Mike King

It is time to register for Reclaiming Paul

More than 25% of the spaces available for attending Reclaiming Paul: The Apostle in the Emerging World have been taken.  I believe this conference will sell out and there is no plan to create more space, so register now.

I had the opportunity to lob questions to Tim Keel and John Franke recently about this conference and the focus of this conference.  Shout out to Deth Im for pulling this interview together, for Beth Mercer who shot it and Keith Schwantz and the NTS team for producing this.  Give the two videos a watch.

More from Assisi

A couple of cool things from my time in Assisi was meeting the conference organizers Stephen Pica, CEO of the Center for Action and Contemplation and Founder Richard Rohr to talk about the Wild Goose Festival which I have been involved in conceptualizing for the last three plus years.  I’ll talk more about the details of this event in the weeks ahead as we move into the next phase of this becoming a reality.

Another cool surprise at the Ennneagram Conference was running into Marcola Smith, wife of my friend Rustin Smith, pastor of the Vox Dei Community in Kansas City.  Marcola’s sister Mya was also there along with friend Tish, all members of Vox Dei.  We shared a meal and rode the train back to Rome together.  Those girls are a constant comedy routine. 

Enneagram Conference

I have been in Assisi attending the Enneagram Conference led by Richard Rohr.  The Enneagram is a widely used tool to identify peoples primary personality type and how they interact with the world and people around them.  I first took the Enneagram Assessment when I was in the final stages (called the Capstone) of the Princeton Theological Seminary Youth Ministry Certificate Program. 

The results of the test showed that I was a three.  I have since confirmed that on a couple of occasions by taking different versions of the Enneagram test.  I don't know why I have retaken it because the description of a three fits me perfect.  Type Three is adaptive, excelling, driven, and image-conscious.  Threes lead people and organizations.  Threes are Achievers, Performers, Status Seekers.  Threes tend to be especially adaptable and changeable. Some walk the world with confidence and authenticity; others wear a series of public masks, acting in ways they think will bring them approval but losing track of their true self. Threes are motivated by the need to succeed and also to be seen as successful.

Ok, so there it is.  Only that is just scratching the surface.  This is very insightful stuff designed to help us mature and grow in being the person God made us to be.  It is also very interesting in light of the StrengthFinders stuff I just went through which shows me as Input, Achiever, Ideation, Intellection and Maximizer.  All this is a lot to think about especially as I examine how God wants me to proceed with the second half of my life.

Prelude, Intuitive Leadership and EMC

No posting in this last week due to a very full schedule.  Prelude, Intuitive Leadership and EMC happening on top of each other was very fulfilling and stimulating but exhausting.  We had 55 youth workers at Prelude for three days of theological conversations about youth ministry.  We met at YouthFront Camp South.  It was so refreshing to be around so many bright youth workers who are passionate about the spiritual formation of adolescents (more details later).  At the same time we had 65 for Intuitive Leadership with Tim Keel at Jacob's Well.  During the weekend, more than 300 gathered for the Everything Must Change Conference with Brian McLaren.  On Sunday, Brian preached three times at Jacob's Well.  I'm just now catching my breath.

Speaking at a Real Estate Conference

I spoke at the United Country Real Estate Convention this morning.  One of our YouthFront Board Members, Lou Francis, is the President of United Country.  They had 700 staff and associates here for the convention at Crown Center.  I spoke about the UNC study on Religion and Adolescents.  I asked Where are the Adults?  I also showed the news story on Sally Rymer, one of our teen staff.  I was amazed at how energized this group was.  I talked to dozens of delegates after I finished speaking.  So many of them were volunteer youth workers.  I was really surprised by their passion for youth ministry.  Brett Francis, Lou's son and one of our alumni teen staff led the time of singing and worship.  I stuck around for the corporate welcome by Lou to his company.  It was very cool to see the standing ovation he got and to watch him in his element.  I am so grateful for Lou creating this opportunity for youth ministry and YouthFront.

Everything Must Change

   

Phyllis Tickle summary

I was getting to write another post about Phyllis Tickle's presentation at the National Youth Workers Convention in Atlanta after listening to it again on my iPod.  Before I started the post I noticed several hits to my blog from a Chuck Pardue post on one of the sessions I did in Atlanta.  While on his site I read his summary of Phyllis' message.   He did a great job of summarizing, what was to most of the 5000+ youth workers who attended the Atlanta Convention, the highlight.  Chuck is saving me a lot of time with his post.  Once again, get this message and listen to it... better order the DVD so you can see her illustrations.

Atlanta IV

I really enjoyed the Youthworker Retreat I led.  It was very different from San Diego and St. Louis.  There was much more dialogue and theological discussion.  The final movement we meditate on Luke 15 (The Prodigal Son) and sit with a canvas reprint of Rembrandt's The Return of the Prodigal.  This was once again an amazing time of listening to how the Holy Spirit speaks to people.

I kind of laid low during this conference.  The Critical Concerns (eight hours) takes it out of me.  Lots of stuff to think about - so I laid low.  A highlight of the conference for many was Shane Claiborne.  He mentioned something about being invited to speak to deliver the best sermon ever - something that many who follow him closely would surely expect.  Shane proceeded to read quite eloquently the entire Sermon on the Mount.  When he finished he bowed his head and prayed silently and then walked off the stage.  One thing for sure - there has been lots of conversation about this sermon.

A highlight of the conference for me was Phyllis Tickle's presence at this conference.  Phyllis is the editor for the Divine Hours and former Religion Editor for Publishers Weekly.  This 74-year-old grandma is one of my heroes.  I have learned so much from her.  I literally pray that she will live another 30 plus years so I can continue learning from her.  Here is Marko's account of her General Session.  It is worth a read.  I agree with Marko - order the DVD.  It doesn't matter if you are in youth ministry.  If you are a follower of Jesus Christ and you want to live faithfully in the world and age in which we find ourselves - get this DVD.

Atlanta III

A couple more highlights from Atlanta today.

Nick Pickrell made it in time to attend most of the Youth Worker Retreat I led.  Nick grew up hanging out at our home.  A friend of our sons and involved in my church youth group and in Student Life.  Nick is now on our staff and is one of the great joys of my life.

I had dinner with Isaac Egbowale from Caribbean Lifetime Missions. Isaac is a Nigerian and has been a dear friend and ministry partner for many years.  Isaac recently completed construction on a new Orphanage that he has established in his home country of Nigeria.  We ate at Fire of Brazil, a Brazilian Meat Restaurant.  Wow, what a feast.  Even better, Isaac picked up the tab.  I love this man.

Atlanta II

MARTA is awesome.  I jumped on the train at the airport last night and was at the Westin Peachtree downtown fifteen minutes later - cost $2.50.  I hope Kansas City can get our act together with Light Rail.  I'm still hopeful.

The temperature last night was 75 degrees.  Today it is in the low 50's.  The convention center is a 15 minute walk from the hotel which is a bummer when the wind is blowing at 30 miles an hour and the temperature is 52 degrees.  I didn't realize how far the convention center was from the hotel.  I finished an hour run this morning, leaving just enough time to shower and head to the convention center to set up for the Youth Worker Retreat I'm leading with Jeff Johnson.  When I realized how far away it was my workout continued with a jog to the convention center.  Once you get to the convention center it seems like you have to walk another mile inside the center before you get to the section where the Youth Worker Convention is being held. 

We have around 70 youth workers attending the retreat today and tomorrow before the convention actually starts on Friday afternoon.  Today was a great day with wonderful interaction from the youth workers.  The retreat is a combination of biblical teaching, theology, engagement with the arts, exploring culture, sociology, experiential worship and spiritual practices.  The conversations were stimulating and the feedback from the participants was inspirational to me.  We have three more hours together tomorrow. 

I was really excited to have two friends, Len Evans and Doug Jones participate.