It’s just Andrew and Tim this week. Andrew spent the last several days at a denominational conference in Chicago. It was cold, a little discouraging, and spiritually character building in the way only winter and long meetings can be. Thankfully, church on Sunday reminded him why we do this in the first place.

Back at Safety Harbor, it was too cold for anyone to sit outside, which somehow led to a great problem. A bunch of college students showed up. There was also a little bit of exploding communion and foot washing. Not really, but almost.

At Lakeview, the cold weather forced baptisms to move indoors. Unfortunately, the heat was not working, so the symbolism remained intact. Cold water, cold air, warm faith. Tim is now officially entering the fundraising chapter of his ministry career as Lakeview begins the process of building their new worship center.

Andrew is recording from Chicago this week, in town for a denominational conference and surviving winter one session at a time. Frank hosted a Cross & Crown launch party at a local coffee shop, proving once again that church planting runs just as much on caffeine as it does on faith.

Back at Lakeview, Tim officially unveiled the new site plan to the congregation, complete with vision, anticipation, and the collective sound of people trying to picture where everything will go.

From conference halls to coffee counters to construction drawings, it’s another reminder that ministry happens in a lot of places, and none of them are boring.

Tim is grieving. The Jags lost, and we are all choosing to respect the process. Andrew is still faithfully preaching through the Gospel of John, now 20 weeks in and only 10 chapters down. At this rate, we’ll finish sometime around the second coming, but no one is rushing perfection.

Frank, on the other hand, had a big week. Cross and Crown hosted an official event and over 400 people showed up, which is either incredibly encouraging or deeply terrifying, depending on the moment. Lakeview is in full vision-casting mode, talking future, direction, and what’s next.

Meanwhile, Safety Harbor is trying very hard to be a good neighbor… even when there’s a zydeco band playing right outside during the service. Nothing tests pastoral focus like an unexpected accordion solo in the middle of prayer.

Ministry is happening, the Gospel is still being preached, and the neighbors are definitely having more fun than we are.