My Dear CCDA Family, Eighteen years ago, I walked wide-eyed into the worship space at Lake Avenue Baptist Church for my very first CCDA Conference. It’s a time I will never forget. I remember thinking, I’ve had more aha moments at Conference than in all my years in the church and seminary. From [...]Read More
Lenten Immerse: Prayers from the Holy Land
This week’s blog contains images from Lisa Rodriguez-Watson’s recent trip to the Holy Land. These images were taken in Bethlehem on the separation wall between the West Bank and Israel. As we observe Holy Week, these images and corresponding prayers can serve as reminder of the purpose of the [...]Read More
Lenten Immerse: Hope
Spring - she’s the audacious, extravagant sister of all the seasons. Breaking through death, she burgeons in both vibrant and pastel hues, and her flowers emanate abundant fragrance. Source: https://fineartamerica.com/featured/big-sprout-kristen-cothron.html The sights, the smells and [...]Read More
Lenten Immerse: Silence
Silence can be an uncomfortable experience. It might feel awkward in a group setting. It can indicate tension in a relationship. However, silence can also be healthy - even necessary. Kitaieva Iryna, Ukraine SILENCE 11 (2018) Painting (70x50x2 cm) Lent, a 40 day period of [...]Read More
Lenten Immerse: Self Examination
Not to Be Reproduced by René Magritte Life’s distractions have a way of steering us away from our true selves as intended by Christ. In our non-stop culture we desperately need Lent, a season meant to reset our perspectives and practices. Even when busy-ness binds our souls, Lent positions [...]Read More
Lenten Immerse: Lament
Over the course of the next 6 weeks of Lent, CCDA is inviting you into a Lenten journey. Each week we will suggest a new spiritual discipline for you, your small group, or church to practice. Excerpts from our Immerse online curriculum will be highlighted to prompt your thoughts and lead [...]Read More
My first CCDA Conference
I'll never forget the Fall of 2002. It was my first CCDA Conference held at Lake Avenue Church in Pasadena, California. Being new to the world of urban ministry I wasn't sure what to expect, and what I found was well beyond anything I anticipated. There was a sense of family in the CCDA network that [...]Read More
Hope: Reflections from Isaiah 11
Advent is all about hope. Hope is that particular kind of waiting with expectation that refuses to be discouraged in the face of delay and detour. Each year during Advent we celebrate and stir hope in our hearts because the Promised One has come. Word became flesh and dwelled among us. Hope was no [...]Read More