Run Report

Posted by Joe Thorn - 04/02/08

I haven’t put up a run report in a while, and am thinking this is something I should probably do a bit more regularly. I just got in from a quick 5k, stretched, drank some water, and had a little atheist’s nightmare. Mmmmm, atheist’s nightmare.

Anyway, during a Q&A time at the Acts 29 Bootcamp last week Mark Driscoll explained that every pastor needs a “lightning rod” and a “release valve” (watch some video where he covers this last year). Since the summer of last year, running has been my release valve. It expels stress I don’t need and am often unaware of. Consequently, it makes me a happier person. It gives me real alone time where my mind can drift free or focus in on something specific. If you don’t have a good release valve (or maybe even if you do), I want to encourage you to consider running.

9 reasons you should run.

1. It’s cheap and easy to learn.
I started running in old, cheap trainers, and decade old shorts and tees. Go online, visit the library, cover the basics and you are off and running. Literally. There are high-end gadgets and clothing, but so far I have avoided all of that.

2. It produces results fast.
Internal and external changes happen very quickly. Weight loss is noticed first, but your heart reaps benefits quickly as well.

After a few months of running, your heart’s walls thicken and the ventricles (internal chambers) increase in size. As a result, more blood is sent to your lungs with each heartbeat, and your resting pulse can decline by 20 per cent or more. What’s more, if you run for 145 minutes per week, you are on average 40 per cent less likely to have a heart attack.

3. It reduces stress and makes you feel better.

4. It strengthens your knees and joints.
Don’t listen to your friends. Running will not kill your knees. The short version of the truth is - improper running is the cause of injury, proper running strengthens the body.

5. It fights disease.

6. It connects you to your community in new ways.
You will meet new people, and see and relate to your neighborhood differently when you start running it (more on that later).

7. It will boost your self-esteem.
I’m not encouraging pride here. My point is that many of us, the couch potatoes and the never-has-beens, give up before we begin. I was never an athlete before I started running, and I was completely unaware what the human body was capable of - what my body was capable of. If you start running you will start believing that you can do more than you ever thought.

8. You probably need to run. Just look at yourself.

9. God made you to run.
Why do you have a butt? To run. You don’t really use it otherwise (sitting shouldn’t count as a use).

On the other hand, Ian’s suggestion is that you quit before you get started.

A29 Recommended

Posted by Joe Thorn - 04/02/08

We received our assessment report this morning from Acts 29, and we are being recommending as candidates for the network. This means I now have to complete the next two phases of the application process before full membership is granted. The assessment is not simply a “yes or no” recommendation, but a close look at a planter’s/pastor’s strengths and weaknesses. Our assessors (Bob, Steve and Kyle) were very helpful in clarifying my areas of weakness and made appropriate suggestions for me. The one condition that was given in order for me to continue was that I submit to a coaching relationship with a trained church planting coach. All of this - the recommendation, and the insights of our assessment team - is very encouraging for us. Please continue to pray for us and Redeemer as we move forward.

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