Silent Night

As we enter the Christmas season, the classic carol Silent Night has been getting a lot of my attention. I think there are a few reasons for that. The first reason is that it is tradition in our household that, starting on Thanksgiving day, every streaming device and radio is tuned to Christmas music 24/7, so I’ve been hearing it a LOT lately. More seriously though, the music of Silent Night is simply beautiful, and evokes an almost other-worldly tranquility. It draws us into the “heavenly peace” of the sleeping Christ child. It transports us beyond our selves and our circumstances. It calms us, and somehow reassures us that everything is going to be ok, now that Messiah is here.

Mainly, I think Silent Night has my attention because in some way, unlike other years, I am “ready” for Christmas to be here. Make no mistake, this has been a very busy, almost chaotic, year for me. But one thing I have learned this year is to embrace that “heavenly peace.” Every. Single. Day. Another thing I’ve learned is that “heavenly peace” does not just happen for me. I must seek it out and make space for it in my life. Every. Single. Day. Because without resting in that peace, I am an anxious overachiever striving in my own strength to make things happen. But when I do rest in that peace, I am content to simply follow Jesus - aka King of Kings and Lord of Lords - knowing that He will achieve His purposes in my life, and in the world.

The daily practice of “silence and stillness” has become absolutely essential for me this year. Different from scripture reading and prayer (also essential!), it is a practice of quieting the heart and mind in order to listen to the Spirit. The idea behind the practice is not that I “do” something, rather that I am simply present and available to receive from God. When I first started this practice I discovered just how impossible it was to actually quiet my heart and mind. Every little worry, every unresolved issue, and every to-do list item came marching out in a parade of distraction. It was frustrating. Until I learned this was an opportunity to give each of those things to God. “Lord I sense I’m worried about my doctor’s appointment today… but I trust you with that.” “Lord this war in Ukraine is horrible… but you are sovereign.” “Lord the Toyota is overdue for an oil change…" In so doing I not only build my faith, I also clear out a little more space for God’s peace to rule and reign in my life. Eventually as the distractions cease, there’s even some space to receive whatever God choses to give of himself in that moment. Perhaps it’s a word of encouragement, an experience of joy, or a sense of His love.

My wish for you this Christmas season that you may live - daily - in “heavenly peace” this year. Messiah is here, and everything is going to be ok. Be still (and silent!) and know that He is God.

Blessings-

Mike

PS - It helps to have a guide for the journey into silence and stillness. Entire books have been written on the subject, but you can get a simple taste of the practice in Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day by Peter Scazzaro.

Connect recap

Last weekend I spent it with my Communitas family in Denver. This was the first time we have connected as a team in three years. It was a refreshing time filled with connection, nurture, and dreaming. We connected with each other through informal conversations, shared meals, praying for one another. We were nurtured through moments of guided stillness and prayer and we dreamed of the future together through worship and team meetings. One thing we talked about that was super encouraging was what does Kingdom success look like. Worldly success is big and powerful but sometimes Kingdom Success is small and humble. Sometimes we don’t get to see the success in our lifetime. The slow work of Communitas is this- Kingdom success.

What does Kingdom success look like in your own life? Where are you seeing god at work even in the small things?

Ministry, a digital adventure

As I’ve stated in prior updates the experience of global lockdowns changed practically everything about missionary training. (Mostly) Gone - for trainers and trainees alike - are the expensive and time-consuming flights, hotels, and malfunctioning powerpoint projectors. And in their place? The 14 inch laptop screen and webcam. Also (mostly) gone? The opportunity for relationship and community that happens so naturally when we gather together in person. But all of our experience in Communitas suggests that relationship with church planters is at least as important as the information we convey to them.

That is the challenge I and my teams are working on. Over the past few years the general acceptance of online training has greatly expanded our reach to church planters around the world. Whether in Eastern Europe, South America, or in the US, more and more people are coming toward us for online training. The question is not how do we merely ‘train more’ but how do we effectively ‘relate well’ to these current and aspiring church planters?

That has been and will continue to be the focus of my work with Communitas for the foreseeable future. Writing (and rewriting) courses, exploring different media, reshaping presentation methods (think phone app instead of book) to enhance relationships while still delivering quality content. Perhaps more precisely, how do we foster relationships because of quality content?

My mission is to equip and empower others for their mission in the world. It’s a challenge and it’s stretching me - in good ways. Below is an example, a link to In the Room with Communitas North America, a Facebook Live event that my colleague Bethany and I were invited to recently to discuss our church planting guide, Dynamic Adventure.  Check it out, and while you’re there why not drop in on the Dynamic Adventure page too?

Grace and Peace,

Mike

breaking news: 5 Dynamic Adventure Updates from Around the World

I shared in my last newsletter about the slow ‘grind it out’ work that is going on in ministry. I am thankful though to be developing more team members for Dynamic Adventure so that together we can work on developing leaders that develop communities that look like Jesus. Here are 5 ‘first downs’ in the DA world.

1. Different translations of the book

   The DA book recently was translated into Dutch, which makes this our 9th translation. We also have the book in Spanish, Castilian, Portuguese (Iberian and Brazilian), French, Italian, and Russian. (And English of course.)

2. Trainings

   Like I mentioned in my newsletter, my team mate Bethany and I co-led our first (virtual) training together. More of a ‘train-the-trainer’ event, we helped a group of our UK leaders prepare their first training course at the Kings School of Theology in London. The King’s School training focussed on two areas: first, missional theology and ecclesiology, and second, missional practice in community. In other words the training was about information that leads to ACTION, which is what I get excited about! The first course quickly filled to capacity with twenty students, so a second course was added for later this spring!

3. DA Facebook group

   We are launching a private FB group for people who use the DA book for their faith communities. Our hope is that this will be a safe space for more learning and community.

4. DA best practices challenge

   Earlier this year we held a challenge on our social media platforms for people to share their stories of best practices, people shared some great stories but one in particular that I loved was from a church planter in Italy “Our focus is a ministry of ‘with.’ We initiate by asking others to be with us in our daily lives and activities so that they may experience what it looks like to follow Jesus. We follow Jesus' example in doing this by asking "come, walk with me..."

5. DA news letter

   We are also launching a DA newsletter. This newsletter will be for those who are missionally living/church planters who use the DA handbook with their team. For now it will be a quarterly letter sharing reflections, thought provoking questions and DA news.

I’m so thankful to have a growing team of people to keep the Dynamic Adventure dynamic. This is an exciting time for us. As I said in my last newsletter “Since we’re just past the Super Bowl, I’ll use a football analogy to describe recent ministry work. Sometimes there are big, flashy, fifty-yard pass plays that show up in the highlight reels, and other times there’s a long, slow running game where teams just ‘grind it out’ a few yards at a time. Both are important, as both move a team toward the goal”

An advent blessing

Lord Jesus,

Master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas.

We who have so much to do and seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day,

We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us.

We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom.

We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence.

We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light.

To you we say, "Come Lord Jesus!'

Amen.

- Henri J.M. Nouwen

5 things I am grateful for

“Gratitude” is one of the spiritual disciplines which I’ve learned to practice regularly. I practice gratitude personally, in community with team members, and with a specific group of committed “spiritual friends” in Communitas. Both ancient wisdom and modern brain science confirm that this is valuable practice for us because it sharpens our attunement to spiritual things, but is also beneficial for our physical and mental well-being.

The practice of gratitude does not need to be complicated. Often it’s simply a few minutes of silence and/or prayer asking God to help me recall a moment to be grateful for. Sometimes it’s enough to be grateful for a meaningful conversation. Other times it’s a wonderful meal with friends. A little less frequently I recall an amazing time where “God showed up” in an extraordinary way.

In one sense the “what” we’re grateful for is less important than intentionally cultivating a grateful heart, which in turn deepens our relationship with God. With that in mind, here’s my top five:

1. God’s unfailing, unconditional, eternal love.
   Even when I can’t or won’t love myself, God still delights in me, His child. Nothing can change that.

2. Every 24 hours a new day begins.
   For as long as God chooses to allow it, the sun rises and sets every day as the earth spins on its axis. With each new dawn, new hope, opportunities, and possibilities arise. For good or ill, what happened yesterday is now the past, and God’s good future lies ahead.

3. Safe harbor from anxiety.
   The world is nuts these days. So much so that it’s hard to imagine NOT being riddled with anxiety all the time. I’ve had my share. I’m glad God is bigger than the chaos. (see #1 and #2)

4. The people in my life.
   Beginning with my wife, Heidi, to my daughters, my parents, then friends, family, colleagues, teachers, and mentors. All of those whom I love and cherish, and those who feel the same way toward me. A fulfilling life is ultimately about relationships. And I am grateful for each and every person in my life.

5. Health.
   Having suffered the past few years with extreme back pain, and now healed from it, I know very well how easy it is to take good health for granted. Don’t. I certainly won’t ever again. 

Five things you might not know about me

1. I graduated from culinary school in New York City with a blue ribbon, and enjoy cooking for family and friends as well as to serve and bless others. Given the opportunity I would cook and eat Asian or Greek food every single day.

2. I also used to dabble in professional photography (those landscape photos on my home page are from yours truly).

3. I have two wiener dogs, Pippin and Jasper. If you are ever on a video call with me you might have the pleasure of hearing them in the background. 

4. My favorite country I have had the pleasure of visiting is Greece because of the wonderful friendly people, the history, the ancient architecture, AND THE FOOD! Close runners up are Lisbon, Portugal and Paris, France - for the very same reasons. 

5. I absolutely love live theater. I consider it one of the best perks of living in the New York City area. Wanna see me in my happy place? Take me to Broadway!