Next Thursday we will be hosting an event called Stories From Africa. Click the link for details.

Steven & Amy will be sharing a bit of their experiences while in Africa the past two years. Looking forward to that.

Also, Kyle Lent will be performing after the conversation. You won’t want to miss him.

Props to Charles and Crestview for hosting the event. They have one of the best “church” coffee shops around.

Can’t wait for this event.

We hit up many spots the past few days. Waterloo Ice House, Hula Hut, Moonshine Grill, Bablou’s, Halcyon Cafe and Kirby Lane. Let’s just say Austin is not lacking great cuisine.

Anyhow…My stomach is a bit larger, my wallet is a bit smaller and our friendships are bit deeper!

Shalom

In the meantime I’m hanging at a local coffeeshop enjoying a fresh cup of Kenya. Ah so good. Just what I needed.

Anyhow, on the drive from the office to the coffeeshop I was wondering how to take this vision and bring it to life. So many times we get dreams from God but those dream never become reality-instead the stay in our head and we grow frustrated. There is a big difference between a dream and vision. Vision needs legs and feet.

Pardon the interruption:

—-Crap, 5 teenage girls just sat next me to. The perfume is simply to much to handle, the conversation is fast and wild. *sigh* ——

So, here is my plan to bring this vision to life.

1. Prayer: It has to be God. Period!

2. Strategy: Who, how and when.

3. Processes: What do they teams need. Who is doing what and how much does will it cost?

4. Communication: Is the vision clear. Does everyone understand?

5. Wins: I’m going to identify the wins and celebrate.

6. Time Management: How long will each task take to fulfill?

Any other valuable information I can add. Let me know.

I was so freaking pissed-off I absolutely said nothing in fear that I would drop words that us pastor types aren’t suppose to say. Of course I had a smokin hot americano sitting next to me. I was thinking about taking the lid off and throwing it on the dude. Of course I did not want to waste it on that idiot since I needed the triple shot that existed within that 12 ounce cup.

Man, I’m soooo mad. I think I’m going to chat with that dude. Pray for me. I’m ready to brawl!

These boys are brave as they are taking an older church and basically re-planting it this fall. In the meantime they converted an old library room in their church into a cool cafe/ art gallery as a way to connect with their community. They did a great job.

As church planting has become the cool sexy thing to do. I think in the next 10-20 years we are going to hear similar stories of older churches like Crestview being re-planted. I think this is vital to urban church planting. We can redeem older churches, who may have buildings and money but are no longer able to connect with changing neighborhoods.

Earl Creps discusses in his book the importance of the “older” generation passing the baton to the “younger” generation. What Charles and Crestview are attempting to do is a great example. The baton is being passed, which is a good thing.

Anyhow, good coffee, good lunch and good friends. Can’t beat that. Please pray for these guys as they journey off the map and explore new forms of ministry and ways to embody the Kingdom in N. Austin.

As soon as I get home tonight. I’m going to fire up the coffeepot and enjoy a little bit of heaven.

Shalom