How important is the place where you are? Does it really matter? Over the past year I've begin to work on a theology of place. I was in a class and Dr. Susan Muto said that the place where we are has an effect on who we are and who we become. She said St. Teresa wouldn't have been St. Teresa without Avila. With Castles all around her she wrote her spiritual classic Interior Castles. She also mentioned that St. Catherine wouldn't have been St. Catherine without Siena. The place where they were had an effect on who they became.

I was asked the other day if I was moving anytime soon because I've been at my current appointment for four and a half years. I don't think the person was asking because they were hoping I would move (at least I hope that wasn't the reason!!!). Instead, they had noticed that most of their pastors had moved after three years of ministry.

I've been told that good things come to those that wait. As a pastor I've discovered I need to keep repeating that to myself.

One of the most important lessons I've learned about transitioning to missional is the lesson of beginning where you are. There is a temptation to believe life would be better somewhere else.