Yes… it’s been a while since I’ve returned from the consultation, but I’ve needed a good bit of time to process things – and, in the meantime, summer project has gotten off to a running start. (You can read more about that in the previous post by Glennis.)

My three days at the consultation were jam-packed with all sorts of thought- and heart-provoking conversation and rumination. It’s taken me longer to mull over and absorb some things because I went to that gathering not knowing what to expect.

For one thing, I had no idea how much diversity would actually be represented in this gathering: not ethnic/cultural diversity, or even organizational diversity, but theological diversity. It was a good challenge for me to interact with, appreciate, and be blessed by people who hold different views on a handful of issues.

One of these issues was never addressed directly, but rather emerged in the course of the consultation. Church leaders representing both immigrant-founded, multi-generational churches and multi-ethnic, mostly 2^nd+ generational churches were present, and leaders from both of these groups got to address the entire consultation. It was clear that each of these leaders believe strongly and passionately in their particular model for how to “do” church. What wasn’t made clear, at least from up front, was how we can work together for God’s Kingdom purposes without feeling antagonistic or competitive toward churches that embrace the other philosophy.

Additionally, it was a bit of a challenge to be the only Epic Movement / Campus Crusade person there. My introduction gave cause for a more than a few double-takes at my name tag: either my new friend had never heard of Epic before (the less common reason), or was simply surprised that Campus Crusade would send someone to such a gathering (the more common reason). I’m not sure what that says about Crusade as a whole, and I’m not a gung-ho Crusader by any means, but regardless, I’m glad I had a chance to represent our organization there, for better or worse – (hopefully for better).

As for what we discussed on my track in the consultation – called “Developing and Supporting Women Leaders” – I’ll save that for the next post. Hopefully I’ll be able to share a picture of us at the consultation then, too.