Mark Scandrette

THE MARK & LISA TEAM  As our kids become teenagers with more independence, Lisa and I have begun to think about how we can partner in our work more synergistically. This year Lisa has taken over an increasing amount of responsibility on our ReIMAGINE team and we’ve started to dream about common work we can do that fits with our passions and gifts. At the New Conspirators conference in Seattle we taught a workshop together entitled “Intentional Parenting and Missional Living.” Over fifty people participated and were very engaged in the question of how to nurture children in a way that connects them with God’s holistic mission in our world. We shared about how we try to live the seven vows of our community as a family. After our session many people stayed around to talk more–particularly with Lisa. As you probably know, in our family I’m generally the one who talks the most and enjoys the crowd. But in our community and circles of influence  Lisa is sought after as a wise woman with a lot to teach. We find this to be true even among the college students who come to visit us. I really feel like in our family, Lisa shines as someone who quietly lives out our deepest values and beliefs most consistently in the details of life and relationships.  

THE NEW CONSPIRATORS… a conference hosted by Tom & Christine Sine as part of the launch of Tom’s new book of the same name. In this well researched book Tom, a noted futurist examines four streams of new expressions of the church in the western world: the emergent, missional, mosaic, and monastic. Although our work with ReIMAGINE might be described as emergent, missional or monastic—for this conference Lisa and I were asked to represent  communities who live in close proximity to one another and try to live by common commitments. We spoke on several panels, and in addition to our workshop, I taught on action-oriented spiritual formation inspired by the way Jesus trained his disciples.

Birds have captured Noah’s attention over the past 6 months. With the camera he bought with his own earnings he has passionately been taking pictures of birds. His photography will be featured in an upcoming art show through Reikes Center. (see  his photo of a female Kestral below). 

March is spring break for many students—and for us this means a month packed with visiting groups of students from various colleges and universities. Twenty-five students from Winona State spent the first week of March with us, followed by students from Vanguard University, Westmont College and group middle schoolers and adults from the East Bay.

For many of the groups that visit us, the city offers an eye opening look at the diversity and complexity of humanity, a vision of the future, and an invitation to seek the way of Jesus more fully in every dimension of life.  Here’s what one group organizer had to say about their experience with us:

 “I want to say thank you for sharing with my team this past week.  They really caught on to the vision that you cast for ReImagine and for SEVEN.  It deeply challenged them and their perspective of their role in the church and in their relationship with Jesus.  It came out through the number of deep conversations we had on the drive home. Students forming their own relationship with Jesus separate from that of their parents is a huge part of why I do what I do.  So thank you for giving them something of depth to process.” 

Our day-long prayer and poetry exercise continues to be a favorite trans-formational experience for visiting groups—as they walk through various neighborhoods encountering new foods, people and cultures.  We invite people to look for signs of God in the fabric of the city and to ask for the Maker’s dream and will to be “on earth as it is in heaven.” Groups also join us in service projects in various neighborhoods–  painting and cleaning at community centers and cooking and eating with homeless friends.

Most groups also do a creative art and prayer exercise. This spring we developed a new project in which groups make colorful flags that express their prayers for the city. We hang these sets of flags around the neighborhood to add beauty and a lasting symbol of the intersessions of the students. Groups also spend time with people from our community who work in various professions and challenge the students to find ways to intentionally seek God’s kingdom in their vocational choices and lifestyle.

We do our best to not only welcome students into the city but also into our lives and the life of our community. Lisa and I have each group come to our house for a meal during their visit and we spend the evening with them cooking and talking. Its an opportunity for us to help students process their experiences and further integrate the message of the gospel into their every day lives.