The Fellowship of Kindred Minds

Blest be the tie that binds

our hearts in Christian love;

the fellowship of kindred minds

is like to that above.

It's a beautiful fall afternoon, and all's right with the world!

I just had coffee and great conversation with A.J. Swoboda, college pastor at the Onyx House, the college ministry of Eugene Faith Center on campus of the University of Oregon. We had a fine time talking about churches, pentecostalism, and the books that have shaped us. Seems like A.J. asks everyone he meets what five books have been important to them, and then he jots them down for future reference/reading. I wish I had started doing that when I was his age! From our conversation it looks like I must get hold of Robert Farar Capon's The Mystery of Christ and Why We Don't Get It. Every so often God blesses us with little tastes of heaven!

From A.J.'s webpage:

"Along with his wife Quinn, they live in a Christian co-op with 60 students just off the campus at the University. He recently graduated from George Fox Evangelical Seminary with a Master’s Degree in Biblical Studies and is working on a PhD right now in England at the University of Birmingham. Currently, he is leading the community at the Onyx House, writing, teaching classes on the Pentateuch and Pneumatology, and reading a ton. He loves the environment, the green cause, reading books by dead Christians, Brian McLaren, and watching “The Office” on Thursday nights. "

Clearly God is blessing Onyx House and the Eugene community through A.J. He and Quinn are going to have to come over for dinner sometime. I know Steve would love to meet him.