Wow! Overwhelmed! Excited! Challenged! Even envious – in a good way! That’s my impressions today with “Exponential – Part 2”.
I’ve got to tell you it’s exciting to see about 3200 church planting leaders assembled all in one area. The cool thing I experienced today is the confirmation that God “is doing a new thing”. I mean the “flavor” of the people here is very “contemporary”. I mean there’s a whole new young generation out there wanting to do creative new things in ministry in the hopes of reaching and connecting with people who are disconnected from God. There’s a real passion to think more about mission for this day and age versus doing church the way it has always been done before.
Anyways it’s really good being here and as you might know with most conferences, there’s a lot of Plenary Sessions to attend as well as many workshops. But let’s not forget the “networking” that happens at lunch or supper times, of for someone like me who will actually miss out on a workshop because of a key conversation to be had with a leader from the North American Mission Board. Of course we talked about Canada and the situation in Eastern Canada and specifically the need and role for an ECMC. This leader totally agreed and sees the great need for something radical to happen. He admits and knows that “I am crazy” but confirms that is what is needed right now for our situation in Canada. So it was good timing to forget the workshop and have this key conversation instead.
At the same time I am hearing all this good stuff about churches and church planting and networks and leadership development and what works and what doesn’t and the many “success stories” here in the USA, I do find it hard hearing some of those things from a Canadian perspective because the majority of what I am hearing is so far from the reality of most churches and pastors and ministry leaders in Canada. So in some ways, it’s a mixed-feeling kind of day. I mean even a well known author, and I can say his name publicly because he said this publicly today, Alan Hirsch, made the comment as he started his workshop saying “you Americans know how to do things big here” because he was relating how his workshop was well attended by at least 1200 people. Alan is from Australia and is not used to this size of workshop.
Well one more day at this conference tomorrow. Then I’ve got to leave a bit earlier because I have a speaking engagement at a church 1 hr from here in Mount Dora. I will be presenting the great need for Eastern Canada. Then off to Tampa as Donna flies back to Ottawa on Thursday. It will have been a great but short visit. Then I continue the journey alone as I started. But honestly – what a chance of a lifetime to be hanging out alone with Jesus like this and simply doing what Scripture told me to do in Asking, Seeking, Knocking wherever I went for the great need in Canada!
By the way – our worship leader at our Sequoia Church is so cool – she even just wrote a song for my trip called “Knock”. Very cool!
“Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.”
ReplyDeleteRalph Waldo Emerson
Hey Rick
Carolyn and I are your prayer support for Wednesday. Meaning only we will be more "intentional" for that period.
I believe, Rick, that your stepping out in faith can and does have the effect of emboldening many of us who need someone to point to. Perhaps there are those among the "followers" (google blog term) who have been inspired to embark on their own tour of sorts. I know I have been forced to examine my own lack of boldness in some areas. Thanks for, in effect, giving me permission by your actions, to dream big for His kingdom.
Wow - what a great encouragement! I so appreciate this. I mean I do believe God has called many of us at Sequoia to step out in crazy faith. The more many of us do, the more I believe we will stand in contrast as a church, like the Sequoia Tree, to the glory of God - and at the same time to our encouragement to see how God can indeed use simple people like us. Thanks again for praying and for your encouragement!
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