I wasn’t sure what to expect….I’ve been living overseas for a few years….during this time the US church has changed and so have I. In many ways Velocity was exactly what I expected…big names, church-growth vendors, lots of book (self) promotion. A lot of people go to conferences just looking for the latest tips on methodology and to see who is doing what…so they can copy it. What I’ve been thinking about in the days since is what I saw that I didn’t expect. There were a few speakers that stood out….and whether or not the average church planter listened to their voice…they had good things to say.
Here are a few quotes from a few of these guys…
Missiology is not a subset of ecclesiology; missiology produces ecclesiology. – Alan Hirsch
People are always drawn to the Good News. If people aren’t drawn to your church, it’s not their fault, it’s yours. You have not yet captured and presented Good News to them. – Hugh Halter
When planting churches, if you grow crazy fast, you are not reaching the culture, you are transferring Christians. – Hugh Halter
You can impress people from afar. You can only impact people up close. – Dave Gibbons
“You cannot sell a Christendom approach to a post-Christian world. They are anti-Christian.” ~ Alan Hirsch
I was especially shocked by what I heard from Hugh Halter and Alan Hirsch. Both of these guys have great stories to tell and I look forward to posting more over the coming days. Here are a few guys you should follow on twitter if you don’t already…
The Upstream Collective
@theUpstreamC (Twitter)
Larry McCrary
@LarryMcCrary
Caleb Crider
@CalebCrider
Michael Carpenter
@MicCarpenter
AlmostM
@AlmostM
Rodney Calfee
@RodneyCalfee
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Grady,
I enjoyed meeting you, hanging together and laughing together. Thanks for the mention. Thanks even more for the friendship.
- almost
Indeed, Grady, the unexpected things carried the greatest impact for me, as well. I knew what to expect Hirsch to say, but the grace with which he so carefully and precisely shared truths about culture and God’s mission were breath-taking. I did not expect Hugh-Halter to utterly ruin me by his words, and I blame it on AlmostM for suggesting that I sit through such an unsettling story. Other great speakers said many wonderful things, but I think the greatest of the unexpected things was the authentic care and concern that you and the guys you listed above expressed to me. So grateful for that, and expectant for the future.
grace,
rc