New Youth Pastor in Castaic!

Lake Hills Church where I served for nearly 7 years has hired a new youth pastor. Kevin Malloy from Farmington, New Mexico is here and we are very excited for the youth of our commuity and our former students. May God bless this family as they bless, enrich, challenge, and build into the lives of these young people!

Good News!

As of September 1, we will have health, dental and vision coverage! Thanks to Starbucks generous policy of insuring part-time employees we will be able to get back to the doctor when necessary. We are especially needing to take the girls to the dentist. That should be fun!

A Revolution of New Forms

George Barna has written a revolutionary new book about the future of Christian spirtual formation, aptly named Revolution. A few of my blogging friends (tallskinnykiwi & jason evans) have commented on it... This books marks a turning point in Barna's career as a researcher and prognosticator of trends. For years Barna has written books primarily for and about the state of the institutional church and its ineffectiveness and what things need to be done to turn them around. This book is aparently different.

Rather than looking at what is saying it is broken, Barna searches the world and the underground movements of God and looks for hope of what might be in the future. He writes that in 2000 70 % of spiritual formation was local church based. By 2025 he sees that number dropping to about 30-35%. The majority of those who will find "it" elsewhere will do so through alternative christian communities...house churches, simple churches, cyber churches, etc.

I am eager to read this new book and see how our own movement plays into the greater movements that he describes. It does give hope, credence and hopefully some legitimacy to our work. We are currently trying to figure out where to go for our next season...

Bono on Grace

All over the blogosphere this week have been quotes and excerpts from Bono's interview with Michka Assayas. It seems like after 20 years people are finally getting it that Bono's life, politics, music, etc. is rooted in his faith. It may look different than our cookie cutter Republican conservative Christianity, but it is real! If Bono is anything he is authentic! I have been a fan of the band for decades now and will continue even more now!

For more info check out the book: Bono in conversation with Michka Assayas or the excerpt at http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/interviews/2005/bono-0805.html.

Reunion: Havasu Style!

We had a blast in the heat & water with family and friends for four fabulous days! Thanks for the memories, the pictures and the generosity of all of you who were there.

Gina, thanks for the hats for the girls and the effort to make it all the way from Bagdad!