Sondancing 1.2

Transitional Discernment

   

  Although one could view our shift from LINC Ministries to sondance as a “lateral” transition, what is occupying my prayers and thoughts is anything but lateral. Many of our transitional challenges require a fair amount of discernment, which means we have been investing a whole lot of prayer into these issues:

• Discerning the scope and significance of fatherlessness – I’ve been getting more opportunities to speak recently, and whenever I explain why I believe fatherlessness to be one of the most significant issues both within and outside the church, heads nod in agreement. Of course, recognizing the problem is certainly different than implementing God-given solutions. Yesterday I was speaking at the annual Portland Youth Foundation youth worker luncheon, which I began 19 years ago; this year I was the “outside guest speaker” which was just a bit surreal. Anyway, I mentioned to them the propensity we have as youth workers to make great plans and ask God to bless them (a problem not limited to youth workers!) rather than asking God for His plans, then obediently doing what He says. So, I am making sure I get the order right and am asking God for His plans regarding what Sondance should do to address the issue of fatherlessness. Also,  I am pondering a recent email I received from a Susan, who was in my youth group many years ago and has recovered sufficiently from that experience to serve with her husband, Brian, in both Papua New Guinea and Uganda. She wrote, in part, “ . . . laying in bed dirty and BEAT UP in Uganda we mulled over and over what the FOUNDATIONAL problem was with ALL OF AFRICA (yes…those late night world problem solving sessions…) and it boiled down to Fatherlessness…it is the root…to the orphan problem, the Aids problem, every problem it seemed we hit!”  I’m still processing Susan’s response; it is both affirming regarding the direction we are headed, but it is also too overwhelming (so far) to wrap my mind around.

Discerning a Spirit-led strategy for the use of electronic and social media – I am conflicted when it comes to the use of email, texting, web pages, Facebook, Twitter, and a rapidly proliferating number of other means of communicating and/or networking. Social and cultural commentators are lined up on both sides here – social media is either the greatest thing since sliced bread, or it is the beginning of the apocalypse. I understand the opportunities social media provide to connect with a much wider ministry audience. But how do I find time to give proper attention to all the new or renewed relationships? I have enough trouble as it is answering emails promptly. I am also very well aware of how time-consuming, attention-grabbing, and even addicting social media can easily become. Yes, I know that vociferous objections to technological progress have existed since Gutenberg invented the printing press. And I am thankful that tele- and video-conferencing allows us to have quarterly Sondance Board meetings without some members having to travel up to 1800 miles four times a year. But I am carefully praying through this issue.

Discerning the best way to help friends and supporters make the transition with us from LINC to sondance – feedback tells me there is still some confusion. So, to summarize . . .

• LINC ended an 18+ year run on Dec. 31, and sondance began on Jan. 1.
• Sondance is different from LINC; the biggest changes being the end of my directing the Portland Youth Foundation, and the start of a new focus on fatherlessness, as well as various ministry/mission endeavors in our (eventual) new Idaho community.

• Our newsletters will still come out monthly and primarily via email, but we will also mail out a paper newsletter on a quarterly basis. Obviously, email distribution is easier and far less expensive, but conventional mail gets sondance response envelopes in the hands of supporters and potential donors, and that’s important to us. This is why it is really important that we have both your email and conventional mail addresses.

• We need your help in the following ways: (1) If you didn’t get our recently mailed first issue of sondancing, that means we don’t have your mailing address; you can help us out by sending it to: sondancemike@gmail.com (2) We are re-assembling our Prayer Team, and would love for you to consider joining it; (3) If God should move you to become a financial supporter, you can use the mailing address to the left, or the envelope that will arrive quarterly, or the Paypal button on our blog. We can also accept non-cash gifts, if you are feeling led to be creative or have an extra luxury car in the garage . . .

• We are moving to Idaho, but at this point only God knows the timing. Since He is not yet chosen to share that information with us, we are resting and waiting for His leading. And In the meantime, we continue to make strategic Kingdom connections and have divine appointments during our trips to our future home community – fun!