Catalyst, NYWC, Open Space and Future Conventions Part 2
If we believe that relationships are center of ministry. That withness and incarnation and community is central to gospel then why doesn't this show in our conventions? Granted many if not most of the NYWC speakers or seminar leaders hang out at length with the convention community. There are relationships built and I think this is the best thing about the conventions in my mind. Yes these folks have something to say, and many of them spend as much time in conversation during their seminar listening as they do speaking. These folks rock. Got to love these guys. But they feel a pressure, because some of the folks in the room feel ripped off. they didn't pay $400 to attend a convention to listen to a group ask questions to the expert.
For those attending ATL this weekend. Skip a general session. Shoot, skip all but one of the general sessions. Instead stand in the hallway and gather people together and invite each other to tell stories, go get some ice cream, or a beer, or coffee. Share a meal. Open your lives to each other. Ask about family, ask about work, ask about passions... ask ask ask ask ask. and then ask some more.
Give the Open Space a try. Believe that you have something to offer the community, because you do. YOU do.
Talk about a challenge or even better yet, talk about a dream or a collective possibility. Talk about your neighborhood, or your addiction or hobby.
Transformation is never efficient. Transformation often seems like a waste.
Cop an attitude in ATL. An attitude that you will hold yourself responsible for your ministry and no seminar leader is going to give you the magic solution to your problem. Insight maybe. but that's just as likely to come form the 21 yr old or 65 yr old sitting next to you in the session you skipped.
NYWC is about you and ministry. The schedule can get in the way. rewrite the rules. find ways of meeting people.
corner speakers in hallways and get to know them.
don't accept that they know what's best for you.
If they tell you to not to quit, or to stick with it, understand that they have no idea what your circumstances actually are and they are speaking into great void.
Don't be impressed by numbers.
Don't compare yourself to others or let them subtly compare themselves to you.
No one is allowed to define success for you and your ministry, no one but God. everyone else is guessing and speakers tend to be bad guessers.
In fact feel compassion and sympathy for speakers who need to tell you numbers or drop names. Don't get angry or frustrated. These are good people. Show'em some love.
Make the NYWC your convention. do things that bring you joy with others. celebrate ever morning and evening with your peers. you get to do youth ministry. they get you. you need each other.
exchange contact info with as many people as you can. shoot for 10.
10 people you've spent time with.
thank God you're on this journey. no matter how hard. listen to the holy spirit.
keep your responsibilities yours, don't try to give them away. don't play the victim.
God is fond of you. NYWC is at it's best when you embrace you make it what it is.
NYWC isn't wonderful because of any speaker, or consultant. It's amazing because you are there, being you.
It will be what you make it. So let's do this together. What do you think?
For those attending ATL this weekend. Skip a general session. Shoot, skip all but one of the general sessions. Instead stand in the hallway and gather people together and invite each other to tell stories, go get some ice cream, or a beer, or coffee. Share a meal. Open your lives to each other. Ask about family, ask about work, ask about passions... ask ask ask ask ask. and then ask some more.
Give the Open Space a try. Believe that you have something to offer the community, because you do. YOU do.
Talk about a challenge or even better yet, talk about a dream or a collective possibility. Talk about your neighborhood, or your addiction or hobby.
Transformation is never efficient. Transformation often seems like a waste.
Cop an attitude in ATL. An attitude that you will hold yourself responsible for your ministry and no seminar leader is going to give you the magic solution to your problem. Insight maybe. but that's just as likely to come form the 21 yr old or 65 yr old sitting next to you in the session you skipped.
NYWC is about you and ministry. The schedule can get in the way. rewrite the rules. find ways of meeting people.
corner speakers in hallways and get to know them.
don't accept that they know what's best for you.
If they tell you to not to quit, or to stick with it, understand that they have no idea what your circumstances actually are and they are speaking into great void.
Don't be impressed by numbers.
Don't compare yourself to others or let them subtly compare themselves to you.
No one is allowed to define success for you and your ministry, no one but God. everyone else is guessing and speakers tend to be bad guessers.
In fact feel compassion and sympathy for speakers who need to tell you numbers or drop names. Don't get angry or frustrated. These are good people. Show'em some love.
Make the NYWC your convention. do things that bring you joy with others. celebrate ever morning and evening with your peers. you get to do youth ministry. they get you. you need each other.
exchange contact info with as many people as you can. shoot for 10.
10 people you've spent time with.
thank God you're on this journey. no matter how hard. listen to the holy spirit.
keep your responsibilities yours, don't try to give them away. don't play the victim.
God is fond of you. NYWC is at it's best when you embrace you make it what it is.
NYWC isn't wonderful because of any speaker, or consultant. It's amazing because you are there, being you.
It will be what you make it. So let's do this together. What do you think?
Labels: Random Thoughts
posted by mark at
12:40 PM
2 Comments:
Thanks bro. I really like the way you think...
It seems to me the reason to go to a bigger conference is much more for connections that an info dump. Man, the times I've gone to "hear from the experts" I just wound up with more information than I knew what to do with anyway.
Hey Mark,
I mostly agree with your thoughts on this stuff. It's super important to corner speakers. Last year i asked mark yaconelli to speak with me...we went out the exit door of the room and found ourselves in a stairwell...and the door was locked from inside the stairwell. We sat and chatted about what God was doing in my ministry and in the end we were kicking and banging on a door for 3-4 minutes. That's what i remember from the convention. My problems weren't solved by Mark. Maybe God spoke through him to me...maybe he didn't. This yr. i'm taking a class with Les Christie...i've already started emailing him a few questions on facebook. There are 6-7 youth workers from my small county who are going individually and we are meeting up for lunch while there.
NYWC doesn't offer me a one sized fits all ministry fix-it kit. It offers me a safe place to go meet with old friends and make new ones. It allows me to hear new ideas then turn to the person next to me and say...that would never work.
lastly...my favorite moments at all of the nywc's i have attended have always been the stories. i love when a youth pastor is brought up...story shared...and a generous gift is given. those moments can re energize me.
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