Transformation & Stimulus

I'm back in the office this morning after a great three days at our annual denominational conference. The time we had was excellent - the format of these meetings making the transition of being days of business to times of refreshing.

What a transformation!

These conferences in the past were basically long business meetings for two full days, with services on three evenings (which were and continue to be exceptional). The "business" portion of the event was for direction of our state denominational structures such as camps and special events, along with reports about every conceivable entity/ministry/thingy that we could think of or muster over the past 70 years.

I know what you're thinking...and you'd be absolutely right. Where is a mall or a golf course when you need one?!

It got so bad at one point that our past key leaders would actually draw out business to ensure people stayed for the last service of the conference which was normally reserved for praying over ministers who were being ordained. Unfortunately by this time our eyes were glazed over and our brains completely drained of hope that these business meetings would ever end (yes I'm exaggerating - but that is how it could feel at times). Think of it this way; it felt at times like a bird had built a nest, laid her eggs, hatched them, shooed her chicks from that nest into the great unknown - all during the time it took to do the business portion of our conference. That's how long those meetings felt at times. My comments are not to fault our leaders - no, no, no. Quite the contrary as my colleagues and I were all in this madness together with the structures, traditions and expectations that WE had created.

We just didn't know better...and at times we even thought we were enjoying these meetings...

In hindsight those meetings were necessary on a variety of levels...of which I now can't rightly remember.

Big change took place about six years ago - less business, more focus on being together with our peers and being refreshed by relevant seminars. The train finally seemed to come into the station this week as to what we can expect for the next 10 years. There was a constant parade of pastors, young and old, male and female in some leadership capacity or another in front of our conference. How refreshing! There was relevancy that we've needed in these changing times and it was outstanding to see so many more young pastors among us - because NOW these meetings mattered to them. The learning labs were exceptional, inspiring and lifting the heads of their participants - me included.

With all that said, this time away really mattered to me - and if you're among those who are in the state of Oregon and within the denomination I'm part of, the trickle down effect will be wonderful for you and your church. Talk about a "stimulus" package!

As I'm starting to conclude ("conclude" = code language in a Sunday sermon that there is only 20 minutes left to the message! Come on, laugh a little - we'll live longer!) I'm thinking about some of the adjectives I've used in today's blog such at "transformation" and "stimulus." It strikes me as I write that both of these terms can also be used in the form of a noun which personalizes the words around them to you and I. I love transformation because it is actually the business of the church and of God Himself. The greatest stimulus package that anyone can receive doesn't come from the government. Transformation and stimulus effect our eternity when they flow from the heart and hand of God.

Friends, that truth is "refreshing, relevant, inspiring and head lifting!" Have we experienced it, or are we just going through the motions of life because we don't know anything different?

Jesus said, "The truth shall set you free..." (John 8:32)