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Thursday, August 11, 2005
Willow Creek Leadership Summit - Day 1
Well, day 1 of the Willow Creek Leadership Summit is history. This is my first summit (and my first time at Willow Creek); so it was a jam-packed day for me. Let me give you a brief rundown of things that stood out to me...
The day started off with Bill Hybels talking on "The Leader's State of Mind". His whole discussion was what happens before you get a 'vision' for something? What causes a leader to have and develop the vision he/she has? Using Exodus 2 as a text, Bill stated that many times vision comes out of a state of "Holy Discontent". He mentioned Popeye (the sailor man) and how he would take as much as he could (when people gave Olive Oil a hard time) until he got to the point where he would say "That's all I can stands... I can't stands no more." In our lives, he asked us "What can't you stand"? That's your area of "holy discontent". Many times your vision comes out of finding your area of "holy discontent" and doing something about it. It's when your heart is in agreement with God's heart on things that matter to him. Some examples of this he gave were David (when fighting Goliath); Nehemiah (and the re-building of the wall); Martin Luther King (and his fight against racial injustice; and the founder of World Vision (who started the organization after seeing dying children who had no food). All of these people got their vision when they had their 'Popeye' moment of "Holy Discontent". Of course, Bill Hybels expressed this whole idea much better than I did (in one paragraph). It was a very interesting and thought-provoking start to the day.
Then came Rick Warren's turn... Rick also spoke out of Exodus on topic of "Leadership Is Stewardship". Rick talked about giving up your Identitiy, your Income, and your influence so that God can use you. If anyone has had to do this recently, it's been Rick with all the fame, fortune and influence that has come his way the past couple of years. For example, on the topic of income, he said "What you think you own is on loan". And he has taken some large steps in this area (giving back his salary to the church; being a 'reverse tither'; not changing his lifestyle, etc.). It was a great message... and he even wore a suit! (Go figure!)
Those were the two big key-notes for the day... the sessions in the afternoon were good as well; and the worship was awesome.
Anyone else have any other observations (if you attended)?
Sorry if this is a little disconnected... it's been a long day; and I'm about ready to crash! :)
Until tomorrow...
Todd
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Comments
Todd...thanks for the breakdown. For a variety of reasons, I cannot attend in person and am excited to live vicariously through you and the others who post their reflections. Enjoy the cross-pollination of being a part of a huge group of kingdom-oriented leaders.
Posted by: matt | Aug 12, 2005 12:26:46 AM
Hey Todd,
I am at a sattelite campus in Evansville, Indiana while visiting with the in-laws. My father-in-law actually paid for me to go to this, because our church really wasn't in a financial position to do it. I wouldn't have even come if he hadn't insisted that I do it.
I came here very skeptical. I'd consider myself to be very GenX, Postmodern, Emergent minded, and I really wasn't looking all that forward to Hybels and Warren. I came mainly for Maxwell and Blanchard. Those guys are great for any church model in my mind.
Anyway, I was truly blown away by Hybels and Warren. Especially Warren. I still don't agree with a lot of what he does, but his heart, in my mind, is as pure as gold. They (Warren & Hybels) are finally getting it... Culture isn't asking if God exists anymore... they're asking if He is relevant to their lives, and if the church is relevant to their lives.
I praise God that these church growth gurus are starting to open their eyes up to more than the buildings they are in and the programs they are managing. They see the plight of the broken and defenseless, and are coming to their aid.
I was humbled, and put in my place over my presuppositions about these men of faith, and I will never be quite as critical as I have been in the past.
The quote that stuck with me the most besides the Popeye one from Hybel was one from Rick Warren:
"We need a second Reformation. I'm tired of the church being known for what we're against! How about being known for what we are for? The first Reformation was about creeds, not deeds. It was about beliefs, not behavior. The Second Reformation has to be about something much deeper than words on paper, it must be about passion in our hearts that translates into our actions for those who cannot act for themselves."
Of course, that's a paraphrase, and my interpretation of what he was getting at, but it sure was powerful.
I may not be a fan of the methodology, but I sure am a fan of their evolving theology.
By the way, I thought that the majority of the music, while well done and extremely profesional, was way cheezy for the most part. Even the music by the Mars Hill team, ... sounded to 80's esque for this 27 year old, I guess... well, except for the African music. That was pretty cool.
Not that it's about the music, anyway... I just wanted to disagree with you about something.
Actually, I did enjoy a couple of the songs.
Okay, ramble over.
Beneath His Mercy,
Brian Burkett
Posted by: Brian Burkett | Aug 12, 2005 12:31:18 AM
Those were the two big ones for me as well. Bill gave some great practial teaching just like he always does... and what more can you say about Rick... I just love all who he is and all he represents.
Posted by: Todd Ruth | Aug 12, 2005 5:44:45 AM
It was a good day - somehow seemed a little different from earlier years. I really appreciated the afternoon speakers. They gave an international flavor plus modeled that a leaders come in all types - Detroit mothers and shift managers at McDonalds. I also appreciated the emphasis on holistic ministry. Some good stuff!
Posted by: Darryl | Aug 12, 2005 7:04:19 AM
I agree, Todd. Day 1 was certainly great. Although, we spent the first 5 minutes of Rick's time talking about how different he looked. Maybe it was the suit.
There was definitely an "African" theme to the day as Bill and Rick both talked about the crisis in Africa (poverty, AIDS, etc.) and then the afternoon session started with a preacher from South Africa.
Did anyone else sense the genuineness of the plea for help regarding Africa? I mean, everything else is about getting behind celebrities (Bono, Live 8, etc.) to support Africa. But I didn't feel that "yuck" feeling I normally get when I hear celebrities talk about the struggles in Africa. It seemed really genuine to me this time around.
Here at our satellite site everything ran smooth as silk. We couldn't have asked for a better first day!
Posted by: Jason Nelson | Aug 12, 2005 7:51:19 AM
Brian said, "I was humbled, and put in my place over my presuppositions about these men of faith, and I will never be quite as critical as I have been in the past."
I really wish that everyone could have heard Rick yesterday... I think it would have made a real impact on many of his critics in some way.
Have to say though that his new look takes a little getting used to. :)
Todd
Posted by: Todd Rhoades | Aug 12, 2005 9:34:58 AM
I love being able to track what's happening there as I too was unable to attend this year. Thanks guys!
Posted by: David Russell | Aug 12, 2005 9:50:42 AM
Being in the same room as Hybels and Warren must have been something like being in the presence of Marcion and Arius.
It's sad to read reports on conferences such as these as men whom I believe are truly seeking truth are duped into such a shallow view of christendom.
Warren has become similar to Joel Osteen in the fact of saying one thing to a group of closed christians and another to the secular world. He would never be so vocal in a secular venue.
For a real conference, attend the Shepherd's Conference or a Desiring God meeting.
Posted by: John | Aug 12, 2005 11:25:38 PM
John writes "It's sad to read reports on conferences such as these as men whom I believe are truly seeking truth are duped into such a shallow view of christendom."
You obviously didn't hear these guys talks. Both Hybels and Warren spoke as men with a fire in their belly to spread the Gospel to every corner of the globe and die in the attempt if necessary. And Warren has been more vocal in "secular venues" as anyone I've ever seen. Specifically on Christ, who he is, and what it means.
Posted by: Peter Hamm | Aug 17, 2005 6:41:39 AM
I went to look a the "real conference" site John refered to - The Shepherds Conference and discovered that, according to the purpose statement, it is not one that could help me in my ministry leadership because (no suprise) it is not a leadership conference, it is a men's conference.
When I look out at the leadership landscape today, I see men like Hybels and Warren standing tall because they have made it their tireless cause to help churches carry out the great commission (nothing could be more "Bible Driven"), while refusing to fire back at the petty and pride-filled criticism of people who have mis-used the platform God gave them, creating division within the universal church. While the ministry of the critics becomes more and more marginalized, the ministry of men like Warren and Hybels continues to be blessed and anointed. I think I'll line up on the side that is receiving God's blessing.
Wendi
Posted by: Wendi | Sep 6, 2005 11:47:35 AM
