I know it would be alliterated if it said, "Friday is for Friends." However, I am always behind a couple of days. Here are a few friends, new and old, from the last week.

David Dockery and Union University

I heard from David this week. He is president of Union University. I have written before about Union and its recent tornado damage.

Union has become a remarkable institution seeking to integrate robust academics and a deep Christian faith commitment. I will be preaching in chapel on Oct. 24th. I may bring my oldest daughter along since I have told her she is going to college at Union. (I am still under the impression that my 9 year old daughter will attend the school of my choice when it is time for college.)

Becky Brittain

A week ago today I was inside the White House grounds. We were tromping around the running track where President Bush runs and just snapping away a bunch of Rose Garden photos. Becky Brittain got us past the crowds with her special I.D. (more on that in a minute) so we had a good time without any waiting in line.

Becky took a picture of Jaclyn, me, and my long-time friends Larry and Sharon Bull:

I stole the picture from Becky's blog here.

Becky is a CNN producer (hence the White House pass) and a Christian. She travels with the President and meets all sorts of important people. She blogged about the Pope (and me) here, having dinner at King Abdulla's place, and pictures with the President. So, let's just say that her blog is more exciting than mine. I have since added hers to my bloglines reader.

By the way, Becky is single and if any of you single men are not scared off by someone smarter then you, with a career, who studied journalism (not basket weaving) in school, you might want to drop by her blog and ask her out. It is called, "What's News with Becky."

Paul Edwards

Paul interviewed me from his studio at WLQV in Detroit. Honestly, Christian radio makes me nervous. Too many people who have already made up their mind and are just looking for you to be a foil for their sound bites. I did not find Paul to be the case. He asked good questions and I was impressed. You can find his site here and you can listed to Friday's program there.

Jeff Gallaway

Jeff's new book, Visional Life, arrived in the mail this week. Jeff sent an early draft to me a few months ago and I was impressed with his passion and vision expressed in the book.

I got to know Jeff when I co-planted Lake Ridge Church in North Georgia. We wanted to use the site www.lakeridgechurch.net but another Lake Ridge Church had the domain. Well, Jeff had planted that church. We talked. He gave us .net and he used .com.

Jeff could not get enough of church planting so he is now planting the Bridge Church at Perry. He blogs here and the book website is here.

The Tangible Kingdom

My friends Hugh and Matt have released a new book. The book promo explains:

In The Tangible Kingdom, authors Hugh Halter and Matt Smay help Christians and church leaders understand the Biblical concept of community as the key to evangelism, spiritual formation and enjoyment of life.

Written for those who are trying to nurture authentic faith communities and for those who have struggled to retain their faith, The Tangible Kingdom offers theological answers and real-life stories that demonstrate how the best ancient church practices can re-emerge in today's culture, through any church of any size. The Tangible Kingdom offers new hope for church leaders, pastors, church planters, and churchgoers who are looking for practical new ways to re-orient their lives to fit God's mission today.

Hugh and Matt sent me a preview copy a few months ago and I am glad to see it out. They have been training church planters in missional incarnational approaches to church planting and I think they have much to say.

They have a site with video, blogs, and other resources here.

Dale Braswell

Dale came by this week (with an unnamed friend) to talk about church planting. Then he showed up at my church today with Tina (his wife) as I preached through James.

They are heading to Seattle. He has big plans and no money (and he asked me for some... 'gotta love church planters).

Talking to Dale made me miss church planting, want to quit my job, move to a city, and plant a church. Pray for him and the team he is gathering to go to Seattle to plant. You can find his blog here.

Tina is a better blogger than he... and you can find her blog here. And, this post (from Tina) challenged me and reminded me why I love church planters:

We're already learning that if you're in church planting, you must always be ready for your plans to change.... Which goes completely against my "plan ahead" nature. But God must have been conditioning me for this, because I'm not going completely crazy! We still have not sold our Nashville home. So, first and foremost, if you're reading this, please say a prayer that it will sell very soon. Because of this, we've had to adjust some things with the purchase of our Seattle home. Therefore, we don't have a definite move date yet.

This brings me to another issue. Dale and I made the decision a couple of weeks ago for him to look for a part-time job in Seattle in order to stretch out the funding we've currently received. Because we don't know how much longer we may be in Nashville, he's decided to look for a job here that will allow him to work even though we're moving soon and/or one that could transfer to Seattle when we move. So, you can also be praying that he finds such a job that will also give him the flexibility he needs to still focus much of his time on Connect Church.

We are not discouraged. We know that everything will happen in God's timing and it will turn out better than what we had planned. God continues to show us daily that His hand is upon us and that He is providing for what we need. As a good friend reminded me recently, God is faithful to provide our DAILY bread, so we need not worry about tomorrow.

That is why I love church planters.

Todd Wilson, Neil Cole, Tom Jones, and Alan Hirsch

I am writing this in Orlando getting ready for the Exponential Conference. Todd, Neil, Tom, and Alan and I got together (with Todd's mom).

Todd is the brains behind the whole Exponential Conference that has become the premier church planting conference in the country. I will share more about my time with the other folks tomorrow.

More soon from the Exponential Conference...