I just got back from Pastor’s Prayer Retreat and had a great time connecting with the rest of our church’s staff as well as my friends who pastor from other churches. The most enjoyable times at those things are the meals and even the times when I step out of the main sessions and have a good, hilarious and meaningful conversation with like-minded friends.In our trip we also connected with our good friends Derek and Cicilia and we loved it – hanging out at the Keg and laughing and just enjoying friends you can be completely real with. They are awesome!!!

This last weekend was my friend Mike’s last day as Pastor of Youth Ministries at our Church. I am saddened because I know they are moving and will miss watching “guy” movies (movies our wives won’t watch) together, chatting about heart issues and meaningless issues (including what happened the night before on “The Daily Show”) and working on ministry stuff together. This last weekend was especially fitting and sad as I preached and Mike wrote and played a song based on the message. My hope and prayer for him is that God will use these next few years as he goes back to school to sharpen his skills and soften his heart. Anyways, Mike, if you read this, you are a great friend and gifted pastor and our family will miss your family very much – God’s speed.

It has been a while since I have blogged and I wanted to start again by writing something about a conference I was at two weeks ago: The 2005 Canaada Conference. I attended this conference as a community leader (I am co-chair of a Parent Advisory Committee) rather than as a religious leader (clergy). It was an incredible experience to sit with and next to people that I don’t normal rub shoulders with (I sat next to an International Trade Relations expert, a Canadian water expert, a Canadian Historian, was in ear shot of Premier Ralph Klein, etc). It was very informative to learn about the issues facing Canada’s future including immigration, aboriginal issues, and fresh water (environment). I was most shocked to learn about the dismal state of fresh water in Canada and how much of that environmental problem is going to play into our future as a country.

But that all leads me to an observation I want to make and feel I am in a unique position to make it. Being in church leadership for about 9 years and active and somewhat informed in the area of Postmodernity when it comes to the church, I was shocked to hear the similarities between the dialogue of my generation at this non-religious conference speaking to the current (modern) generation of leadership and that of a church leadership conference. I heard young leaders (18-35) continually calling on older leaders to be more authentic, honest, and genuine. I was shocked but to be honest also saddened, it seems to me that when it comes to the non-religious world of “modern” leadership, they seemed to be entering into dialogue about it with emerging leaders and moving forward acknowledging the need for change and even renewal.

It was been way to long since my last post and basically my excuse is… I have been busy.A lot has been going on with school, work and life in general. It is hard to believe that Nathanial, my oldest, in is Kindergarden and Lucas has started Pre-school. And, wow – our twins are now three – where does time go.Anyways I will attempt to write something more detailed soon but I did add my recent article to my website. At least I have updated that.

Last weekend I went on a short three day (two of which was travelling on a bus – yippy :() fishing trip to Kananaskis. It was amazing. Not only was the weather and the fishing incredible but hanging out with my friend Derek was awesome. It is always good to get out of your routine and connect in an authentic real way with a good friend in unforgettable surroundings. Although Derek might have caught the most fish, I did catch the biggest – I have to brag when I can because it rarely happens. And once again Derek, I am still very sorry about our fishing trip 5 years ago or so when I let your monster walleye go by accident. I know you have forgiven me but I am still sorry.