Yes, I am back.  Lots of stuff to talk about in the past several months since the last post and I'll get to those but for now, it's good to be back....

Travel day back to the United States...As I wrap up my final day in Europe, I cannot begin to think about how much I have appreciated this opportunity to participate in something that is both exciting as well as challenging. To have seen a glimpse of communities of faith intersect with post Christian Europe has been an education in and of itself. From the urban square of Amsterdam and Hilversum in Holland, to the cultural center of engagement in Copenhagen, I am eager to return and start planning for the vision of doing similar work in Seattle. I am eager to collaborate with community and civic leaders, along with my newfound friends in Europe towards something that will be greater than ourselves. Let the work begin...Soli Christo Gloria.

Travelling in Europe with my colleague Craig Mathison is making this one of the most enjoyable trips that I have ever taken. Craig is a walking dictionary and as he has spent several years in Europe, helps me in terms of language, culture, as well as history. Craig is one of those special people who amazes you with his wisdom, challenges you on your assumptions, engages you in interesting conversation, and encourages you in your person.

Oh, and I finally took the car to about 180 today driving back through Germany to Amsterdam!

Dinner is spent eating Tapas and reflecting at what lies ahead.

What can I say about the Copenhagen Culture Center other than, IT IS AMAZING. They know how to engage their culture in order to improve their community and as we sit and meet with various leaders within their organization, I am amazed at how they did it and at the same time, humbled and challenged to know that this is what I want to be a part of in Seattle. Meeting Rune, Bhotan, Tore, Lars, Michael, Katrina, and Myenna helped me see that they have an awesome team that knows and articulates their mission with clarity and complexity.

We have dinner with the “mastermind” behind this, Jarle. With both eruditeness and brevity, you can see why this place is an excellent organization. In one way, with the work that I do, I have “met my occupational counterpart” in Denmark in Rune, and Bill has met his in Jarle.

Over the next few days, we are meeting with the Copenhagen Culture Center, whom we want to learn how they ask questions about their culture and do so in a way that engages people into the discussion in order to improve their world. I have always wanted to be part of an organization whose mission is to do so, and so this is going to help me learn how this is done.