CHURCH LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

          Last month I was invited to attend a three day leadership conference.  The pastor who called me was offering me a FREE ticket to the event (worth $245).  How could I say no?  It was held in Chicago, but simulcast to over 125 satellite locations throughout the country. 

          I went not knowing what to expect, but intrigued by their list of speakers which included: Colin Powell, Carly Fiorina (former head of HP), Jimmy Carter, and Richard Curtis (director/writer of “Four Weddings and a Funeral”).

          I arrived bright and early at Church on the Hill (where the simulcast was taking place) and found a comfortable chair close to the front so I wouldn’t be tempted to fall asleep.  The sanctuary held about 250 people and we just about filled it. 

          Immediately and surprisingly (I’m not sure why, but I was surprised) I felt a strong sense of the spirit. Somehow I knew this was going to be a powerful experience.  The conference began with an amazing video of three young adults talking us through the history of the church.  I was so impressed – I bought the DVD and when we get our projection system installed, you will just have to see it!

Bill Hybers, the senior pastor of The Willow Creek Church was our first speaker and the host of the conference. He asked the question, “How is God trying to get through to you?” Do I sense the spirit trying to tell me something? If all we are doing is sitting in the pews being comfortable and safe – then where is God?  Jesus never stayed where it was comfortable and safe. The spirit is alive and well – are we feeling it?  Where is it calling us to go? 

He followed that up with asking, “What is our vision as a church, as a congregation? AND is that vision a vision worth dying for?”   We will all come to a fork in the road when it comes to our vision.  We have two choices.  One is to become a hired hand and just do what we are told.  As a hired hand, when things get hard we can quit or run away.  The other path is that of an owner. Being an owner often requires sacrifice.  We will be willing to stand up for and fight for something we own.  Are we a hireling or an owner?

On our last day, Richard Curtis, filmmaker, was one of our featured speakers.  He talked about how the real mark of a follower of Jesus is how a person deals with the things that break the heart of God. Things like hunger, homelessness, the sick, those in prison.  That’s where Jesus concentrated his ministry.  That’s how Jesus says we will be judged (see Matthew 25:31-46). 

One of our callings as Christians is to go where Jesus would go.  To do what Jesus would do.  His question to us was, “Would Jesus be stuck in the pew?  Would he be satisfied with just throwing dollars at the problem of poverty and hunger in the world?” My guess is no. 

I wish I had more room to write about some of the other wonderful speakers that shared their stories.  If you ever have a chance to hear Marcus Buckingham – do whatever you can to do so.  He was, hands down, the most dynamic speaker we had. 

Suffice it to say, I was moved and motivated and changed by my few days up on the “Hill.”  I hope I was able to provide a glimpse of why that was.  You will hear more in the months to come. 

Be blessed, my friends … and I’ll see you on Sunday!

Pastor Tom