Monday, September 22, 2008

Innovate08

Last week, I went with my church to Granger Community Church's (GCC) Innovate Conference in Granger, Indiana, near South Bend. I've been two years prior and I was blown away. This year was no different. GCC pulled off a conference with extreme excellence. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't perfect...but that's not what I wanted to focus on right now.

What did I take away from the Innovate '08 experience? Here are some tidbits.

"To make progress, you have to lean in...Balance isn't always a good thing." ~Mark Beeson, Senior Pastor at GCC

"Be a church that goes past Sunday Mornings."
~ Mark Beeson

"Be who you are, who God created you to be, not anyone else." ~ Shawn Wood, Senior Pastor at Seacoast Church

Are we answering the questions people are asking? Do we even know what they are asking in the first place?? ~My own thoughts in response to things Shawn Wood was saying.

"Excellence does not always equal effectiveness." ~Bobby Gruenewald, Lifechurch.tv

"Reality: Churches aren't making an impact, in fact, they are probably getting in the way." ~Tim Stevens, Executive Pastor, GCC

"More isn't better. Better is Better." ~Rob Wagner, Teaching Pastor, GCC

"Excellence breeds excellence...Don't lower the bar!" ~Jeff Petersen, Director of Media & Production, GCC

"The difference between where you ared and where God wants you to be is the pain you're unwilling to endure." ~Directional Leadership Team, Lifechurch.tv

"Don't let life and time talk you out of your passion, dreams & ministry." ~Steven Furtick, Senior Pastor of Elevation Church

"Between the promise and the payoff, is a process...Don't feint in the process. You'll forfeit the promise AND the payoff...the process IS the point." ~Steven Furtick

"The Holy Spirit doesn't ever run out, just our capacity." ~ Steven Furtick

"If you got hit by a bus tomorrow, who else could do what you do?" ~ Kem Meyer, Communications Director, GCC

"Embracing productivity is embracing simplicity." ~ Kem Meyer

"Plan for success." ~ Me.

So that's just a few things...hehe, a FEW...that I took away from Innovate this year. Yeah, what?? You try and compact three CRAMMED days into one blog!! :) Good times. I hope to go back again.