Follow-up to our “Smell Like Sheep” weekend with Lynn Anderson.

This post describes the follow-up process to our “Smell Like Sheep” weekend with Lynn Anderson. Follow up will occur in four stages.

Stage 1 Invite Feedback and input from our leaders (e.g. What did you hear God saying? What resonated with you? Where is God leading? What do you think God wants are next steps to be? Anything else?)

Stage 2 – Prayer and discussion – Three levels of meetings will be scheduled – the first meeting will be with elders. The second will include the elders and the ministering shepherds. The third meeting will include all of our leaders. The purpose of these three meetings is to pray, discuss and discover God’s will for our church.

Stage 3 – Implementation. Once we understand what God’s will is for the future, we are asking God to give us the strength and ability to carry it out.

We are currently in stage 1.

I sent the following email (Jan 18, 2011) to the ministering shepherds, small group leaders, ministry leaders, student life guards and others who participated in the “Smell Like Sheep” Weekend with Lynn. People are still responding – I just another one this afternoon.

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Brothers and Sisters,

What a weekend! You made Norway Ave shine like Jesus.

Lynn said great things about you. We have a great church family. Lynn praised you for your preparation, enthusiasm, faith and especially your love. As I listened to Lynn say all those wonderful things about you my heart was so full of joy for our church. You shine just like Jesus!

Late Sunday night, after Lynn returned to his home in San Antonio –he sent me this text - Lynn wrote “What a church!! I did feel a sense of God’s hand. Do so much hope that, in some way, it has been and will be some meaningful help to Norway (not just encouragement – but significant game changing help“

That’s why I am writing you.  The elders and I want to know – Did you feel God’s hand? Did you hear God’s voice? What does God want? What’s next? We want God to show us HIS plans – Right?

My heart is full! I love times like this! But I’ve learned if I don’t write it down I’ll forget it - ”Thoughts disentangle themselves when they pass through the lips and fingertips” (Dawson Troutman)- Please write down your reflections – don’t let it slip away.  Let’s to do it while it is fresh. If we let it set on the shelf it may grow cold.

Below are some notes from the weekend. We had five sessions with Lynn. I highlighted a few items at the beginning of each of the five sessions and pasted Lynn’s handouts to help you remember – my notes are not exhaustive – just a “sketchy” outline of what happened + Lynn’s handouts & notes). Skim the notes and pray as you respond to the three questions below (Note: I did not include Lynn’s notes in this post due to copyright)

The elders are currently working through a similar process of reflection and writing – they will be meeting for face-to-face prayer and discussion soon. But the shepherds want your thoughts and input before they meet – this will allow them to pray over and consider everything. They are seeking God’s will and he speaks through his people – so please respond – the shepherds are listening!

I will compile all the responses I receive from you (ministering shepherds, small group leaders, ministry leaders, Jon, Lifeguards, myself and anyone who participated – I will collect all response and send them as one document to our shepherds so they can think about, pray over and consider what you heard from God.

We are praying Exodus 33:12-13 – “Lord, show us your plans”. Remember? That passage that framed our recent six-week study of “What does God Want?”

We are seeking the face of the Lord – we are praying the same prayer Moses prayed below.

Exodus 33:12 Moses said to the Lord, “You have told me to lead these people, but you did not say whom you would send with me. You have said to me, ‘I know you very well, and I am pleased with you.’ 13 If I have truly pleased you, show me your plans so that I may know you and continue to please you. Remember that this nation is your people.”

Please respond to 3 open-ended questions below. Reply to me – I will collect and compile your emails and handwritten notes into one document and present them to the shepherds.

We need your input! Please respond to the three open-ended questions below.

Three Open-Ended Questions

1. What did you hear God say this weekend? What resonated with you?

2. What do you think God wants our next steps to be? Short term? Long term?

3. Anything else?

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The leaders of our church are still responding to the three questions and we are collecting it all – praying throughout the entire process.  Stage 2 begins next week.

FOOTNOTE

The leaders of our church are still responding to the three questions and we are collecting it all – praying throughout the entire process.  Stage 2 begins next week.

Amber and I took Lynn and his grandson Connor to the airport after church last Sunday. The pictures below were taken right before they boarded the plan. We will always remember our weekend with Lynn and Connor – it was fantastic!

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