the beginning...

As I sit here tonight, I prepare with great anticipation for the next steps I will be taking in my walk with Jesus Christ.

In this my first post to "...no longer central," I want to begin by telling you what has been going on in my life lately. Two weeks ago tomorrow, I was asked to meet with the Senior Pastor and Senior Associate Pastor of the church for which I was working. In that very cordial meeting, they regretted to tell me that they felt that I was not a successful fit for the program nor the congregation. I have not told a lot of people outside my immediate circle of friends for a couple of reasons. First, I just haven't felt like answering questions. Second, part of me has simply been embarrassed. Let's face it friends, I have been fired 3 times in the past 5 years from the institutional church. I have felt so called to be in ministry with students, but I just can't seem to make it work. For this reason, I have decided to step away from ministry within the institutional church, at least for now. A nine year chapter of my life has officially come to an end.

So here I am, in the blank space. You know, the space in between the last word of a chapter and the bold title at the beginning of the next chapter. I'm not totally certain of what God has store for chapter two, but I going to really embrace my time in this blank space. That brings me to the inspiration for this new blog. Grant me just a few more lines?

I had a painting in my office and it now hangs in my home. It was given to me by a dear friend, Jamie Sanders. Jamie is one of the most phenomenal men of God I have ever met in my life, and does some of the most amazing artwork I have ever set my eyes on. On that painting, Jamie has poured out his heart through these words:
"I tried keeping rules and working my head off to please God and it didn't work. So I quit. Christ's life showed me how and enabled me to do it. I identified myself completely with Him. I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is NO LONGER CENTRAL."
This summer I am setting out to find out exactly what the next chapter of my life is going to be about. I have accepted a job with YouthWorks Mission Camps (www.youthworks.com) where I will be working with Senior High Youth Groups on a weekly basis to help them do mission work in the area we are located. I am very excited about my mission assignment. My team will be working with the Cheyenne people in the northern territory of Montana (about an hour outside of Billings). This is going to be very different for me. I will be working under the very capable leadership of people that are younger than me and I am certain to be the old man on the team. In addition, some of you may know about me, I am more of a, um well, how do I say this? Inside work guy. We will be doing home repair and painting all summer. Should be interesting to say the least. This blog is going to be updated on a regular basis if you would like to join me on this journey from the comfort of your laptop.

In closing I want to thank God for all of the beautiful things that have transpired in my life. I am so grateful for my friends and partners in ministry and life. I am grateful for God's provision (In the month of May my car paid off, my insurance cut in half and I got a roommate that cut expenses in half.). I am extremely grateful to have for the first time in a long time, a Pastor that cares about me and not just my job performance (Dr. Tom Harrison, Broadmoor Baptist). Lastly, I am grateful for the opportunity God has given me to have another chapter in life.

I will write again next Monday from Denver, Colorado. I hope you will take this journey with me in your prayers and reading.

Lance