Day two of the conference was a rough one. Little sleep and another full day was tough to muster, but definitely worth it. The day started with a very interesting talk by Rob that addressed some major questions presented by the Bible. Who is going to heaven? Is heaven it? Is this the best God can do? How is this grace? How do we get accepted? Am I? What do we need to do? Something we say? Something someone says to you? Something somebody tells you to do, say or trust? Is it something you say or be or do? The questions go on. The conclusions of this were beautiful and revealing of America’s Christian faith and it’s ignorance.

“Salvation is when someone begins to live in conscious union with God.”

Salvation is holistic in nature and Jesus wants to save all of us… from poverty, from hatred, from sickness, from racism, from hurt… from our indifference.

The breakout session I went to was by Mars Hill worship leaders, Aaron Neiquist and Troy Hatfield, “The 3000 person choir: Worshiping at Mars Hill.” These guys had a lot to say and a lot to share as far as ideas and beliefs of worship goes. They started with freedom. We need to have the freedom to be creative, to engage ourselves with who we should be as worship leaders, to used everything we can – music, your mic, body, gestures, and if all else fails, words, to clearly communicate to your community. Church was another subject, referring to the fact that you need to be lead too. We must have the freedom to receive and to not necessarily put that responsibility on your church. You are obviously being lead and taught and your church, so go somewhere else to receive – just receive. Not a place where you’re going to think “hey, we need to try that” or “we could have done that better.” They talked about creativity. We must pursue creativity, both musically and experientially, for our community and for us. Every Sunday there needs to be some risk – and people will follow you into risk. Silence. I love this one. It’s simple and easily defined. The discipline of pause. Don’t rush transitions, use centering prayers, breathing exercises. Lastly, they talked about action. Worship leading is putting words on the lips of the community. Sunday needs to launch us into Monday. Worship in a way that people can’t help but do something!

The day was going to be closed with another talk by Rob, instead they decided to serve us communion, pray over us, worship, kneel, sing, cry. It was a beautiful and perfect way to wrap up the two days. I’ve been to many of these conferences, taking in all the information that I could and doing everything I could to get it just right, but not this one. This one was different. I loved all the information and I really couldn’t get enough, but most of all I was given hope. It made me hopeful for the Church and that maybe, just maybe there is something brewing under the surface here that I want to be a part of. I’m very excited about what is coming and I can’t believe I get to be a part of it.

I know I left stuff out and I know there are things I could go on about, so feel free to ask what’s on your mind.

First day of two days at the “Isn’t She Beautiful?” conference was exhaustingly great and in many ways just barely got me going. The morning started with a beautiful opening session by Rob about the Eucharist; how we are the Eucharist and the Church is the Eucharist.

eu – good
charizomai – to grant, give
charis – grace, gift

This quickly followed up by 2 Corin. 4.7-12. To be honest, I’m still sorting through my notes and discussion trying to pull all these things back together. Loads of beauty. Loads of truth.

Lunch was great of course. The friends we came with are originally from the area, so we were able to find a place that wasn’t packed and overflowing with Christians.

The afternoon was breakout sessions, one on student ministry, another on narrative theology, and another on HIV/AIDS. I really wanted to check out the narrative theology session, but I instead went over to the HIV/AIDS talk and was completely floored. The statistics on a worldwide standpoint are absolutely horrendous. And what made me the most sick was the fact that I didn’t know any of this stuff. Education is the largest problem both with the majority of the people being transmitted(Africa, China, etc.) and with those who can make a difference. It’s astounding. It’s much bigger and so much more disastrous than we make it out to be. I could rant on about this… but I’m tired.

The closing talk by Rob was titled, “There’s a Box?” It was basically a run through of how he sorts through ideas and things and healthy practices of how to not get stuck in those ruts. Yet another beautiful and inspiring talk by Rob that I can’t say more about until I have a chance to go over my notes and discuss.

But I promise I’ll share. This stuff is way too good to keep to myself.

Off to Grand Rapids, Michigan. Mars Hill Church, otherwise known as “The Mall Church,” is hosting a conference called “Isn’t She Beautiful?” Some good friends and I are hitting the road to attend the conference.

It is what they are calling “a seminar celebrating the local church.” There is going to be different break-out sessions on things like HIV/AIDS and social justice, narrative theology and worship. I’m pumped for the conference, but mostly I’m excited for the road. It’s always good to be in a car for a few hours with your friends.

Stay tuned…maybe I’ll have some updates from the mall.