It's the 3rd Year!

Our arrival is complete. Once again that class of 2011 has left behind their families and congregations to descend upon Chicago for 18 days of focused discourse on homiletics. It's amazing to be part of a group that only sees one another for three weeks a year, yet is so intimately connected both as individuals and as preachers. It was great last night to gather around a table at a local restaurant and get everyone caught up on what's happened in our lives, our loved ones and our congregations. It is truly humbling to be amongst such wonderful caring people that are utterly committed to preaching and the vocation to which they've been called. While there is a part of me that is glad this is the last residency, a piece of me is deeply saddened by that awareness and so as Gerhard says, "I am of two hearts on this matter" as our final residency begins.