I chose the title Journeys with about five seconds’ reflection. A friend was helping me set up this, my first weblog, and I needed to insert a title as I got started. The more I have thought about it, though, it is a good descriptor.
I am on a life-long journey of faith. Following Jesus Christ has taken me on more than one journey. I am sharing a journey of faith my with my wife Becky, and we have logged thirty-five years, encountering together countless joys and sorrows, accomplishments and setbacks. I am grateful to God for a steadfast partner in this journey of faith.
Thirty-one years ago I accepted ordination as a Presbyterian pastor, and with that call has come three spiritual adventures to date, providing pastoral leadership to churches in Auburn, New York; Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania; and now Medford, New Jersey.
Concurrent with the pastoral workhas been a long-term call to the renewal of the church. This work has had its primary focus on the churches I have served, but there is an additional commitment to the larger church. Learning and practicing in the area of church renewal is a deeply held commitment.
The church, especially the church in the Western world, is in the midst of massive transformation. The new direction is summarized for the time being with the term, missional church. My learning curve is steep as I try to discover what I need to know to guide the church into greater effectiveness. This process of learning and applying new insights and models is a very exciting journey for me.
The primary journey for every Christian is the process of being shaped by God to become more and more like Christ. The classic tale in Pilgrim’s Progress of Christian’s journey to the Celestial City is my story as well.
This weblog includes my reflections on these journeys, and I invite you to join with me as a fellow traveler, joining the conversation and sharing the journeys.
Thanks, Rick, for the thoughtful article. Set in the context of a 500-year, or 1,000-year perspective on “what God is doing in and through the Church”, reflections on the struggle between orthodoxy and “heterodoxy” take on a different complexion, I believe. Your comments lead me to re-affirm that the issue of ORTHOPRAXY (what we do about what we believe) is a much more productive course than the ongoing struggle over who has THE TRUTH in their thought system.
By: Bob Hunter on December 5, 2007
at 8:07 pm
Rick,
You and Becky are blessed, life-long friends. We are filled with joy that you have this opportunity for renewal, and will be praying you through.
Love,
John and Val
By: John & Val Angove on March 30, 2008
at 3:57 am
Rick (and Becky): Grateful to the Lord our God for you as fellow sojourners in Christ…
Speaking of joy in the journeys–on the eve of your sabbatical, particularly with respect to the mention made in the article pointed to by the link included below about coastal drives in Scotland, thought this might be of interest….
Incredible coastal drives
“Coastal drives combine all the best features of scenic travel,” says Jamie Jensen, author of “Road Trips USA”. “Not only do these roads take you to the world’s most beautiful places, but the driving tends to be easy and low-stress: To find your way, all you have to do is keep that big expanse of blue water off to one side or the other.”
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23711860/from/ET/
By: rexespiritu on March 31, 2008
at 7:59 am
