Monday, April 16
It's all about the networking...
I’ve always enjoyed the networking aspect of doing what I do. I love those connections, finding those people you share common dreams with and exploring how you can journey together in a multitude of ways. (It seems as though this world of ‘blogdom’ is an unbelievable conduit to networking)Just this past week I’ve spent time with four people who fit into that category…
On Monday, our Crossings staff met with Miguel and Paula Carpizo Miguel and Paula Carpizo from Cookeville, TN. The Carpizos have been in the United States and Cookeville for 6 years working with a multicultural community called Connection.
They drove over from Cookeville and we spent a couple of hours talking and dreaming together…what a great discussion we had.
In the midst of the conversation we found out they had connected with Eli Orozco from Community Christian Church & New Thing Network and actually flew out Friday for Chicago to spend the week visiting CCC.
On Wednesday, I met with Sean Alsobrooks. Sean and his family just moved to Knoxville at the end of March from Southern California. They are launching a new church, Knoxville Life at the Pinnacle 18 Theatres at Turkey Creek here in Knoxville in September.
Somehow, a few months ago, Sean and I got connected through
Dave Ferguson at CCC & NTN. I’m so excited for Sean and his family as they take on this new adventure…
For some reason people expect us to be resistant to ‘another new church’, as if we’re in competition. That just seems so ridiculous to me. When did this church planting thing become a game where you compete with other people who have the same heart for God’s people as you do.
One more…On Friday, I spent about an hour on the phone with Ron Klabunde from just north of Philadelphia. We talked adventures of church planting, New Thing Network, and how God puts certain things in your heart that you just can’t dismiss…another great conversation.
I'm continually amazed at the lines of connection that continue to increase in scope. Basically, I beginning to think this world of church planting is just one big game of ‘Six Degrees of Separation from Kevin Bacon’…
Mark Nelson at 7:56 AM 6comments
6 Comments
-
at 1:21 AM
Brokenness-Quebrantado said... Hey, Mark! We are still at Chicago and besides of enjoying the city, I think our brains are fried...too much information, too much passion, to much God in just a couple of days. Like I told you before I think we have been ruined...because we know that "it is possible!".
I think God planned for our lives to be connected exactly in this time...it amazed me how Abba does His work! Looking forward to chat with you Thursday....Please say Hi to your wife and all the Crossings' staff...and looking forward to have lunch together again..let's see if we can meet at Crossville...ok!-
at 5:14 PM
said... Ok so I'm confused Mark 'cause you said you weren't "relational." Hmmn...?
-
at 8:47 PM
Mark Nelson said...
No, I'm just not a 'mingler'...
-
at 9:30 AM
said...
Mark,
I couldn't find your email address so here I am at your blog. Wanted to tell you about Parker Snyder's latest: www.80percentangel.com
The name comes from an Over the Rhine song.
In Christ,
Spike
matthewsspeicher@gmail.com-
at 2:19 AM
Nicole said...
Ohh, that's what you all should do at the next leadership community..see if you can connect Crossings to Kevin Bacon in 6 degrees or less.
I might be able to do it. My brother's really good friend Monica, has a father who sat next to Tom Hanks on a plane ride. And Tom Hanks has gotta be connected to Kevin Bacon. Me, My Bro, Monica, Larry, Tom Hanks...if he connects to Kevin Bacon, we're golden.-
at 11:18 AM
said...
Easy. Casey Galbraith's uncle Rob Galbraith has produced 3 albums for the Bacon Brothers.
Mark, you can get back to bacon in 3 steps. Well played.