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 How
would you describe what will be your new responsibilities at Grace?
Dave and I are looking forward to working together as co-leaders
or co-pastors. So although it will take me a while to learn the
ropes and make the relationships, I will join him preaching, leading,
working with staff, and generally serving as a teaching pastor at
Grace.
How did you meet Dave Desforge, and how would
you describe your relationship?
Dave and I met through our shared work and relationships at World
Harvest Mission. Dave reworked the Sonship course for WHM, and he
and I shared teaching duties at Sonship weeks. We also took a couple
of overseas trips together. You know you get to know folks in new
ways if you share two weeks in Japan. We ate raw fish (Dave less
than I), survived an earthquake, weathered a snowstorm, and slept
on the floor of a cold church on pads. We also traveled to Senegal
together and worked with a very mixed group of folks in Dakar. More
strange food, weird sleeping arrangements, and odd weather. This
shared ministry gave us some intense time together that allowed
me to get to know Dave better. (I have stories, if you’re
interested.) Being based these last nine months in Arden has also
given us time for respect and friendship to deepen.
What do you see on Grace’s immediate
horizon?
There are a lot of possibilities and prospects ahead. But I am working
pretty hard at not looking at the horizon too much just yet. I am
a person who can live in the future and loves moving ahead. Coming
in, Barbara and I know that we share the values we see at Grace.
We have been so encouraged by the care, help and welcome we have
had. But, I know that there is a lot of history; there are many
relationships and folks that I don’t yet know. I love thinking
about the future and making plans. I do that pretty much automatically.
It is the way God has made me. But here at the start, I need to
listen well and learn a lot about Grace before I have too many ideas.
And part of what Dave and I want is the opportunity to explore together
the next steps, rather than acting alone. I believe that God will
use the new relationships between us, the elders, staff and congregation
to create new opportunities ahead.
What is there about this new responsibility
that gets your motor running?
Many things about Grace get me charged up: the values, the work
with the arts and music, possibilities for new churches, working
in partnership in a team approach, the commitment to missions, the
love of grace for the believer as well as for the world, the chance
to preach and teach. Should I go on?
What person in your life has been the best
example of love?
Hands down, the most influential teacher and best example of love
is Barbara, my wife. God has used her wisdom, loving heart, creativity,
and patience to work deeper change in me than any other person.
What’s currently in your CD player?
Actually it is an iPod or Mac usually. And there is a real mix of
folks: The Shins, R.L. Burnside, They Might Be Giants, Nick Drake,
The John Butler Trio, Devotchka, The Ditty Bops, Dean Martin, David
Byrne, Johnny Cash, John Coltrane, Dido, The Flaming Lips, Moby,
Stalking Elephants, Yo La Tengo, Roy Orbison, The Frames, Air, U2,
The Saw Doctors, and others.
What cartoon character do you most identify
with?
Easy! I AM Calvin of “Calvin and Hobbes.” Just ask Barbara.
It is actually kind of scary.
May 22, 2005
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