A full report on what's happening in Bend

Here is an excerpt from something I wrote up for church recently about what's happening here in Bend with the ministry that I am a part of. Probably the most expansive description I can give at this point. The whole thing is at this link. I figured this would be a good way to fill you in on what's happening.

Increasingly, almost exponentially, connections are being made. As people find my blog and word gets out through various members of our community, conversations strike up and relationships begin to be built. With each new person comes a whole new set of connections and relationships. It is only within the last month that we have really begun to clarify what our vision for this community is to look like. It takes even longer for those who are not in leadership to “get it.” Along with this clarification of vision has come an understanding of how we might be in relationship with the church as a whole and as leadership. There has also been a clarification of who we might connect with and what our various roles in these relationships might be. Things are just beginning!!

The Burning Man crowd… a group of absolutely beautiful people totally unreached by any churches here in Bend. Other groups of young, and not-so-young adults, from the recreation world to the business world. Things are starting in these areas. Connections with authors and leaders from the emerging church and Presbymergent (on the national level). Relationships with local churches and organizations in Bend (Oasis, The River, Cascade Covenant, The Mission Church, Sundeos, The Nazerene church, Fellowship Bible Church, New Hope, various house churches, the Goodness Collective, Lupwa Homes, coffee shops, Young Life, Apologetics Guild, First Pres youth group, COCC, substitute teaching)… the list goes on. It is all only just beginning. All these connections and relationships built as a representation of First Presbyterian Church of Bend… all part of the process of growing the kingdom of God in Bend.

There are a number of exciting things going on now to encourage spiritual formation and community and a number of things being planned for 2008... (the rest)