So I blogged all of my notes from the Willow Creek Arts Conference but wanted to share a few take-aways…
The theme of the conference was Wonder… and I think that it could have not been a more fitting idea. It was incredible how all of the speakers, though from all different backgrounds, churches and organizations, all basically said the same thing.
I don’t necessarily consider myself and artist, but I do feel more at home with artsy people. I have some flair, but I’m not necessarily a full-fledged artist per se.
Willow Creek has had its ups and downs, and while I might not necessarily always vibe with everything they do, they never cease to inspire me in their heart and passion for God and for the local church… and to see people find connect with Christ.
I blogged all my notes, so I won’t go quoting everything, but my few personal take-aways were this…
- I need to push “pause” in life more often… I need to not be so focused on what’s next, but focus on what’s now.
- I need to learn to re-discover a child-like faith and wonder when it comes to viewing God and the world around me.
- Everything I do must be an outflow of what God is doing in my life.
- Joel Houston said something that stuck with me… “The very breath of God is creativity…” in context, he was saying that as we walk with God and draw near to HIm, He will inspire us and empower us to create things to give Him glory.
- If what we do, in Church, does not go outside of the church walls and touch and impact the community and people around us, it’s not worth doing.
- When we think of justice… those in need aren’t just people in Africa or other places around the world… our neighbors, co-workers, and friends are in need, too.
- We have to simplify… communicate one idea, one truth about God and move people to do something.
- I need to worship God with abandon… not with just my words or my voice, but with everything I’ve got.
- We need to create art… music, songs, visuals, media,etc… that will cause people to move people from a state of brokenness to a place of recognizing that they are beloved of God.
I was sad to hear they won’t be doing the full-fledged Arts Conference next year… they will be doing a few simulcasts instead… but I’m glad that I was able to be a part of the experience and was able to once again remember the wonder and awe of who God is and the incredible opportunity I have to be a part of the Church.
Thanks to Nancy Beach and the whole team at the Willow Creek Association for their efforts… thanks for inspiring me to look for the wonder that’s all around.
Hillsong United did a night of worship as part of the conference and it was absolutely incredible… here’s a small taste of what we experienced.
