What I’m Doing Now
Trying to meet my goals for this quarter and planning goals for the next. Also, working on various learning projects.
This page was updated on September 25, 2019. Subscribe to my newsletter to get my next update.
June 17, 2019
I am taking some time off. I am recharging, I think, but mostly I’m just trying to be content and open to whatever God has planned.
I’m working on increasing my pushup count to 40. (I can do a total of 26 now over the course of three sets.) I am playing my cello more, reading a few books outside my normal track, and focusing on my family.
March 15, 2019
Not much has changed since my last update, although I’m doing, and enjoying, a lot more yardwork. The weather is so beautiful right now and there’s much to do. I’m even trying to add some grass and a patio to the backyard. Family-wise, we’re also having a lot of conversations about what our commitments might look like after the summer.
My diaconal research project continues. I’m done researching the Reformed view of the office and will be doing some analysis of what I’ve learned in the coming weeks.
February 20, 2019
I’m moving my old Facebook posts over to the blog, updating and revising them along the way.
I’m still preaching the Gospel of John and Ephesians, researching the Reformed and Presbyterian view of the diaconate, working on my languages, and teaching six different classes. I had hoped to have more of a cello concerto learned by now, but I have hardly practiced since I was on vacation at the beginning of the year. There have been a lot of extra needs at church that have required new skills in pastoral triage, which I’m learning thanks to a few very helpful conversations from some senior ministers. Thank you, brothers! And I’m becoming more sensitive to the needs at home, which deserve more of my attention. So, as you might guess, I’m thinking a lot about my current and future commitments!
January 18, 2019
I’m back into regular pastoral ministry now. It’s been hard slowing down the pace of research I was able to do during my week of study leave, but I’m excited to be leading worship and preaching again. I’m continuing to preach from the Gospel of John and Ephesians. Amazing books.
I’m still researching the Reformed and Presbyterian view of office of deacon and hope to be able to complete my reading on that in the next few weeks. It’s frustrating not to be able to read the foreign language books and articles I find on this topic. But, I’m still slowly working on my languages and hope to get there some day.
I’m also teaching classes on basic Christianity, New Testament introduction, and serving with wisdom. I think a lot about how I can help my students learn the material.
January 11, 2019
Because of my amazing church, I’m on a one-week study leave listening to some really smart theologians teach on the Trinity.
I’m also researching the office of deacon. I want to understand the theological and historical underpinnings of the Reformed view(s?) and how it compares with other expressions of the diaconate. I’m praying that this work will bless our church, and maybe other churches, as we prepare fo the installation of new deacons later this year.
Also started Module 1 of The Moss Method for Greek.
December 29, 2018
I’m on vacation practicing cello, taking extra good care of my body, and spending extra time with my family.
I’m creating headspace for the coming months by catching up on family finances, cleaning my study, and getting rid of clutter in my life—time clutter and space clutter.
I’m walking through the Gospel of Mark with my daughter and her friend. We’re using Christianity Explored. So rewarding!