That said... sorry to say this, but I am pulling into an intermission for a bit. I won't just be away from the computer or my blog site for a couple of days... I mean that I am taking an undetermined amount of time for an intermission.
That means I don't know if/when I'll be blogging again... I kind of have some things to sort out.
So if you'd like to keep praying for me, that would be awesome.
Sincerely,
Tony
22 comments:
I do hope that we'll see you blogging again soon but in the mean time, enjoy your intermission.
If you don't make it back ... have a great life. Thanks for all the posts you made to this point.
You know, assessments can really throw you for a loop - because it starts the spiral of questioning ourselves, evaluating - we have to stop and really stop and really think about it and how we'll deal with it and so forth...
I don't get the church plant assessment thing - but I think that comes from being a part of an autonomous denomination where each congregation is self-governed and answers to no larger conference, etc. I guess there are programs if we decided we wanted to go through them would involve some sort of interview process - but I think the biggest obstacle would be fund raising if we needed such a thing. But don't get me started on that either. Paul supported himself through his ministry - I think if I were to be a part of such a calling, I'd insist we'd be employed citizens of the community as well.
Anyway - I'm praying for you. If you and your wife feel that God has called you to church planting; then don't let anyone else tell you no. Because if you really look around, you'll see that God has sent you "yes" people to affirm what He has called you too.
I'll miss your blog - I hope you return soon!
Selfishly: That sucks!
Professionally: I get it.
Bloggly: Sucks more!
Personally: You have impacted me, and I thank you for that. I will pray for you.
PS. I’ll second what Melanie said about being called to do a church plant, and not letting people tell you no if God says yes. I have a little of the “Barbarian Way” thing going on. It’s a good book if you haven’t read it – and if you have it’s a good re-read.
Tony... you have one of the most engaging, insightful, thought-provoking blogs I've come across. Which is to say that you have an engaging, insightful and thought-provoking mind. I too hope that your intermission won't be too long. But until then... "Keep on rockin' (for Jesus) in the free world!"
D
Praying for you...
Hope you return and you're in my prayers -
Darius
Naturally, no one wants to see you leave the blogging world, but I understand sometimes it is necessary. I'll be praying for God's best for you and your family.
I'm praying for you too, brother. Above and beyond all else, His will be done.
Your heart is obvious.
And, as Cmdr. Taggart would say, "Never give up. Never surrender."
wow, it seems like everyone is taking a hiatus. hope you'll be back soon!
wow. this completely breaks my heart. praying for you and your family.
thanks for some great content here, hope you do comeback
Hey Tony... thanks for your encouragement to me personally. As someone who was there, I know that the after-effects of assessment are tougher than the actual assessment. You're left dealing with all of this information about yourself and wondering how to proceed. The following days for us were exhausting and emotional. So I understand your need to take a hiatus for processing. The only thing I want to encourage you with is to not process in isolation. Go through everything with people who know you and love you, and not just "yes men" types. This thing called the Kingdom has to be lived out in community, and it's only in community that I think we can hear from God both personally and corporately. Cross reference Ortberg's If You Want to Walk on Water book and his referring to Parker Palmer and the Quaker use of a "clarity committee" or something like that. I'm sorry, I'm absolutely terrible with details, but hopefully you're familiar with what I'm talking about.
Grace and Peace to you, brother.
pastor tony -
you have been an amazing teacher at greenville during our senior pastor search. i'm sorry that you were just our interim leader and not one for the long haul but if that's god's plan as you understand it then we trust you. you have touched more lives than you'll ever know and have led us even without having the official position of being the senior pastor. i am confident that if you're given the chance to let what is in you come out you will add to the kingdom in amazing ways!
I am a "lurker" on your site - rarely raising my head to comment. But you have encouraged me many times....so now I hope to encourage you.
Your ability to engage my thinking and my heart have expanded and sharpened my love of Jesus. My prayer is that while you are delving into yourself and your relationship with Jesus that it be a time that you are fed, nourished, encouraged, pruned for new growth, and know/experience being held in the cradle of the creator - praying you through with no expectations of the outcome of this time - other than God's fingerprints being left on you more indelibly than before!
You make me want to be a better Christian!
Hi, Tony!
It's May 22nd, and today God particularly brought you and your family to mind...so I'm especially praying for y'all today. God knows where and how you are and what you need, so I'm leaving the details of my prayer up to the Holy Spirit.
"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express."
Romans 8:26 NIV
Tony, I wish you God's richest blessing in whatever you decide to do. I have recieved a lot of mental and spiritual stimulation by reading your blogs. Have you ever considered that your calling may be an internet church plant/blog? I know you have studied to be a church planter in a warm bodied group of people in a local setting but is it possible to influence and relate to thousands more over the internet? I miss reading your thoughts and comments!
I read you too Tony... although I have been on a bit of intermission myself from reading and posting.
I'm in the process of praying and seeking direction on where to plant another campus of our church. Its a plant but not but is.... its a work in progress.
You can trust I have just prayed for you and your family, as I find myself in a similar situation.
Blessing Bro
Brian
Hey, i've enjoyed reading your blog for some time, and you have encouraged me spiritually. I hope that all goes well with the church planting assessment, and with everything that follows. I pray that you will continue to impact and encourage others in your daily life, to deeply love and follow Jesus, the way that you have encourged us through your blog!
If you dont make it back,
its ok, I will remember what you have done here!
Thanks!
It is cool to see how many lives you have impacted through your blog. I truly hope you have a good intermission.
Don't know if you drop by. I just thought it was time to say I'm still checking in...hoping the second act starts soon.
You all have blessed me... thank you!
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