Lonely or Alone?

Last week I was in Pasco for the network's annual conference. It was good to see old friends and make some new ones. I connected with a number of other church planters during our trip. I returned home with a burden for church planters. Not just starting new churches, but caring for those people stepping out to start new churches.

In my conversations with planters a common thread emerged; feeling alone.

This was not an expression of loneliness. But in this adventure they and their team are out there alone in the wilderness of culture trying to cut a new trail. Not lonely, but disconnected.

I have experience this feeling myself. But because of my location near Seattle, there are a number of other planters near by. Ranging from 5-7 years in to not having launched yet.

It is interesting to go from 10 years of working in established churches with an office and co-workers to a not yet established church and local coffee shops as office space, meeting space and small group space. I miss the central hub of activity. I miss walking next door and bouncing an idea off of Brent. I miss playing jokes on others in the office. I miss being inspired by the team member who shows up early to pray and inspires the rest of the team to join. For these reasons I look forward to the day when we have a hub at Life at the Ridge. I don't want to pay for it, but there is great value there.

So now I find myself proactively looking for opportunities to encourage, inspire and just be there for those who are out there on mission.

I am connecting with a number of church planters in the next couple weeks, so I will try to keep you up to speed on those conversations.