Group Life Conference 2008

The 2008 Group Life Conference concluded today at Willow, and as usual, it was an amazing time of both challenge and renewal.  Both the general sessions and the more intimate breakout sessions pushed us as leaders to re-imagine both how and why we are currently leading a small groups ministry in our church.  

One of the dangers of a attending a conference like this is that it can be overwhelming trying to process all that you've seen and heard.  One friend said he felt like he'd been in the matrix while here, and that he will never be able to look at his "small group world" the same.  That is both a good and terrifying thing.

I'm going to post some notes and thoughts from the conference in the next few days.  This first post is actually from the last session, and speaks to the possibility of evangelism being a purpose and result of heathy group life.  I'd love to hear your comments...

Principles for community bringing transformation

1.  Redefine your evangelism starting point as God's response to a broken world.  Exodus 3:6-10 (God has heard the cries of His people)  People are crying out all around us.  Sin brings death, death brings tears... we must respond.  Help me respond, help me hear.  That is much different from:  "Listen to how I want to help you and change you."

2.  Identify God's response to the brokenness of your own life.  It's easy to think that we have been fixed.  What is God doing in your life?  What is he working out in you today?  If you don't know that, evangelism slides to information only.  Forget evangelism and forget transformation.  Our church and small groups are full of people who are filled with pain and they are waiting for us to respond.

3.  Identify and love the brokenness in your group.  When we identify the hurts and brokenness among us we can use that as a launching pad for ministry.  See the brokenness as a launching point.

4.  Re-establish evangelism priority.  The church exist for those who are not a part of it.  

That last point is especially important to me.  It has been ringing in my ears for several years now, and today was a good day to hear it again.  

More later....

Quick thoughts...

I'm sitting in the vast atrium of Willow Creek Community Church in the 'burbs of Chicago.  This is one of those places that "does it" for me.  I make an annual trec up here just about every fall for the Group Life Conference, and this year I'm also attending the Reveal Conference immediately preceding GL.  Now, don't get me wrong, I come for the challenge and sharpening of my leadership skills.  I want to know how to do what I do better.  But I will also confess that this trip serves as a "retreat" for me as well.  It's a great opportunity to dream.  A great location to learn.  And a great opportunity to refocus on the call that God has placed on my life.  

Willow gets bad press occasionally, but for me, I am thankful for the enormous positive Kingdom impact that has come from this determined and focused church.