A bit of stream of consciousness in bullet list form (my favorite combination of communication tools):

Randy Elrod (re:create founder), “The Curse of the Blessings of God”
For the first time in the 9 years of this event, Randy was the speaker for a session.  Out of his own long history in ministry, he shared incredible insights with honesty and wisdom.  This session left me feeling hopeful…. which I realized is not a place I live very often. My twitter comment after this session was something like: “It’s as thought Randy Elrod just pointed us to a skylight in a previously darkened room and said “Hey! Look up!  Sky!”

memorable points…

  • we think technology means “reality & freedom”, when it really means “artificial & monopolizing”
  • be where you are
  • we need relationships with real people who are physically present in our lives
  • “Satan’s primary job may not be keeping good men from the truth, but keeping good men with the truth from each other” (can’t remember whose quote this is)
  • without intentional safeguards in place, being a successful leader & influencer will lead to a place of loneliness
  • in the end we have a choice:  burnout & cynicism vs. being true to what God has called you to, regardless of what change that brings to your current situation.

The Eucharist, with Ian Morgan Cron
We learned a bit about Ian Cron during our first session with him (listed here) and sitting with him at a few meals. We learned he is a theologian, a teacher, a Christ-follower, an Anglican priest, a man with a fierce sense of humor, and a visionary.  He taught us about the liturgy of the Eucharist (most often called ‘communion’ or ‘Lord’s Supper’ in our church), which was something I had never heard explained.  He then led us through a Eucharist service that he and a colleague had written for his church.

We each had a chance to come forward and receive the bread from Ian and the cup from Randy.  We prayed, confessed, sang, cried, proclaimed…. all in an atmosphere of beautiful reverence that I have never quite experienced before.  I love being in an atmosphere of quiet & beauty.  Some things bubbled to the surface for me that I’ll spend a while thinking about and praying through.

Anne Jackson
Anne has recently released a book called Mad Church Disease.  I have just begun to read it.  The book is about the epidemic of burnout among those who work in church ministry.  Anne spoke about her own experiences, made some clear observations, and asked us to consider two questions:

  •  is serving in the church interfering with your communion with Christ?
  • are you living in the integrity of your conscience?

She invited us to spend time praying with each other over these questions.  It was a sweet time.

Music
Josh Wilson.  Amazing musical artist.  Don’t think I had heard of him before, but after seeing/hearing him perform about 4 songs live with just his guitar & keyboard, I downloaded his entire CD.  You should too.

Fee Band closed out the conference our last evening.  I first heard Steve Fee on a Passion CD several years ago. After experiencing his band lead worship, these are some thoughts that went through my head…. He has been mentored by some incredible people.  He is incredibly intense, but equally engaging. Songs are amazing.  Band is incredibly tight and strong. They brought the thunder. Period.  I know Steve didn’t go from college-student-with-guitar to award-winning-band overnight, and that adds to the unmistakable impression that he has learned and experienced and led and followed enough to be in front of a crowd and lead in worship with integrity, energy, sincerity, and an incredibly mix of humility and confidence.  Yes.  I am a fan. 

Also heard from Tenth Avenue North, Sara Reeves, Carl Cartee, Travis Cottrell, and Chris Sligh.

I have non-stop mixes of everyone’s songs running in my head.  Quite the musical feast.

Conversation
While I won’t recap the contents, I do have to say that one of the most valuable things about this conference is the chance to talk to others who live in similar ministry situations as we do.  Sharing about past journeys, present questions, future prayers…. everything from big-picture-questions to specific issues that come up in ministry.  I came here having met a few people last year and having learned to know a few others through blogs and twitter. Neil came here never having met anyone, but having connected a bit through blogs.  We leave feeling as though we have a new, solid circle of friends in our lives.

We are awed and grateful.