A Burden for a Particular Corner of Europe

Okay, so I mentioned that I’d give a little more explanation re: our decision to head for Ireland next summer, and here I am distracting myself with a lengthy post about a Rolling Stone interview with Bono. (OH! By the way, I forgot to mention that, in the interview, Bono mentions the African ubuntu concept that I blogged about a few months back. Okay. I’m done with Bono.)

When Kristy and first agreed to visit Ireland, we were really just going through the motions of responsibly researching our “other option” aside from church planting in Cologne. I really liked what I saw in the Cologne team and thought there was really good chemistry and an impressive mix of gifting and ability. However, while we were there, it just never felt right for various reasons and I sensed that Kristy felt the same way. I’m not one to go solely on feelings, but after a few days in Ireland, I was reminded of the sense of calling that I had during my short-term experiences there and in England years ago. The burden on my heart for the peoples of Ireland and Great Britain went deeper than feeling to the level of passion and conviction. I wanted to be there.

On our rather lengthy list of pros and cons, there were smaller, more peripheral things that added up and pointed to Ireland, but this sense of being at home in Ireland and the UK was the pivotal issue for me. It means closer proximity to friends and colleagues that I’ve gained in England and thus opportunity to build on the ministry foundation I have there in a variety of ways. It also means potential involvement in future GEM church planting initiatives in Great Britain.

However, it also means a step of faith. With the Germany opportunity, I knew the chemistry and gift mix of the team that had invited us and how Kristy and I would fit in. In Ireland, there isn’t a specific church planting team context immediately apparent for us to join. In fact, there are several teams and initiatives in the Dublin area – none of whom have actually invited us to join them. But that’s okay. It just means having the faith that God will provide guidance, insight and wisdom on how to fit into what He’s doing.

Having said that, I look forward to working with Phil Kingsley, the Ireland field director. Phil has a 25 year history of working with the Irish church and a tremendous amount of respect and credibility with Irish church leaders. He’s also very engaged in the church planting dialogue and networking in the country. There’s also Rod Taylor and the burgeoning GEM Youth Ministries, to whom I will be committing a portion of my time and energy. After a few minor setbacks, the process of developing training curriculum for European youth workers is well under way and I look forward to staying involved in that work. Phil and Rod are the ones who’ve persisted in getting Kristy and I to Ireland.

Please feel free to e-mail me with any questions or with regard to anything in this explanation needing clarification!