New things...

What a weekend! It was a weekends of firsts...

- It was the first weekend that I served as the official Campus Pastor for The Chapel, Hawthorn Hills. Prior to this, I was the Associate Campus Pastor. Through a two-month process of testing the waters, connecting with core leaders, and serving alongside Scott (who was Campus Pastor as well as Co-Senior Pastor of The Chapel), God has affirmed so many of the decisions that bring us to this point. I couldn't be more excited and hopeful about my role in God's mission these days.

- It was the first time that I taught on a weekend for The Chapel. There is a teaching team that rotates through most of the campuses. My hiring as Campus Pastor did not include being a part of that teaching team. So when Jeff (the other Co-Senior Pastor of The Chapel), asked me to do the teaching for this message in the current series, I was shocked. This past weekend, I did all three services at my campus. Next weekend, I do the same message at all the other campuses - 4 live and 1 recorded on dvd. I really enjoyed doing it this past weekend. And if that's the best way for me to serve God, then I'd be pleased to do it again. We'll see how it goes. The real "test" will be this weekend - I'll be teaching for people who don't know me from Adam...other than Adam would look a little older than I do...

- It was my first Major League Soccer game. Jim and Jenny took Heidi and I to see the Chicago Fire, the pro team in the area. What a great time! We enjoyed the company of "old friends" (we met them at Northwest) and I learned a ton about a game that I was largely unfamiliar with. Jim is a great fan and understands the strategy - and a good teacher. I'm not sure I "fell in love" with soccer, but I really dig it and hope to watch it some more. In July, a soccer legend from the Mexico team is joining The Fire...should be fun to watch a man that plays on such a huge world stage.

And after such a full weekend, we had a great F5 family day. It started with getting Izak to the doctor first thing in the morning. We seem to start our Mondays there lately. Sinus infection for the big guy. He's already feeling better.

Busy week ahead (what's new?). Big things going on for the Church these days. And it's a gift and honor for me to be a part of it.

Away we go!

M@