Tag: Orange

Make an investment in your leaders/volunteers

Make an investment in your leaders/volunteers

by | May 29, 2014 | , | 0

I’m a HUGE fan of the regional conference. Whenever possible, I go to the big national conference. They inspire me and challenge me to think bigger than I currently do. They help me take a step back and see the forest from the trees. Whenever possible, I encourage ministry leaders to get away and grow in this way. Few things will do more for your ministry than for the leader to expand his/her vision and to connect with other like-minded people.

However, little will have a greater impact on momentum and synchronized focus than mass participation at a regional conference/event.

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What questions do you have?

What questions do you have?

by | Apr 29, 2014 | , | 7

One of the best things I’ve learned from my friend and mentor Jim Wideman is the art of asking questions. I’ve learned that he is always asking questions and he has an expectation that other people are asking questions of him. The quickest way to disappoint him is to spend an hour with him and not asking anything.
I learned how the art of asking questions can completely transform your conference going experience. This week I’ll be at the Orange conference where over 6000 of the greatest leaders in ministry will be in one place. Sure, I’ll learn a lot by just being there. General sessions, breakouts and conversations along the way will be very informative, but if you think about it this is a very passive way to learn at a conference. A very important discipline is to ask yourself the question, “what do I want to learn this week? What answers or solutions do I need?” Chances are, the answers you’re looking for are everywhere around you, you just have to ask.

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Introducing #iamnextgen

Introducing #iamnextgen

by | Apr 28, 2014 | , | 0

This week is my sixth Orange Conference. I look forward to this event every year for many reasons and it seems like the reasons change every year. In past years it been because of strategy I was hoping to learn. In other years it was the community I was looking to experience. Last year it was the answers to two or three critical questions. This year it’s a totally new reason.

This year I’m filled with excitement about the NextGen/Family Ministry networking that will be taking place. Last year Orange took a step toward connecting this group of people through a breakout track. This year Orange is taking a giant leap into NextGen networking. There will be ample opportunities to NextGen/Family Ministry leaders to connect, learn and grow from one another. There are very specific breakouts, networking parties, conversation opportunities and more. There are even more opportunities in the works for this community after Orange… very cool. Six years ago when I attended Orange for the first time, I was just starting my role at Gateway as the NextGen Pastor. I only knew of 3-4 people who were in a similar role. Now there are hundreds and I know there is so much we’re going to be able to learn from one another.

Since the NextGen Pastor doesn’t really have a place to connect, this week I’m launching a place for the conversation to live. This week you’ll see the birth of #iamnextgen. If you want to connect to others in this role and take part in the ongoing conversation about all things NextGen/Family Ministry, tweet and follow the hashtag #iamnextgen.

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