truly deep sharing of the heart in that discussion.  And I thought it was very real and from the heart.

    4. Camey on Tue, January 02, 2007

      3 other than the one Jan mentioned comes to mind for some reason…


      1) When Was The Last Time - 12/18


      2) A Pastor on “Why I Don’t Like Church” - 1/23/06


      3) 5 Out of 6 Americans Agree - 4/24


      Thanks again Todd for MMI. And thanks also for being willing to include new voices here as well.

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