Off the Map Wrap

Off-the-Map: Friends
Off-the-Map: Learning
Off-the-Map: Friday
Off-the-Map: Saturday

There were several other things I wanted to write about this weekend that didn't fit well into the other posts.

One point I wanted to make is how easy it is to be lost in a conference like this...not literally, but emotionally and mentally. There is such a deep well of intellect, experience and theology at an event like this that one might end up feeling a bit out of their league if one isn't presently writing a book, heading a ministry or pursuing a DMin. If one stops to think about it, it will quickly overwhelm.

However the tidal energy in this place was one of passion...passion to treat others as equals (otherlyness)...passion to create space for the marginalized...passion for alternatives to the modern forms and methods of ministry and music. Those passions ebb and flow in ongoing conversations, experience-trading and connections that are made.

Last year we were taught a great deal by Brian McLaren and George Barna. This year we all learned a lot from each other.

I did like the format this year with the wide variety of workshops...my only complaint about that would be that no matter which workshop I was in, I felt as though I was missing something else I wanted to hear equally as much. In other words, it really would have been better to repeat some of the workshops in different time slots so there was more than one opportunity to experience each.

Also, as is typical with Off the Map, this was a conference greatly leaning toward white males. I know the heart of OTM is for this not to be he case...but nonetheless both women and those of a race other than white were clearly in the minority both as speakers and attendees. I don't mean this as a put-down, as I said, I know that OTM wishes this weren't true. This year was a clear improvement over last year in that arena, and I would hope to see it even more so next year.

The other things I want to share have to do with relationships. I love spending time with Pam. Our personalties are so different, but we get along well that we complement each other. I also can't say how much it meant to me to spend time with Ché, my new sister. She and I spent most of the weekend together, going to workshops together, sharing meals, etc. On Saturday afternoon, after the conference, we did some shopping and that was great fun.

Saturday evening, Pam, Ché and I decided we needed to go out on the town. Esther had already left for her return to Vancouver, so it was just the three of us. We found an Olive Garden and had dinner and asked the waiter where we could hear some live music. He recommended a place in downtown Kirkland, so we decided to check it out.

That place didn't turn out to be for us, but we found a venue a block or so away called Calabria. They had a live band playing covers of rock hits from the 70's. We had a few drinks and enjoyed the music. We even danced to songs like Sweet Home Alabama, Heart of Gold and Drift Away.

Sunday morning Ché had to leave fairly early, with 8 hours of travel ahead of her. It was sad to say goodbye because we had such a great time, but here's hoping it won't be too long before we can hang out again.

Pam and I had an entire day to kill, since we weren't expected home until Sunday evening. She met for bit with a family member who lives in the area, while I checked out of the hotel. I happened to have an interesting conversation with the front-desk person. He had heard we had been at a Christian conference and he told me he's a Christian too. We had a great talk about how Christianity isn't about rules or about converting people and I told him about Off the Map. He was interested and said he would definitely check them out. I encouraged him that God has placed him in a job where he has the chance to talk with many people from all over, and to listen to the Spirit when he feels led to share with someone about his faith.

Pam and I decided then to spend some time at Seattle's waterfront Pike Place Market. I had never been there and had a great time perusing the wares and chatting with people. We had some awesome Chinese food for lunch there, where the staff was impressed that Pam knew some Cantonese. I bought some souvenir t-shirts for my boys and then Pam got coffee at the Original Starbuck's across the street from the market, still featuring the original Starbuck's logo.

Then it was time to return home. It really was a fantastic weekend and I'm very glad I went. There were connections made, friendships grown and experiences shared.

Success, if you ask me.