Matt Smay

Thought I’d share a little snippet from an email between Sam, our CRM pres. and Hugh (who is currently in Beirut).  I’m often asked how all this missional stuff applies in different contexts – this email is an example of how the root of missional is really drawn from a missiological framework and appears to cross major cultural barriers.   

“Hugh: Just talked to the coordinating leader, and he wants any and all extra books (Tangible Kingdom) he can get his hands on. The thing has mushroomed on us in Beirut …25-30 people.  Heads of several denominations, leading pastors, etc …  it is a rather remarkable crowd for this country.   He is ecstatic about the response he has been getting to the book.  One pastor just called him …had read the book twice and is requiring all his staff to attend.  Another one called and said “This is exactly what we need.  My church is rusting.”

To prime the pump, he also met with each of these people individually and hand delivered the book, asking them to read it and explaining why they were invited.  I think we’ll find pretty much everyone will have done it.  The major question he is getting is, “OK, how do we do this?”

Hope it’s going well in Amsterdam.  Looking forward to hearing how things went on Monday after I left.

Sam”
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Dr. Sam Metcalf
President, CRM-US

I’m sure they’d appreciate a few prayers!

I thought I’d share some thoughts related to my Summer calendar. As I attempt to move into the summertime season of rest, relaxation, and fun – I’d like to take a minute to describe some of my dreams of a perfect summer.

Like many of you, I’m ready for a break and a time of intentional R&R. But I’m also aware that the summer can quickly fill up with things that were never part of the plan. So, when I imagine my perfect summer it involves several vital components:

• Focused time with the family – with Maegan turning two in July, and Maren due in November with our second kiddo, I’m realizing how fast time flies. So, I want to get a few special times away with the family this summer, which will include a week in Montana!
• Intentional community building with our village – I’d like to have more consistent and meaningful times with our village, which includes growing deeper in relationships, engaging our neighborhoods (we’ve already got 2 big block parties setup), and expanding the depth of our spiritual development.
• Rest – I just need to slow down a bit this summer. The pace that Hugh and I have been on the past few years has been overwhelming. Primarily, related to the ongoing growth of Adullam & Missio and getting the book ready for release. So, I’m planning to take seriously making up some much needed Sabbath times.
• Fun – I intend on scheduling some time that is purely devoted to having fun with friends and our community. This will include BBQ’s, some day-trips to state parks to let the kids play and parents relax, as much golf as possible, regular mountain bike rides, a few fly-fishing days on the Dream stream, Green River, or Frying Pan, and maybe even a few overnight trips into the mountains.

This may not be your dream summer, but I hope you begin to be intentional with how you’ll spend your limited amount of free-time. At Adullam we’re planning a number of park services, a few big State Park gatherings, and we’ll be focusing a lot of energy on getting our communities moving forward in the areas of:

Community~Communion~Mission