Good Eats and Thoughts of a Contemplative Feeler

After twenty-eight years of The Bridge Church being my central tribe, it's time to spread my wings. A couple weeks ago, God opened up the opportunity for me to be the next Youth Director at Trinity Lutheran Church in Fresno. After much prayer and introspection, I accepted the position. I officially wrap up at The Bridge in a couple weeks and begin at Trinity Lutheran in June. A part of me is quite excited for this new opportunity. A part of me is still dumbfounded that this is happening. A part of me is also sad because I am leaving something that has been familiar my whole life--a place that has been my home and people who have been my family. Although The Bridge will always be my "home church" and the people at The Bridge will always be my family, the relationship is shifting in this new season. So why a Lutheran church? The easiest answer I can give people is that (1) God has been preparing me to leave The Bridge and (2) I need time away from the evangelical churc...

"How does it feel?" That is the question people have asked me since wrapping up my seminary studies three days ago. The honest answer is that it feels good, so very good. It feels good that--ten after graduating from high school--I was able to conclude my five-year seminary journey in the same location. It feels good that I no longer have to worry about writing papers or if I forgot to submit an assignment. It feels good that I don't have to spend 6-9 hours of my week in a classroom when I could be sleeping or relaxing. At the same time, I will miss this chapter of my life. I will miss the deep theological discussions. I will miss the camaraderie with people I never dreamed of interacting with before attending FPU. I will miss the hours of sitting with friends and venting about ministry, the state of the Church, and the state of the world. These friends have helped shape who I am today. Their words of encouragement and affirmation have helped me to see who I am and h...