Have Your Own Yosemite Summit

Yosemite Summiteers 2009

It’s official! The 2009 Yosemite Summit Unconference for Children’s Pastors has been filled. The 9 guys above will be setting aside ministry for four of the best days of their life in May. I’ll introduce you to them more in the weeks and months ahead, but for now I just wanted to let you know this event is now full. (There are still four openings in our women’s Unconference, however.)

For those of you who were considering this event and were unable to attend for one reason or another – let me encourage you! Yosemite Summit can still bless you in one of the two following ways:

1) Right NOW, mark ALL of May 2010 off on your calendar as a sabbatical month. Not only might it help you come with me next year, it’s still a good idea. I know take two ‘sabbatical’ months a year. Does that mean I get off work? Nope. It means that I plan two months out of the year where I block out the entire month for no out of town trips or large events that don’t absolutely have to be during that month. I have learned the hard way that if you don’t MAKE TIME to be home more with your family, life won’t let you. YOU are the only one who can control your calendar and the demands placed upon you. Look ahead to the future, and block out a month where you will not travel or do any large events. A month where you go home very evening. For me, it has been May and December for the past two years. For you it may be different, but I can’t tell you strongly enough how much you NEED to do this. If you doubt me, just ask your wife. So whether it is May 2010 (so you can come to Yosemite Summit) or any other month, right now, look far ahead and block off a month. I can tell you, if you don’t do it, no one else will!

2) Right NOW, (well, after you do the one above), look not quite as far ahead, perhaps within the next 4-6 months and look for a time when you can take at least two, if not three full days to spend some concentrated time with God. Not enough vacation time? You might be surprised at how willing your SP or boss might be willing to grant the time as work time – if you sell it right. You want to spend time praying, listening, evaluating, and re-aligning your heart and mind and plans with what God has for your ministry. Most senior pastor’s will grant this time. If not, be creative and make the time. There IS a way, if you want it bad enough, and I bet God wants it bad too and will help you find it. One day is NOT enough! Find a place you can get away to. Your wife and kids will survive, and besides, they might like you better when you return.

Bottom line: You don’t need Yosemite Summit to benefit from what this event is about: Detaching from the busyness of ministry to spend focused time with God. If you were not able to come to Yosemite Summit due to cost, calendar conflicts, or other constraints, the good news is, you STILL have have your own summit with God. What are you waiting for? Schedule it now! And I’d love to hear about it too.

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