I’m here (thanks to the generosity of a kind individual).  I’m hoping by it to become a better communicator.  I’ve been entrusted with a very important story.

I’m on my way to Grapevine, TX for my annual trip to Fellowship Church’s Creative Church Conference.  I’m looking forward to the conference.  Thanks to the generosity of Jim Counts, Sr., and his wife, Lynn, I am well treated in this venture.  It is good to be in a different environment, setting, and context.  Helps me think better about Living Stones. 

Plus…I’m in for a lot of “preacher gawking.”  I’m in Texas.  I get a kick out of the hipster-dufus preacher look that is sported around these parts.  Before I go I need to stock up on hair gel and stylish glasses…maybe even a rhinestone shirt!

Six of us from Living Stones Church attended the Innovate 2008 Conference put on by Granger Community Church today.  Always good to get away as a team.  Highlights:

• Drama in Mark Beeson’s talk that illustrated a church caught up in “church business” instead of the urgency of our mission.
• Loved the times of worship.
• Shawn Wood of Seacoast Church had the second session.  Loved his introduction he made about himself.  Very unique.  The key to getting a strange audience to like you is to make them laugh by revealing things about your life.
• Lunch at Chipotle.  They should move to the South Side of South Bend.
• Went to the Children’s Ministry breakout.  They are for spanking in the classroom.  I agree.  I can’t wait until Sunday (this is a joke).
• Favorite talk today was by Tim Stevens.  He talked about his book Pop Goes the Church.  He used some excellent video illustrations.  They were brilliant.
• Got to see a great friend and encourager to me and LSC…Steve Miller.
• Most of us stayed for the film festival where churches from all over send in their videos for a contest.  Some very good videos.  I still believe Doug should send in some of his videos.  My 12 year old son came to watch the film festival with us.  Making videos is his passion.
• Kelly endured the day with me even though she has an ear infection.  Had to leave a little early for a doctor’s appointment.
• Tired.  We wake up and do it all over again tomorrow.  But I’m looking forward to it. 

Earlier this week I hung out at Rochester College for their Resource Seminar.  It was a good seminar.  While the attendance at the conference was pretty ecumenical (at least it was supposed to be), the hosts of the seminar are from Acappella Churches of Christ.  This is the tradition I grew up in.

The times of worship at the conference were all acappella…meaning no instruments… (including a Taize worship experience on Tuesday evening).  I much prefer instrumental music…BUT…one thing that I am grateful for in being raised in acappella Churches of Christ is being taught how to sing four-part harmony.

I actually have fun singing the old hymns acappella/four-part harmony.

I HATE singing contemporary songs (at least most of them) acappella.  They sound terrible.  They REQUIRE instruments (in my humble opinion )  But the oldies sung in four-part harmony…oh…it is fun!

On my way tomorrow morning to Rochester College’s Resource Seminar.  Looks pretty good.  Has some of my favorite authors/speakers/scholars.  Gordon Fee, Sally Morgenthaler, Bob Russell, Randy Harris, Rubel Shelly, Kenneth Greene, and more.

While there, I will have my annual “go-see-a-movie-by-myself” (I don’t do that any other time), eat out by myself (again…rarely do that).  It is my engage with others and withdrawal into isolation mode time!

I’ll try to blog more while at the conference!

Lord willing, I leave in a few moments to DFW airport to catch a flight back home!

Excellent conference.

Very much looking forward to getting home to my family and church!  There is a scheduled Luau (they have asked me to twirl the fire batons in my grass skirt ) at the church for 20 and 30 somethings…I only have a limited time in this age bracket so I need to take advantage of it!

P.S.  Alex, my baby girl (age 6), scored her first TWO baskets this morning at her Upwards Bound basketball game!!!! 

Today was a great day.  The morning began with Tommy Barnett from Phoenix First (and the Dream Center in LA).  Excellent sermon from a seasoned pastor (56 years of pastoring) who gave a message dedicated to all Pastors who have ever felt like quitting.  Here are a few quotes:

• “If you’ve ever wanted to quit, you’re in good company.  All of the heroes of the faith felt the same way.”
• “Ministry burns in the bones.  When you are in it, you want out; if you are out, you want back in.”
• “Wanting to quit is a sign of success.  Only successful people have something to quit.”
• “The more you have to quit, the more you want to quit.”
• “You can enjoy the luxury of wanting to quit if you know you aren’t going to quit.”
• “No one should ever enter into the ministry because of a burden – but only a call.”
• “Every time someone quits my church I want to: 1) quit too; 2) beat them up; and 3) commit to go on.” (he was funny)
• “I’ve been asked if I ever felt like quitting on my wife.  My answer is, “no,” “but I’ve wanted to kill her!”  I might be a killer, but I’m not a quitter.”
• “You won’t quit if you do the following: 1) burn every bridge (way to go back because forward is too difficult) behind you; 2) don’t tell anyone you want to quit when you want to quit (they may take you up on it); 3) don’t hang out with people you don’t want to be like; and 3) lock yourself in so that you can’t quit.”
• “A mind made up isn’t nearly as strong as a heart that is fixed.”
• “Great men are just ordinary men who wouldn’t quit.”

Loved this man of God.  His stories reflected a passion for the world’s hurting.  Amazing stories of ministry and life changes.

After Tommy Barnett came Bishop T.D. Jakes from the Potter’s House.  I have to say – HANDS DOWN - T. D. Jakes is my FAVORITE communicator.  His messages are so anointed and amazing.  I find him to be one of the most powerful preachers I’ve ever heard.  Every time I hear him I think, “How in the world did he do that?!!”  I started to take notes but I couldn’t.  I was captured by what he said and I just wanted to listen!

 Other Highlights:

• California Kitchen pizza – the Works - followed by a Key Lime Pie slice as a chaser.
• Purchased a new t-shirt.  Preachers preach – singers sing
• Went to two breakout sessions – Worship & Volunteers/Assimilation
• Took enough video footage of the children’s wing here that I could publish my own video!

Long, but good day at the C3 Conference.  Here are a few more highlights from the afternoon/evening:

• Ed Young, Jr. talked two sessions this morning on betrayal and what he has walked through in regards to being betrayed as a leader.  One story in particular that almost “broke the back of Fellowship Church” some 11 years ago.  Shocking!
• Catered Senior Pastor’s lunch and further conversations on leadership struggles with Ed & Lisa Young.
• Afternoon session with Mac Richard and Perry Noble.  Excellent talks.  Perry is one of the funniest dudes I’ve listened to with a powerful and serious point sure to follow.
• Finished up with Brian Houston of Hillsong Church in Sydney, Australia.  Excellent talks (gave one in afternoon and one in evening session).
• Worship was great…

O.K…now for my “non-spiritual” highlights:

• 20 – minute chair massage from Rita a Professional Massage Therapist!  They had this last year at the conference too.  A relaxation roomwith all sorts of stuff (bean bags…called FATBOYS…very appropriate) including – professional massage therapists to help pastors relax!!!!  Unbelievable.  Suffering for the Kingdom….
• The men’s bathrooms at Fellowship Church are some of the nicest smelling bathrooms I’ve ever been in (isn’t that crazy?!)
• They had river rocks as decor in the men’s bathroom sinks with all sorts of fancy soaps, etc.
• Went to the Bass Pro Shop…felt a surge of testosterone
• Ate a 2/3 lb. three cheese burger at Fuddruckers (be careful how you say that )for dinner (love the cheeseburgers)
• Did I mention GPS?  Awesome!

Tired…conference fatigue setting in.  Here are a few pictures.  I’m going to bed:

Just registered for the conference and waiting for the first session to begin.

Highlights thus far:

• Got a massive “YEEHHAAAAAA…welcome to the C3 conference” from some greeter as I came in.  I punched him for yelling that loud so early in the morning…and then I had to run so as to not draw security.
• In the entrance coming in was an elephant!!  I’m not kidding.  AN ELEPHANT!  Why?  I don’t know.  Either everyone here votes Republican or it was meant to draw a “wow!”  All I thought was, that thing isn’t that secure and if it wanted to…it could trample us all.
• Enjoying the hospitality of Mr. & Mrs. James Counts, Sr. – had some pigs-in-the-blanket thing for breakfast…very nice.
• Got to drive a Lexus to the conference…my life is difficult
• Had GPS in the car…I’m now a huge fan!!
• Thousands of pastors around me.  I think I could take them if a fight breaks out.  Let’s just hope it doesn’t come to that!
• I miss home – but I’m excited to be here and looking forward to hearing the speakers. 

Check back – I’ll blog more throughout the day and hopefully provide some pictures!

I’m about to leave for Chicago to catch a flight to Dallas, TX.  I get to attend Fellowship Church’s - C3 conference again.  I went last year and had an incredible time.  Great speaker, great worship – very encouraging – and did I mention good Mexican food and BBQ?  Keep checking back at the blog as I will attempt to post the best of what I hear!