Schmidgalls

maddening

2008-08-27T15:33:00.002-05:00

Living abroad makes you appreciate the customer service in the states. Sure it's gone down in some ways in certain professions, but on the whole, you are taken care of.

Sometimes, that's not the case here.

Kate took off a few days ago and some train tickets came in the mail. None of it seemed to make sense to me. They looked like promotional tickets marking the fall season. Anyways, I threw out all 13 tickets at just over $60/piece.

I got an email from Kate today warning me to be on the lookout for train tickets for a missions team coming over from the states that she was taking care of logistics for.

Uh oh.

I called customer service to explain the situation. I've spoken with several now and each have explained that they cannot reissue lost tickets. We have to purchase new ones.

All I can say is, there is at least one person in a company that can make exceptions to policy-related issues.

It has now become my goal to find that person before I leave.

then there was one

2008-08-25T12:37:00.003-05:00

Kate boarded the train early this morning to travel back to the States. We walked up to Calton Hill late last night which is one of our favorite spots overlooking the city. Had an awesome time of prayer with one another.

I'm here for another week tying up loose ends. It's quiet at the flat. No television, the internet is cutting off tomorrow, and the fringe festival is now over. Though I'm finishing up a research project, I'm excited to have a little time to relax, pray, read, meditate on the past few years and give to the Lord what is His for the future.

One of the things we did was go through our list of supporters and prayed for each one of you. You've made these few years possible. As we continue in ministry in Washington DC, you'll hopefully continue to join us.

The best is yet to come. We're so amped for the next phase in our lives! It's going to be an adventure.

We're dreaming up a bold, exciting initiative that relates to building better bridges between what God is doing throughout the world in missions.

done

2008-08-24T13:08:00.003-05:00

Finished my dissertation a few days ago! What a sigh of relief, feels like I've been walking with someone strapped to my back the past month. Feels kind of weird to be finished with school, the past few days I've felt like I needed to read or write something.

Going to University here has played a significant role in our ministry here in Edinburgh. Integration is one of the biggest challenges when living abroad. Some struggle for years to find their niche or level of influence. We integrated quickly through some God-ordained connections. As we have begun saying our goodbyes, the bulk of our relationships has some degree of connectedness to Edinburgh University.

Excited to continue pursuing my passions in policy issues as we make the move to DC.

Looking forward to getting my diploma, or as I call it, my receipt.

Ok, ready to move to the next challenge!

Unplugged Europe

2008-08-22T13:14:00.003-05:00

Just finished a great Unplugged conference here in Edinburgh. Had 35-40 leaders from 6 countries arrive at a cozy place called the Jazz Bar just in the heart of Edinburgh.

Tony Foley, Mark Batterson, the NCC staff and Andrew McCourt from Northern Ireland did an awesome job.

Couple things I jotted down:

"Imagine you were more creative and look at it again."

"Being relevant is not just being recent."

delirious and hilarious

2008-08-18T16:58:00.002-05:00

Good to have some family in town for a few days, love showing them around. Mark and Joel are over to speak at the Unplugged Conference. They got a few hours of sleep on the red-eye flight so they were deliriously hilarious all day.

They quickly reminded me of one of the many reasons why I'm pumped to go on staff at NCC, always a lot of laughs.

We're golfing St. Andrews tomorrow.

passing of a good friend

2008-08-15T17:46:00.002-05:00

We were on the island of Iona the past several days, but while we were there, I received a phone call that really saddened both kate and I. Joe Zickafoos, the director of Radiate ministries in the UK and long-time Chi-Alpha director at several Universities in the States passed away on Thursday.

We met Joe in Edinburgh a few years ago and instantly connected as fellow missionaries on the field. He made countless trips to visit, challenge and mentor us. He was diagnosed with cancer several months ago and had to move back to the US to receive medical attention. In recent weeks, he acquired pneumonia and finally went to be with the Lord yesterday.

When I received the message, I was heading for a service at the Cathedral on the Island of Iona which is the birthplace of Christianity in Scotland (563 ad).

I thought the final words of the call and response at the end were just right as I reflected on Joe's life and prayed for his family:

Leader: "At our end and new beginning,

ALL: "The arms of God to welcome us and bring us home. Amen."

Joe, you're home.

measuring impact

2008-08-11T11:48:00.004-05:00

3 weeks until we board a jet plane. So many mixed emotions. I've been really focused on getting time in with people that have been important to us in the past few years and want to continue being in touch.

One of the persons we do not want to lose touch with is Donna.

I met with Donna today for lunch. For Donna, her identity is clearly tied to her gender. She became a transsexual a few years ago. She came to Eikon over a year ago, and though she no longer goes, we continue to see her often.

One of the ways we measure impact and change is through stories, and her story is one we'll hold close to our hearts. She is a follower of Christ, but has some serious obstacles she's trying to hurdle over in life. She has always felt judged at Church when all she's been thirsting for was love and acceptance for who she was. It's been a slow process, but we spoke today about how much visible change I've seen in her life, from her attitude, to her understanding of scripture, to how she sees herself in view of the redeemed self through Christ. I've never been more challenged by her in our bible studies, particularly working through the implications for issues such as homosexuality.

All I can say is, she's made a tremendous impact on our lives. We love Donna and are believing God will continue to renew and challenge her to serve through the love of Christ.

I miss Bob Costas

2008-08-08T10:29:00.002-05:00

I'm not gonna lie, watching the Olympics on BBC is just not the same from NBC, the Olympic music, and of course, Bob Costas. All I can say is he's the man. NBC blocks people outside the US to view their website. Suck!

As a student of foreign policy, I watched the opening ceremonies filled with goose bumps and chills. Everyone craves the celebration of solidarity and diversity. I love the pride of one's country. Nothing like watching the US flag and the hundreds of athletes decked out in red, white and blue.

Though the coverage wasn't the same, it was still inspiring to soak up the atmosphere.

Apparently over 4 billion people viewed it.

Let the games begin!

stand-off

2008-08-04T06:12:00.003-05:00

I saw my first police standoff today outside our flat (yes, I'm sheltered).

Bagpiper vs. the police..........

It's been silent the rest of the day.

wired

2008-08-03T22:10:00.002-05:00

I think it's a combination of having a lot of projects to complete in a short period, the Festival just beginning and preparing to leave in a month has me WIRED! I've been going to bed at 4:30-5am each night for the past few weeks and getting up around 9:30 wide awake. It's 4:30 right now and I can't bloody sleep!

God has been so good to us the past few years, I've been in such a rejoicing state as we wind things down. I find myself trying to hold on to every last drop of our experience here in Edinburgh. I'm a nostalgic guy, so already beginning to miss this place. It's been home to experiencing the most personal growth I've ever had. Kate could certainly echo that.

It all started a few years back when a few of my closest friends and I began to say "let's go all in for Christ." Those words have absolutely ruined me in the best possible sense.

God I'm excited for the future!

Fringe

2008-08-02T11:20:00.003-05:00

The Fringe Festival officially kicked off......outside our window! This is the view from where we have dinner. It never gets old.

There is a certain rhythm to the Mile during festival. By the end of the month last year, we could basically map out where each street performer would be and when.

Our blues guy is back singing "sweet home Chicago." Worked till 4am last night, so I awoke to the blues at 10am. A lot better alarm than my ringtones on the mobile.

Good to have the weather turn nice and people laughing and enjoying themselves on the street. What a great way to end our experience in Edinburgh in the last month.

DC

2008-07-29T16:25:00.004-05:00

After weeks of prayer and pondering, finally felt confident in making the move to Washington DC.

We're going to work with an awesome ministry in Washington. I will hopefully be involved in media and missions, something that we're both deeply passionate about. Looking forward to getting some work with an NGO focused on post-conflict recovery.

NCC is an incredibly innovative church. They're one church meeting in four locations (union station theater, ballston theater, Georgetown, and Ebeneezers Coffeehouse). They own and operate the largest coffee house on capital hill, most recently winning the best coffeehouse by AOL City Guide in Washington DC.

With 70% of their demographics being single twenty-somethings and dechurched or unchurched, NCC is making a tremendous impact on not only the local community in DC, but influencing the influencers that work in government and international organizations.

Check out their core values. It'll give you a flavor of what they're all about. Love it! Excited to be able to serve there starting this fall.

worked it out

2008-07-28T09:11:00.004-05:00

Been in a cave known as the library the past few weeks. I'm in tunnel vision for my dissertation. I usually don't worry about essays. The stakes are high on this one though. I'd love to pursue a PhD someday, so the dissertation is kind of a preamble.

Did something stupid the other day though: Got inspired to change case studies on my topic a few weeks ago with only a month remaining. My adviser couldn't believe me! He cc'd the director of my program suggesting he was no longer suitable being my adviser.

For 10 minutes, I had no adviser on the most important essay in my 21 years of education! Let's say my heart was pounding, could have been serious.

.......worked it out:)

Back to writing. Sigh.

Unplugged

2008-07-23T07:05:00.002-05:00

Registration is climbing and coming in on less than a month to the Unplugged Europe Conference!

We wanted to keep it under 50 for the sake of intimacy and conversation. I think there are a few spots left.

Among other things, I'm amped about having Joel and Mark out from NCC. Beyond being family, they're bright, innovative leaders in the Church and will have a rare opportunity to spend uninterrupted time with them in their busy lives.

One of the things we're doing? Golfing St. Andrews!

Site is Live

2008-07-19T12:48:00.001-05:00

Finally got my photography website live. Feels good to have it finished with some minor tweaks still required.

What's really nice is how quickly I can change backgrounds and images around when need be.

How about some feedback.

I can take criticism:)

Click HERE

criticize by creating

2008-07-16T08:10:00.003-05:00

Had a refreshing time speaking with Adam, the student ministries and worship leader at Centrepoint church here in Edinburgh. Got to share about our story of coming to Edinburgh and the challenges of launching a church. They launched Centrepoint almost three years ago, so they're just ahead of Eikon and was a joy to share openly of the joys and difficulties of it all.

One of the things that stuck out was the quote I often share with others: "criticize by creating." Michelangelo was on to something when he coined that phrase almost 500 years ago.

I became cynical and complained about Christians and the Church for several years into my early twenties. Some of it was justified, some of it my own hypocrisy. I wasn't doing anything about it though. It really wasn't until the call to help start a church in Edinburgh that I finally sensed the challenge to act.

When you do finally act, many fall into the trap of defining themselves for all the things they are not, rather than what they are. That's a cyclical mindset, that's easy. It's much harder but much more healthy and productive to actually talk about who you or your organization are going to be and how that will be accomplished.

Bottom line; take your complaining and do something about it.

Centrepoint

2008-07-14T15:52:00.006-05:00

I finally went to Centrepoint Church here in Edinburgh. I met a guy at 2am and got to talking about faith and found out he'd recently discovered Christ and was attending this church that met at a movie theater in town.

Great vibe! Worship was really genuine, very warm and welcoming and had a high percentage of young people participating in the service. I got to meet some of the staff at the end and connected immediately. In fact, Tim Dilena, a pastor in Detroit whom my home church has partnered with for years spoke there last month. Just some random relationships in connection.

Had some synapses firing after meeting them. I'd love to see them attend Unplugged in August, the potential for relationship with Eikon is there.

Seems like we instantly go for the differences between us in the church world, doesn't it? Didn't feel that with these guys. Really sensed a genuine interest in Eikon's ministry as well as sharing about theirs.

I know this is easy to say as I'm leaving, so I'm talking to myself as much as anything: I've seen very little collaboration with churches in this city. There is far more that unites us than divides us. We need to be living that more amongst the greater Christian community.

sick leave

2008-07-11T08:18:00.003-05:00

-I met up with one of my mates today and he had just come off 4 weeks of sick leave having the flu. 4 weeks!

-My boss had just arrived from holiday and I asked how long it was for:
"Not long", she said, "just 3 weeks."
"Three weeks! That's a long time!" I said.
"I usually take a 6-week holiday every year" she replied!

-One of my post-grad colleagues started work for a think-tank this past year and starting holiday leave was 35 days!

-The average American takes 10 days holiday. 30 days in the UK. 38 days in France. 6 days in Korea.

-The average American works 42 hours. 37.5 in the UK. 35 in France. 50 in Korea.

Some of you may want to move to Europe.

missional church - the short answer

2008-07-10T09:28:00.002-05:00

I get asked what "kind" of church Eikon is all the time. Are we pentecostal, evangelical, non-denominational....you get the point. Tony has always stated this and couldn't agree more: Eikon is a missional church.

Here's the short answer of what that is:

Christ told us to go into all the world and be his ambassadors, but many churches today have inadvertently changed the "go and be" command to a "come and see" appeal. We have grown attached to buildings, programs, staff and a wide variety of goods and services designed to attract and entertain people.

Missional is a helpful term used to describe what happens when you and I replace the "come to us" invitations with a "go to them" life. A life where "the flow of Christ" informs and radically transforms our existence to one wholly focused on sacrificially living for him and others and where we adopt a missionary stance in relation to our culture. It speaks of the very nature of the Christ follower.

That is why we were in The Forest Cafe, why we have a totally uncensored Open Mic, and why we now moved into a movie theater.

Here's a simple view:
* From programs to processes
* From demographics to discernment
* From models to missions
* From attractional to incarnational
* From uniformity to diversity
* From professional to passionate
* From seating to sending
* From decisions to disciples
* From additional to exponential
* From monuments to movements
* From being to becoming

keep us in mind

2008-07-09T07:27:00.002-05:00

Kate and I have some decisions to make in the next week or so that will impact what we do for the next 6/7 months. I can't go into detail yet, but we're needing some extra prayer on making a wise, God-centered decision for our future.

There has been a pretty amazing opportunity fall into our lap in recent weeks and we're really discerning this offer.

Sorry for the ambiguity, prayers for future decisions would be hugely appreciated.

how do you stay organized?

2008-07-07T12:25:00.005-05:00

With the vast amount of information available to us every minute of every hour of everyday, I've experimented with several ways of trying to organize and improve my comprehension on so many subjects.

del.ico.us is fantastic. It's a more intelligent program than simply bookmarking. Anytime I read a great article, I simply tag it and write a quick note and tag names. Quick and easy.

Digg.com of course is great for collating the thousands of news feeds throughout the world. It's the most popular feeds decided by you and me.

BlogRovr is what I use to keep track of all my blogs I read. 30% of US population (52% of Japanese) read blogs everyday. I end up spending at least 20-30 minutes reading blogs each morning. It's a great tool.

What has helped the most? I put up rolled poster paper on my wall where I spend a lot of time in my flat and every time I read a phrase worth repeating, I slap it up there. From scripture, to prayer lists, to article quotes and books read; this has hugely helped me retain and organize the bite-sized thoughts.

What do you use to stay organized?

why blog

2008-07-07T11:25:00.002-05:00

This is why:

"Hey, it's funny how God works, isn't it? I google images, 'No perfect people allowed' just to look for the book cover picture and your blog pops up first. I read a few blogs and checked out some other stuff and completely loved it! I would like to get to know you and throw ideas off of each other, because I can tell you are a real thinker and I love guys like that......I am currently building a team to start a church down in FL. Wew ill be reaching all we can here in the States and I feel God has led me to your site for a reason......Jason."

I love redeeming technology by enabling relationships like this to unfold.

Anticipating additional God-connections like this to happen in the future.

skye

2008-07-05T14:11:00.003-05:00

Skipping stones by the sea, overlooking ancient castles, learning gaelic, spending time with close friends; what an amazing trip we had up to the north of Scotland on an island called Skye.

Maxwell's family (tracing his lineage back over 1000 years) came from Skye, so he gave us an amazing tour of his family's castle and the lands he grew up in. Such a rough and wild landscape. Incredible.

Hanging out on the beach.
Having seafood with Maxwell, Harry, and Pat.

Enjoyed the opportunity to share about the past few years in ministry with Harry and Pat and talk about some ideas for launching a peace and reconciliation organization in the near future.

Following Christ is not boring.

new site

2008-06-30T21:25:00.004-05:00

Pretty excited, I've been putting in a lot of hours for my new photography website.

Almost done.

I think it's going to be pretty sweet. I'm hoping to really grow my business in the next year with a number of cool possibilities on the horizon already. I love the creative side of it, but it's also my way of building greater capacity for travel and wild adventures for years to come.

Heading up to the Highlands tomorrow for 3 days. Mixing a little business with pleasure. We've got a few meetings up north on an island called Skye. Should be amazing.

anywhere, anytime

2008-06-28T12:52:00.001-05:00

Went out last night to celebrate our great friend Darren perform his final concert before heading off to the States to raise more support. He and his wife have a very creative approach to ministry, focusing on reaching the arts community in Edinburgh.

Edinburgh is a hot-bed for the arts. It is not suitable for short-term missions; it's a grueling task and am so inspired by their calling to serve here for the long-term.

After the concert, went out to a bar with he and some other people I'd never met and got to talking with this one chap in whom I discovered a lot of commonalities. Not sure how it came up, but he's a drummer at a church that meets in a theater here in Edinburgh and has a similar passion to reach the unchurched twenty-something.

I'm going to check them out next week and hoping there could be a partnership with this local church. It's so important to link arms with other bodies of believers in the area.

Even at 2:45 am in a bar God enables seeds for collaboration. Love it.