What happens when 35 innovators are locked in a conference room with enough post-it notes, paper and colored markers? You get to see the innovation process at work! Today was the first day of our "Group Life Summit," a gathering of the sharpest knives in the drawer, the top dogs, the paradigm pioneers. Pick the metaphor, it doesn't get any better than this! Leaders from NorthPoint, Mosaic, Mariner's, National Community, Community Christian Church and others have joined our team in Long Beach, California for three days of intensive brainstorming.

In addition to the sheer honor of being in the same room with the best Group Life minds in the country, Bill Donahue, Greg Bowman and I have the privilege of picking those brains and mining the information for new ways to equip and support small group leaders. The photo is from one of the exercises created by Sharon Swing, former VP with the Willow Creek Association and now an independent consultant. As you can see... the ideas were flowing, and we'll pick up where we left off in the morning.

Keep us in your prayers... the ideas flowing out of this gathering may ultimately support your small group ministry!