March 7, 2008

Innovation

From Greg Bowman

Lightbulbxsmall In some areas, I am really hesitant to adopt new ideas. The fact that I have only had an iPod for year makes me late in the game as far as adopting new ideas. The fact it’s not an iPod touch, anchors me soundly in the belly of the Diffusion of Innovation curve. In other areas I want to be on the bleeding edge. I want to see the trends, surf the waves of change, experiment. Group life is one of those areas for me.

If you had a chance to sit with an innovator in group life ministry, what would you ask? What would you want to know about their ministry and what they are learning?

Next week the Willow Creek Association is gathering forty of these leaders. Pick a list and they are at or near the top – most innovative, most influential, and fastest growing churches. These are big dog leaders, as Bill Hybels calls them. I can’t wait to hear what they are trying and learning.

Bill, Dave and I will post next week during the gathering. We’ll give you insights into the books they are reading, where they are experimenting, what they are learning.

If you could drop in, what would you ask? What would you want to know? What problem could they help you solve?

I’ll make you a deal: post a question, I’ll ask them. And I’ll respond here next week. Deal?

March 5, 2008

Group Life 2008 Conference Theme Announced

From Dave Treat

Gl08cover_300 The 10th Anniversary Group Life Conference theme “Essential for the Human Heart” underscores our feeling that community is as necessary as air and water to the health of the body… for individuals as well as for the Body of Christ.

The 2008 Group Life conference runs Thursday, October 16 through Saturday, October 18 on the Willow Creek campus in South Barrington, IL. Pre-conference activities run all Thursday morning with the first main session kicking off at 12:30 p.m. 73 breakout options run all day Friday. Two final main stage sessions complete the conference schedule Saturday ending at 12:30 p.m.

Get the best prices by registering your team early! Click here for more…