Today was my final day in Seattle, WA.  With the help of Wade Olnger the last 5 days have been absolutely incredible.  It's been an honor to spend a week in one of the most beautiful areas of the country, and so incredibly refreshing to talk with leaers who are deeply committed to making an impact in the lives of people in their community. 

Late Morning
Today we met with Dave Browning, founding pastor of Christ the King Community Church, International (CTK) and author of a new book, Deliberate Simplicity.  Dave shares insight from his experience leading an expanding mulitsite church movement reaching across the United States and seven countries around the world.  Our conversation was rich with refreshing honesty...some thoughts and questions from our conversation:

• "Am I OK with this being God's church and not mine?"
• "Am I OK with things happening that I don't want or wouldn't have planned?"
• "Church is a lot messier than I realized, and that's OK."
• "We are trying to allow for a church structure that isn't so focused on keeping mess at a minimum, order at a maximum, and everyone lined up in manageable order."
• "Control is something we (pastors) want to have; nobody wants to really talk about it, but we find ourselves doing church in a certain way because it allows us to control it."

What was so refreshing about time with Dave was the spirit in which he spoke - he wasn't seeking to make a point at the expense of anyone else or share his thoughts as if he was revealing something new.  Humility was the tone.  Dave said, "I'm just trying to stay open and teachable."

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Afternoon
Later in the afternoon I had the chance to hang out with my newest Seattle host, Loran Lichty, and the staff at New Life Church in Renton, WA. 

Loran introduced me to Pastor Troy Jones and the staff at New Life.  It was late and I caught everyone as they were leaving so we didn't get a lot of time to connect; just thankful that I had a chance to meet them.

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Loran let me tag along with his family for dinner at The Rock Woodfired Pizza in Renton - amazing pizza!  My brother flew in from New York City tonight, and the two of us are going to take the weekend to drive back to Orange County along the Pacific Coast.  Can't wait!

Huge thanks to Wade Olinger for his significant part in making this week in Seattle so successful AND for serving as my host for the first three nights.  Thanks to the Lichty family for hosting me the last two nights...hope to get back to the Great Northwest again soon!

LV

The last two weeks have been full of "handshake" moments between Catalyst and the Great Northwest.  It's been such an honor for me to have this opportunity to be a part of these connections.  Today we met Jon Cobler (Next Generation Pastor at Church of Living Water in Olympia, WA) and experienced an outpouring of grace and encouragement.  It felt more like an embrace from a brother than a handshake from a friend. 

Something Jon said during our time together continues to linger in my mind, "you know LV, one thing I have learned on this journey is that the Lord NEVER turns away from the repentant...from the broken."  Not your typical leadership lesson, but the most influential leaders I have met are those that walk with humility...a humility birthed from a simple awareness of how much they need help.  After our morning gathering Jon took us to lunch at the best sandwich place ever, 5th Avenue Sandwich Shop in Olympia.  Thanks again Jon!

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Wednesday Morning Leaders Gathering
Hosted by Jon Cobler & Bill Ranes at The Youth Connection - Olympia, WA

Church of Living Water - Olympia, WA
Jake Broerer, Administrative Pastor
Eric Matthews, Young Marrieds

Reality Church - Olympia, WA
Paul Jones, Pastor

Calvary Chapel - Olympia, WA
Daniel Williams, Youth Pastor,

Youth Connection - Olympia, WA
Bill Ranes, Executive Director

Anthem School of Ministry - Olympia, WA
15+ Students from Anthem, quality insight from young leaders!

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Random Connection!
On our way to Puyallup for our afternoon gathering we pulled into a Starbucks off I5 when a guy walked out in the parking lot and flagged us down to say hi because he recognized the Vanagon...I remembered him from Catlayst 2007 - he was on our volunteer team!  Kyle Lewallen & Derek Thomas are now church planters in DuPont, WA.  It was great to see the guys, and I am so glad that Kyle came out to say hi!

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Wednesday Afternoon Leaders Gathering
Puyallup Church of the Nazarene - Puyallup, WA

Chris Rodes is the College/Youth Pastor at Puyallup Church of the Nazarene and an Ironman Hero!  He completed his first Ironman in 2008, has summitted Mt. Rainer 4 times, and has a beard that could intimidate the best of men.  He showed us around their church and highlighted something that their college group started - a 24/7 prayer room (pictured below).  Chris shared stories about how this collective attitude of prayer has given way to a spirit of service in the community.  Such an amainzg room full of notes, art, and personal expressions of worship. 

Our leaders gathering was small and gave way to great conversation with personal stories from Kyle Lewallen (Pastor, Life Church in DuPont), Derek Thomas (Pastor, Life Church in DuPont, WA), Chris Rodes, & Rod Stephens (Men's Ministry, Calvary Community Church in Sumner, WA).  It was great to spend time with these guys and hear more about what is happening in DuPont and Puyallup!

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Thursday is my last day in Seattle, highlights from my final day in The Emerald City soon...

LV

(taken from just inside the 24/7 Prayer Room at Pyullap Church of the Nazarene)