GlocalNet

I’m kind of sleepy--just got off the plane from Kenya--at Heathrow for a couple of hours, then home to Texas.  I have to finish my fourth book in the next 30 days. Won’t be easy, but I’ll get it done.  I’m excited about it.  I’m getting some really big boulders off my plate, getting into the new worship center, finishing the book, gathering a group of global leaders to network . . .  . At the same time, some things are warping up like never before. 

In some ways, this trip has changed the way I view some things that will impact what I write.  The challenge of all this will be bridging culture which translates into how people process, the pace they process, what they value, etc.  I’ve known Americans have a tendency to be ethnocentric of their culture, but so do other cultures as well. 

I think I’ve discovered the reason why church planting movements stay focused on a “tribe” or a “nation.” It’s a lot easier to do your own thing in your own context, than to partner.  If you partner, your agenda has to die and it has to become “our” agenda.  THEN, once you agree on the agenda, even if you speak the same language, the words mean different things. THEN, you realize it’s not all about words but what’s not said, etc., etc., etc., etc. This stuff is complex--the mission is simple.  Not complex to do “my” thing, very complex to do “our” thing. 

In spite of all of that, I’m more convinced than ever the church will be global beyond merely existing in different tribes and nations. It will be connected. It must be connected.  Everyone talks about the “Unity” needed in the church.  Unity, for unity’s sake, will never happen.  Unity, because we should all be nice and love one another, will never happen.  Unity, because God has called us to a common mission and purpose, is the only way we will die to ourselves and come together. 

On another note, the Kenyan’s are pulling for Barak O’Bama. He was on the front page yesterday. 

On another note, just read The Post American World by Fareed Zacharia.  He spoke of how India is being influenced by China which promotes peace and stability that leads to development.  India’s last electoral campaign centered on that theme.  China is a huge player in Africa. In Kenya, I saw a picture of the President--his slogan, “Peace and Development.” Sound familiar? 

On another note, my wife Nikki has been in Romania. She has absolutely loved it.  She’s doing health and hygiene training with Living Water there.  And, Mark Kimmel, she is wearing some “makeup” there! 

On another note, Jordan Fowler knocked it out of the ballpark Sunday. We have been growing a lot, but the building and growth has not changed our “ethos.” If anything, it’s getting stronger.  Mike Reed, you da’ man. Thanks to you and the staff and all the systems you guys have worked on the past year--awesome things are happening.  Churches never grow because of one reason, but many.