I met a friend for beers at a local grill last night.  He had endured a rough couple of weeks…the pre-mature and tragic death of a family friend, various faith frustrations.  I’m dealing with my own frustrations at the moment and those were touched on as well in our conversation.  It wasn’t a gripe session, a counseling session, or “ministry” in the sense of a “reportable activity for Mike Young…Ordained Baptist Minister” (billable hours as my attorney friends might put it).  It was simply a couple of friends in conversation about things deeper than college football recruiting classes, steroids in baseball, or Duke/Carolina basketball.  It was not a flash email or text or cell phone call.  It was actual face-to-face friendship.  It was a spontaneous, 2-hour, mutual pause in the busyness of life between two friends.  It was meaningful conversation.  It was “ministry” in the sense that we were followers of Jesus living life together.
Why is this blog worthy?  Maybe it isn’t.  However I follow that question with another:  When was the last time you did that…had a meaningful conversation about real stuff…transparent, open and honest…with a good friend?  Where did it occur?  For you church people…I’m guessing it probably wasn’t at church (An assumption on my part but I feel confident in its accuracy).  Why is that?