No Excuses

Hello everyone.

I have once again fallen into the abyss of busy life and let me blog go to the wayside. Sadly, I can’t even say ‘once again’ as my stint of posts was such a nano-blip that I am technically on my first round of neglect!

To update everyone on this ogre’s life — much has changed.

I am now back on the campus of MidAmerica Nazarene University, but this time I am on staff with a new ministry to pastors. The Sullivan Center for Innovative Ministry started up in March, as a way to equip and connect our pastors while also building an online community for ongoing support, fellowship, and dialogue. The website is my first adventure into designing and building from scratch. I am still figuring a lot out, but am having a blast getting it all going.

The efforts of the Center will initially focus on Nazarene Pastors in the midwest region (Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, and North & South Dakota), but so much of it is already going to be open to everyone. We are going to be starting some online book discussions through Blackboard, and those will be available to anyone who wishes to participate. I will keep you posted.

In addition to the website, I also handle the print design and administrative elements. It has been a little crazy getting all of this lined up, but I am so excited to see how we will be able to serve all the pastors who want to be a part of the community.

I am still working with the chaplaincy program at Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary one day a week. My group of guys has (for various reasons) gone from twelve to six. This smaller group is quickly finding a level of intimacy and a safe place together, to share and grow.

The last piece of news is that my wife and I just bought our first home! We are very excited to close and take possession this Friday. We will have to move slowly over the month of August, working around our brother’s wedding and Dana’s business trip to DC.

Anyway, I truly miss the blogosphere — reading the thoughts and ideas of others, conversing on new ideas through comments and emails, and sharing my own thoughts here at orgepraxy.

I hope to get back to all of this by intentionally making time for it each day. I also hope to generate more conversation from my readers in the comments section, so anyone who has been blogging awhile and has some suggestions there — please send them my way!

For all of you who have happened upon this post by checking my site for updates, or because you kept me in your feed — thank you for sticking with me. Hopefully, I can get back up to speed in the coming weeks!

Peace & love!