Exponential 2012 Was Awesome!

This year there were eight of us that attended Exponential. From Encounter there was myself and Luke and Beth Fields. From Movement Church, our future church plant, was Mark and Kristin Artrip, Josh Howard, Sarah Knepper and Phil Hill.
The week was inspiring, fun and bonding for both church plant teams.
We've already signed up a few of us for next year:-)

Heading to Exponential 2012

Can't wait to go to the Exponential church planters conference this year! Eight of us are heading down this Sunday afternoon for the week.joining me is Mark & Kristin Artrip, Josh Howard. Sarah Knepper, Phil Hill, and Luke & Beth Fields.

Exponential '11 Part #2

We've been reminded of our mission as a church plant and challenged to reach our neighborhoods and target areas with a new passion. Not to simply have a serving event once or twice a year but make it a lifestyle.
There's over three thousand church planters here. The connecting our team has had has been awesome and fun. This morning we had breakfast with the lead pastors and teams from the four churches in my coaching network. These are the guys I have a conference call with once a month and see twice a year at NewThing events. I was so glad to have our team rub shoulders with others that are doing similar ministry.
Today is our final day here at the conference:-( It went quick.

Exponential '11 Part #1

I've enjoyed hanging out with my NewThing friends at the pre-conference stuff. Each time we gather their is great teaching on how to lead people within the church and we have some fun together. That was yesterday morning and last night.
Today the regular conference began and we listened to Dave Ferguson and Alan Hirsch about their new book, "On the Verge" and how the conference will run.
Then Francis Chan spoke transparently about what the last year has been like for him and his family. He explained what he saw and experienced in China, India and Thailand after hearing the stories of persecuted Christ-followers. It was humbling to hear how others who follow Jesus are living compared to my life and church body experience. I'm sure the five of us will share more on Sunday morning.

Heading to Exponential 2011

I am again going to the largest church planting conference in the world called Exponential 2011. This year there are five others coming with me. Chuck & Deb Taylor, Dalan & Jocelyn Zartman and my brother-in-law Michael Wallenmeyer from NJ. Can't wait to hang with my NewThing buddies and Encounter friends. Oh and my bro-in-law:-)

Final Exponential '09 Speaker

The conference ended with Francis Chan of Cornerstone Church. He didn't preach as much as he spoke from his heart. It's hard to fully explain what he said. If I had to boil it down I'd say he was urging us to live biblically authentic lives. He admitted the book of Acts has always troubled him b/c what he reads there about the start of the Church doesn't often match up with what is seen in today's world. He even joked that the Holy Spirit must be tired now as compared to then. He also emphasized that Christ followers should read and trust God's Word for themselves. The conference ended with Francis inviting all future church planters to come forward to be prayed over and anointed with oil. It was a powerful moment.

Great relationship at Exponential '09

This years conference for me was even more relational than last years. I met the NewThing Network guys last April and developed a relationship with them this past year over the phone, e-mail and three visits to the Chicagoland area. So coming to the conference was like a mini-reunion. Last night I went to a dinner for new people interested in being part of a church multiplication movement. It was fun to meet those who are considering a partnership with NewThing like ENCOUNTER has. I spoke with folks planting churches in Tenn., Mass., Kansas, Ill., and Mich. All of them either have or are in the process of planting daughter churches or campuses. It's been exciting hanging around those who are intentional about inviting people into a relationship with God.

Inspiring speaker

This morning I had the pleasure of listening to Craig Groeschel of LifeChurch.tv. He spoke about being part of a church planting movement. Here were his three main points. A movement... 1) will never be safe, predictable and clean 2) is not just about our church but is about HIS kingdom (mmm, I heard that before) 3) isn't to be lead on the old measurements of success i.e. how much $ we've taken in as opposed to how much we've given away.
He said the American church has played it too safe and needs to return to an Acts 2 type of mentality. Look it up, esp. the last few verses.
One thing that also hit me was when he said "Luke warm pastors lead lukewarm churches". Please pray I don't become lukewarm in my personal relationship with Jesus Christ but that I would stay in love with Him and lead ENCOUNTER with passion.

I'm not going to Disney

I'm in the Columbus airport right now waiting with Clancy Cruise and Jeremy Bury of Marysville Grace. We are headed down to Orlando, FL not for Disney but to Exponential '09, the largest church planters conference in the country. The people putting it on are the folks Encounter is partnering with from Naperville, Ill. Guys like Dave Ferguson, Jon Ferguson and Brian Zehr help lead a movement of church planters called the NewThing Network. To say I'm excited to go is an understatement. The warm weather, the buds, the session speakers and good food. I just wish Melissa was with me again.

Pray I lern gud stuf:-)