The Best of 2006

For some time now I've been wanting to post some reflections about 2006 and hopes for 2007. This is by no means comprehensive. But, as I'm sitting here in our quiet apartment, two and a half hours before midnight (on the West Coast) this is what comes to mind.

Personal Highlights of the Year
1. Climbing Mt. Whitney with my dad and brother. We hiked all summer in preparation for our Sept 25th ascent. We did the climb in two days (it can be done in one long day if you don't want to camp over night). We nearly froze our butts off, but it was a wonderful experience. Click here for more pictures of our hike.

2. Standing with Jim Wallis in support of Proposition 86. Ultimately this Proposition failed to pass, but the experience of working in partnership with so many great people was truly inspiring. The highlight came in an opportunity I had to meet Jim Wallis. He was in Los Angeles and offered to partner with our PICO affiliate here called LA Voice. Jim spoke first and I followed him, speaking about the work the faith community had done in support of this proposition.

3. The growth our the Hollywood Church toward an authentic missional community has been deeply rewarding. We are only just beginning this journey and the further we get into it, the more we know it will take much longer that we originally thought and will require more from each of us that we know how to give. 2006 was a year of self-awareness as a congregation. Our listening groups did an amazing and difficult job. Our leadership retreat was nothing short of miraculous and the response of our congregation to our future is truly inspiring. In addition we have been able to turn around a multiple year deficit budget and end the year in the black for the first time in I-don't-know-how-long. Trust is being rebuilt and relationships are growing. We had the awesome privilege to baptize 7 people this past Easter and welcome dozens more by transfer from places all around the country and the world!

4. The opening of Los Feliz Charter School for the Arts was a huge accomplishment. Elysabeth and I have given dozens of hours to this, and we are so grateful to the other families that make up this amazing school. We have made deep friendships and Zoe is growing socially, intellectually and emotionally in this rich environment. Elysabeth founder and director of "After Arts" the after-school program which runs every day from 1-6 pm. It's an amazing program and she constantly gets compliments from parents about how great a job she's doing.

5. In addition I am deeply grateful for the relationships that continue to sustain my life. My wife and children are the stability. They ground me, day by day, in the things that are most important. They keep me honest and balanced. I am grateful to my church family and my staff (paid and unpaid) who work hard to make the day-to-day life of the church happen. I am particularly grateful to have met Johnny Ramirez this year and have him join our staff as a ministerial intern.

I am thankful for the new people I have met this year (in person and just online or on the phone), in no particular order: Brenton Reading, Melvin Bray, Trevan Osborn, Sherman Haywood Cox II, Julius Nam, Michael Peabody, Alexander Carpenter (I met him several years ago but couldn't resist mentioning him).

Also, the steady friendship and support of people like Samir Selmanovic, Jeff Gang, Monte Sahlin, Paul Richardson and Raj Attiken are vital, on so many levels, to the work we are doing.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention my D.Min. cohort at Fuller. These guys (there are no gals at this point) have become true friends along this journey which is entering it's 4th year. In particular, Jim Amstutz and Michael Wilson have been faithful partners in this journey. Thanks, guys, for making me a better pastor and student!

It's now nearly 11 pm so I am deeply sorry if I have forgotten anyone. A few more things, if your attention span is still holding.

The Best Books I Read This Year
Again, in no particular order:

1. Christianity for the Rest of Us: How the Neighborhood Church is Transforming the Faith, by Diana Butler Bass
2. The Long Loneliness, by Dorothy Day
3. The Missional Leader, by Alan Roxburgh
4. Making Room: Recovering Hospitality As a Christian Tradition, by Christine D. Pohl
5. How (Not) to Speak of God, by Peter Rollins
   

Most Significant Films of 2006
Naturally I haven't seen every film made this year, and most importantly, I'm not a film critic, but these are the films that had the greatest impact on me this year, in no particular order:

1. An Inconvenient Truth
2. Blood Diamond
3. Little Children
4. Babel
5. Happy Feet

And, "just for fun," my favorite movie of the year is Nacho Libre.

Best Music Discoveries this Year

1. How To Save a Life, The Fray
2. Mockingbird, Derek Webb (thanks for Mark Feldbush for this recommendation)
3. Grown, Kendall Payne (we've been listening to her for years - but my good friend JR is good friends with her. Still haven't met her though...hint, hint, JR!)
4. Nothing is Sound, Switchfoot (these guys just keep making smart music - new album in stores  now!)

What I anticipate in 2007

1. The Hollywood Church will continue to grow toward it's vision of being a missional community. Our Missional Action Teams will engage in genuine experiments in mission that increase our church's capacity to innovate.
2. We will enter into a development partnership regarding our church property. In the next 12 months I believe we will develop the master plan for the property and possibly even start moving dirt by year's end.
3. A coalition is forming, across many relational networks, for a progressive, missional Adventist future. I expect that this year progress will be made toward this "coming together."
4. I will write a book...finally.

HAPPY NEW YEAR, everyone!

Comments

[Brenton Reading]

Happy New Year! I have enjoyed getting acquainted over the web as well. Your progressive Adventist thoughts and actions have been a real inspiration to us down here in Alabama. Thanks for sharing. Looking forward to that book!

[Julius]

I consider our meeting a divine appointment. I look forward to God arranging for more of the same this year.

[Johnny]

Thanks for the kind words!
This is going to be a great year :)