Me, Don Miller, Nick, and Christian at Catalyst West 2012
On Sunday, one of my closest friends moved away. His family is running a restaurant in southern California, and he’s going to help them get it off the ground. Throughout the past two years and couple months I’ve lived in Oregon, we’ve grown to be transparent, thoughtful, and comedic comrades.
I first met Christian Schaefer upon moving to Oregon. He was one of the first guys to introduce himself when I initially visited the young adult Bible study I now call home. Here are some of the things I like about him:
- Most people think he’s older than he really is. I thought he was at least two or three years older before he told me.
- We communicate in the same languages: dry wit and biting sarcasm.
- While he exudes maturity sometimes, there’s also a major presence of unbridled passion and energy. He carries a sort of childlike/childish swagger.
- He’s got a tenacious appetite for reading, theology, and philosophy. Really interesting (read: bizarre) question-asker.
- We mentored a group of middle school boys together. Christian’s concern and encouragement for those guys is tangible.
- Christian’s an aspiring leader, teacher, and pastor. He’s a valuable servant asset to our young adult community, Solid.
- In almost every sermon or talk he facilitates, he makes a Batman reference, because…
- He is an outrageous comic fan and collector.
- Christian and I were housemates. During hot summer nights, he developed an efficient “Schaefer system” house-cooling method.
- Every time we’ve smoked cigars, the conversation has been rich and authentic.
- Christian, Nick and I went to the Catalyst leadership conference in southern California together in April. Great time of learning, inspiration, and fun with these close friends.
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What things do you value about your good friends?
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Read more about friendships and moving forward.
Nine hours is a long time to be around new people.
Being in a room with my three best friends…for the first time in a year.
How I got my best friends.
