It happened again a month or so ago when I received an email from Todd Rhoades asking me to be a part of The Nines conference. I can’t believe I’m on this list, it is “in my weakness He is strong” in action.

The theme this year is “Game Changer”.
I knew what I was going to talk about, it’s what I’m passionate about. I wanted to talk about the art of church, the art of preaching, my passion to get church leaders focused on HOW we are doing church.

As I prayed about it though I realized that’s not what I was going to talk about.

Heart’s passion isn’t the theme, it’s “Game Changer”. They’ve given me 6 minutes to talk about the Air Jordans of my work, my life, my ministry. I remember wanting those as a teenager, I knew that they would change everything! I would run faster, jump higher, hello slam dunk! They would make me a star athlete…in spite of the fact that I was a terrible basketball player.

And that’s my explanation to why they gave us 6 minutes (instead of 9), because it signifies what a game changer is all about. A turnaround, a change in direction, a change of perspective.

At least that’s what my game changer was about.

I took my 6 minutes and talk about that thing that changed everything, in spite of all my shortcomings. I believe it is the reason doors like this open, why Holy Cow! continues to grow, and a vital move that every one of us, whether you lead a church or not, needs to make. It’s simple, but something, at least for me, that doesn’t happen easily but is so freeing once you put it on.

Do be sure to tune into The Nines for a group of amazing people doing amazing things as they share the Air Jordan’s of their lives. It’s an astounding group to be a part of including
Seth Godin
Phil Cooke
Kem Meyer
Carlos Whitaker
Jenni Catron
Francis Chan
Jud Wilhite
Anne Jackson
Jon Acuff
Scott Williams
Shawn Wood
Leonard Sweet…the list goes on and on full of incredible people, including an appearance by:

This is gonna be good.

What a fitting stop on his tour, Idea Camp’s theme this year: Compassion.

What better time for us as the Church and as churches to show compassion. Sure they’ll be people talking about going to India, traveling the globe, you name it…but you can and should be showing compassion right where you live. I turn on the news and I can’t help but to see a HUGE opportunity for us to show the love of Christ today. People are hurting and desperate for hope.

So please, consider heading to DC, filling up your tank and prepare yourself to pour out compassion on your city. You might even take the chance to help Mark fill up his tank so that he can make it the rest of the way.

Oh and did I mention it’s free?

This year, not so easy.

Let me back up a bit for those that haven’t attended the HOW Conference before (and it’s still not too late to make it this year.) I really like a conference that takes the time to put things together that bring people together and HOW does it right. They put on a big bash the last night of the conference, food, music and yes…costumes.

That’s where you come in. This year’s theme: Keep Austin Weird

And I’m stumped. To start with, I didn’t know Austin was weird and I’m the “church guy” so what does weird look like? I’d really love to connect it call together (austin + weird + church – and a bonus to bring in Holy Cow)…but I’m at a bit of a loss.

Nothing is off limits so let’s here the craziest ideas you can come up with and let’s make everyone talk about how fun/cool/crazy that church guy was!

Ready, Set….GO!

Next month I will be speaking at the HOW Design and Creativity Conference in Austin, TX. This is the premiere conference for designers, creative directors, and communicators attracting people from around the world to learn and connect with others. This is a very different type of conference for me as it’s not ministry leaders, pastors, etc. these folks are the best of the best in the fields of design and creativity. I remember sharing an elevator with one of the attendees who was a major player at the Disney Channel. Talk about serving a HUGE God, these are doors that man could never open on their own, I absolutely know that it is God’s favor that has given me this opportunity.

In case you haven’t heard, this year I will be talking about vomit and ninjas…that’s all I’m going to tell you for now but I do hope you’ll consider joining me in Austin in June. (if you sign up and give me credit I’ll probably end up with some goodies to give away)

I’ll get a bit of a rest for traveling until September when I kick off a number of exciting conferences:

September: ministryCOM
October: Cultivate + Story (read more about this here)
October: The Anabaptist Communicators Conference (complete with Amish farms)
November: Dirt

I’ll talk more about all these as we get closer.

PLEASE if you are going to be at any of these, or in the area, I want to connect with you. The best part of all these conferences really aren’t the presentations, the best part are the people.

Now what are you going to do with it? How is going to that conference going to change the way you do ministry today? I worry that for many, the answers is ‘nothing’. What I often observe is people nodding their head yes as the speaker pours out great information and then pat each other on the back telling each other what a great job we’re doing. We’re afraid to hurt people’s feelings as if it’s unchristian to tell someone they’re missing the mark.

Now don’t get me wrong, a big part of any conference is to encourage one another and we should be building one another up. I submit to you though that just nodding our head as someone talks about how they ‘get it’ and are doing ‘great’ things when you know otherwise doesn’t actual build them up but sets them up for failure later.

I’m not just pointing fingers, I’m guilty of it. I like to make people happy and don’t want to hurt feelings so often I’m the one nodding my head.

How do we break through this? Can I tell you that I think you’re missing the mark and not be a jerk?

So…how about we kill two birds with one stone. Let’s meet up and some of the upcoming conferences/speaking gigs I have coming up in 2009. We can meet and you can enjoy some great conferences. Speaking at conferences is one of my favorite parts of what I do. Not only do I like giving everyone something to take back with them that can change the way they do church, but also to see the connections and relationships built.

Here’s where I’ll be so far (if you run a conference let’s talk so that I can expand this list*):

Jan: Ohio Ministries Convocation (OH)
Feb: NRB Conference (TN)
Feb: Church Solutions Conference (AZ)
Apr: Q Conference (TX)
Jun: HOW Design Conference (TX)
Sep: MinistryCOM (IL)

If your going to be at, or near, any of these reply to this post or drop me a note and we’ll make plans to at least grab a cup of coffee. If you don’t already have plans on being to at least one of these, check them out you’ll be glad you did.

* and if your conference is on an island…I’ll speak for free!

The first is an important lesson, especially for this tech savvy group: Know the technology but don’t be led by the technology. Too often we get wrapped up in the coolest new technology, oh look at what they’re doing we need to that….well, come out on Wednesday and we can talk more. We’ll look at what you’re trying to accomplish and then explore technology and help fit it to the need.

The second is all about finding out who you are…Brad’s kicking this off with something that is certain to get your attention and we’ll first talk about what it looks like to lose your soul and then we’ll help you find it. This isn’t going to be a sit-their-while-we-ramble type of session, this is going to be a hands-on-take-it-home-with-you sort of workshop.

If you’re in the area and want to connect, drop me a line.

I am planning on invading Pops Thursday night after the conference with a bunch of people from the Lab and would love as many of you as possible to come out. We’re talking 66 ft soda bottle tricked out with LED, over 500 types of pop at their soda ranch, and killer architect at this new hot spot on Route 66…and a great opportunity to spend time with people that are just like you!

If you can’t make it Thursday night and want to connect, give me a shout.

What are the issues you want to talk about?

What do you struggle with?

Here’s a glimpse at some of it:

• Sermon graphics vs. Sermon branding
• Why literal is boring
• How to be inspired not a ripoff artist
• 7 ways to look at a sermon
• How a child’s attachment to his teddy bear relates to sermon branding
• Ammunition for the creative in the church

Now it’s your turn. What do church communicators need to know about being a part of the Sunday morning message? Go ahead…hit reply.

2. God, please rescue me from all things petty.

4. We have knowledge workers–people smarter than the leaders of the company–give them the opportunity to lead.

8. Your job is not to pander to your people, it’s to lead them.

She also points out “I didn’t miss the 3rd day. You cut out the right stuff and left the right stuff.” Proof that more isn’t better…better is better.