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I have been accused of writing checklists in my dreams.

May be true.  I certainly write them throughout a day.  Probably one of the signs of strong mental health for me over the years has been how many checklists I can generate.

Sounds weird.

There is both good and bad to lists.

You can become a slave to the lists and miss great opportunities.  On the other hand, you are current enough to be able to step away from the normal of life and enter into those great opportunities.

Yesterday was checklist time for preparations to move to a new house.  We had begun the list a few days ago.  Formalizing it on the computer makes the move very real in my eyes. 

Everything from carpet to electrical to windows to walls.  They all got on the list.  We have a month to complete the basic preparation – then we will actually take possession of the house.  Or as our son says – when do we actually sleep over night?

Now, where is my pen?  I’ve got another item to put on the list!!

We laugh at the impossible.

Yesterday we had belly laughs.  We, as a couple, were wallpapering together.

We don’t rush as we wallpaper.  We don’t yell at each other.  We even admit when something didn’t quite work right – and then try to remedy it.

The residence where we were working has a child who is around six.  She has a friend of the same age who accompanied her home after school yesterday.

They snuck into the room to explore for something missing or exciting – not sure which.

I had a small brush in hand, making sure all edges were glued down properly.  As the two children entered the room, they marvelled at how amazing I was at painting.  The wallpaper pattern had intrigued them and they thought I had been the master painter.  I tried to take credit but that was dashed quickly by my wife who pointed out that it was merely wallpaper and not an artistic endevour!

Then, one of them turned to us and commented on our working together, merely saying the following:  “You make a good team.”

Out of the mouths of babes!

We often call the place we worship, “our church”.

Shared experiences have made it so.  The life of a church is embodied in life within the church.  We call this history.

Yesterday, as we examined rural churches, there was quite a discussion about how history affects effectiveness in a church.  Knowing the past can help us connect with those who have poured their lives into a church.  Knowing the past can help us sidestep hornet’s nests that have been stirred once too often.  History can even give us clues as to new ways of ministry.

I have a unique history with the church I currently attend.  I was “born into” this church.  I was carried to services shortly after my birth.  Although our family moved away at a young age, I returned in my early twenties for four years.  Twenty five years later, I returned once again.  My current stint here has been for 10 years.

I am both a recent citizen, while also being born here – with roots going back to my grandfather, who homesteaded here.

I have history and yet I am new.  A peculiar situation which lets me speak to different generations of inhabitants of this church.

What an awesome privilege.  And responsibility.

A reemphasized and reenergized movement is happening.

Those in rural churches are seeking to have their approach to pastoring heard. 

At first you may think that all churches are alike.  They should all have people, they should all get along, and they should all want to talk about Jesus wherever they are. 

But each context has a different perspective.  For many rural church pastors, the advice we have received comes from larger churches or from urban churches. 

We do not have a large population draw – we have to work with a community that is right on our doorstep.  We do not have a lot of other pastors who can coffee with us at the drop of a hat – we have to set plans in motion to see someone.

We do have longevity of members and a community that remembers.  When a rural church obtains a favourable reputation, that abides for a while. 

There are many things a vital rural church has going for it. 

Today, I’ll meet with some other rural church pastors and we will compare notes – I expect I’ll add a few more notes!!