What are your summer plans? Many of us take vacations in the summer. If you have children at home still, it is the only practical time to get away.

I also take (and recommend) a summer prayer and study break, trying to get myself ready for the coming year of ministry.

Your church probably also offers exciting activities in the summer: day camps for kids, house boat trips, youth camps at Silver Spur, backpacking trips. Lots of good stuff.

Let me ask you to consider another opportunity. What are you doing with (or for) the other pastors in the NextGen network? One of our values is that we would be "relationally and strategically connected churches."

We have made some good progress in our regional clusters. But most of our regional clusters will not meet this summer. It's hard enough to get us together during the school year. The summer is almost impossible. But what would happen if you took the initiative to contact one other NextGen pastor in your region? What would that do for his encouragement? What would it do for your fellowship together? What might it do for the mission. Perhaps out of a summer connection for coffee, two pastors might decide to unite their churches in a church-plant. Perhaps an idea will emerge for a shared ministry to the needy in your region. Maybe in the strengthening of your association with a fellow pastor, the kingdom of God will advance. Maybe.

It's worth a phone call, right?

If you don't know whom to call, let me know. I'll steer you to another pastor who would love to hear from you.

Let me know how it goes, will you?

Grace,

Brad Franklin

Transitional Director, Next Generation Churches