Diversity Day

We just got back from our elder retreat. In case you're not Presbyterian, I'm not referring to a weekend get away with the numerous 55 and up communities that dot our lovely landscape down in Florida. Elders are those who have been elected by the congregation to oversee the flock.

5 of us got away, because the 6th is somewhere on the Appalachian Trail. We had a good time to reflect upon the goals of an elder, the way we live out the goals, and how we live them out (our attitude and disposition). Quite helpful, though I'm ready for a break since I have to preach and get some more coffeehouse stuff done.

Anyway, we found refuge at an Episcopalian retreat center in Ellenton/Parrish (I forget which one), as did a number of other like and unlike minded folks. There was everything from a theosophist group (I'm going to be googling that one soon) to Woodland Community Church's Men's "Wild at Heart follow-up retreat." It was kind of funny because they had a HUGE African-American dude as their keynote speaker. Probably a different cat than Eldredge.

Aside from the obvious departure from orthodoxy of the theosophist group (I did read some notes on their wall like "inner light" and stuff like that before folks started staring), there were a number of other evangelical groups pressing on toward the prize. Its always good to be reminded that my or your particular stream of Christianity makes up only a part of the Church as a whole. Otherwise we become a bit too myopic, and eventually frustrated-as though its only US who Jesus is using to build His Kingdom.