Wednesday is for Winners… and today I’m giving you the skinny on a new event for church communication/media leaders and the chance to win a free ticket to attend.
All posts in Conferences
Let’s Talk About The Elephant [in the] Room
Picture it: 7 influential pastors [who have very different viewpoints, theological convictions, and approaches to ministry] having blunt conversations that you’d never thought you’d hear. We’re talking about talking about the elephant in the room. Well, it’s all going down next Wednesday at The Elephant Room, moderated by Pastor James MacDonald of Harvest Bible Chapel and Pastor Mark Driscoll of Mars Hill Church in Seattle. The live event is happening in Aurora, IL, will be broadcast to 65 locations around the USA, and I’ll be there with a ringside seat blogging and Tweeting what happens.
Luminous :: May 9-11 in Nashville
It’s December 1, which means annual budget planning is probably well underway for most of you. As you plot out your budget and make your “conference dream list” for next year, one I thing I wanted to get on your radar is a unique gathering happening May 9-11 in Nashville called Luminous.
My friend Chad Jarnagin shared the idea for this gathering with me late this summer and I’m stoked to see it come together. Unlike your typical conference or even “un-conference” events that are happening, Luminous is going to be “an experience and movement designed to facilitate a sacred encounter with the Artist of the universe.”
I’m thrilled to attend the event and have the honor of being a presenter there, too.
If you are looking to gather with likeminded creatives, definitely add Luminous to your radar [along with other great conferences like STORY and the ECHO Church Media Conference!].
Here’s more info on Luminous:
Our vision is to see a resurrection of creativity in the lives of those who attend as well as the churches and organizations they serve. The keynote sessions & workshops will provide inspiration and revelation in a creative and encouraging environment for creative arts & communication leaders around the USA, UK, Canada, and other countries.
Anyone from a variety of creative arts, communications, and ministries are invited to attend to be inspired and encouraged at Luminous. There will be artists, communicators, filmmakers, writers, musicians, designers, and many others in attendance; the young, the seasoned, and the aspiring are all welcomed.
2012 Keynotes
- Ian Morgan Cron - Episcopal priest and acclaimed author of “Chasing Francis” and “Jesus, My Father, the CIA, and Me”
- Blaine Hogan - Artist, actor, writer, producer, Creative Director at Willow Creek Community Church.
- More to be announced soon!
Musical Artists
- All Sons & Daughters – David Leonard & Leslie Jordan: worship duo rooted in Journey Church in Franklin, TN.
- Derek Webb – Singer, Songwriter, Producer, Remixer, Noisetrader, Agitator
- Michael Pharez – Poet
- One Sonic Society - led by Jason Ingram [vocals/guitar], Stu Garrard [guitar/vocals] and Paul Mabury [drums]; an international collective of respected artists, united in creating music to serve the Church.
- Bellarive – Atmospheric post modern rock band.
- More to be announced soon!
Workshop Environments
Workshops will be great times to dialog, and converse around various topics and ideas.
- Stephen Proctor - curator of visual worship, illuminator, missionary of beauty, experience designer, VJ, projection artist, globe trotter, overgrown hobbit, co-owner of @gi_inc
- Nate Ragan - Director of Product Development @MediaShout, VJ, artist, musician, all things creative
- Dan Wilt - Dan Wilt is a writer, and is the Founder of WorshipTraining.com and Worship Development Nashville.
- Stephen Brewster – Creative Director at Crosspoint Church.
- Jeff Goins – Writer, idea guy, and difference-maker.
- Tim Schraeder - Church Communications. Loves to spread ideas that lead to action. Co-director of @CMSucks. Church Relations at @CSGupdates. Creator of @OutspokenBook.
- Jeff Simmons – Lead Pastor at Rolling Hills (@rhcc)
- and more discussions TBD.
There are many surprise possibilities in the works, so keep checking the Luminous website for updates.
Speaking of conferences… Which conferences are on your radar for 2012?
Don’t Suffer from Overly-Conferenced Syndrome
On the eve of Catalyst, I have a confession to make: I’m suffering from O.C.S. … Overly-Conferenced Syndrome.
In the last year alone I’ve attended over 15 different conferences. That’s a lot of content, ideas, travel, and days away from work… not to mention the cost associated with jetting around the country.
Thankfully, I’ve learned some ways to manage my O.C.S., and have some ideas to share on how to make conferences [including Catalyst!] a valuable experience:
The “Hallway” Conversations
While the content shared onstage at conferences is immensely valuable, I often find one of the best parts of conferences are the conversations and connections that happen in the hallways. Between sessions or during break times, you have a great opportunity to interact with new people, meet people you follow on Twitter in real life, and make new connections. There’s endless opportunity to expand your network if you’re willing to do the work and engage in a conversation. Some of the key people who have been a huge part of my life and professional development over the past few years were people I first met in the hallways at a conference.
Get Out of Your Comfort Zone
I’m honestly not the most outgoing person in the world. I’m usually the guy in the back of the room checking my email or twitter at a large social gathering. If you really want to make the most of a conference experience and meet new people, get out of your comfort zone… meet people! If you recognize someone, say hello… put yourself out there, you never know who you’ll meet.
Social Media Enhances the Experience
Social media has forever changed the conference-going experience. Even if you’re not able to attend a conference in-person, following the hashtag on twitter [#CAT11 for Catalyst!] enables you to keep up with the experience, get sound bytes from the speakers and lets you hear what people are saying about their experience. If you are at a conference in-person, social media lets you see who’s there, provides an opportunity to find new people to follow, and lets you know who to look for in the hallways. Social media provides a great, steady stream of content and information and I really can’t imagine going to a conference without it!
Leave the Note-taking to the Experts
Most conferences are creating blogging teams, enlisting the help of note-takers [like me!] who focus on capturing and sharing the content. Don’t worry about being at every single session or hassle with taking notes for yourself. Just sit, listen, absorb and write down the thought that sticks out to you the most or that sparks a new idea. You can always go back to the interwebs to get a recap or notes from the sessions.
Meetups, Tweet-ups, and Side Events
Again, if you are socially engaged there are endless meetups, tweeet-ups, and special side events that happen at most conferences these days. Don’t miss the opportunity to get some freebies and meet new people. Like the hallway conversations, side events are always a great part of the conference-going experience. If you’re at Catalyst on Wednesday night, be sure to check out the Bloggers Meetup. I’ll be there and it’s always a great time to connect with other bloggers.
Be Present
Going along with the theme of Catalyst this year… be present. Don’t think you know it all or have heard it all before… you haven’t. Don’t let distractions from work or your inbox take your attention away from the content and ideas being shared. Focus. God has a reason for you being there, even if your boss or your staff team dragged you along. I believe there’s something God wants to speak to all of us. Who knows what He may show you, who’s path you will cross, or what connection may be made? Even with all of the distractions that come at a conference, focus your mind and your heart. Listen for God’s voice. Be present.
So all of that to say…
… I really do think conferences are valuable experience and are worth the time and investment. You’ll not only get some new ideas but, if you are willing to push yourself out of your comfort zone, you’ll also make some new connections. Both are invaluable and worth it.
If you are headed to Catalyst…
Find me and say, “hey!” I’d love to connect with you.
I’ll be serving as an official blogger for Catalyst this year alongside some of the pros. Follow me on twitter or follow this blog for my notes from each session. I also have something new up my sleeve that I’ll be excited to share with you on Friday! Stay tuned.
If you’re not able to be a Catalyst…
…don’t suffer from Cata-lust. Follow the action here on my blog or on twitter and definitely be sure to check out Catalyst Backstage, a live-stream from Catalyst, broadcasting Wednesday-Friday, bringing you interviews and great content from Catalyst. It’s the next best thing to actually being there in person.
What about you?
How do you feel about conferences?
What’s your favorite conference or conference experience?
If you’re heading to Catalyst, what are you most excited or expectant for? Who are you looking forward to connecting with while you’re there?
