What Are We Learning About Babtist Drive Conferences and WELS?

Thanks to Bishop Katie's Tweet, we know that four unnamed WELS pastors joined Ski, Glenda, Buske and her at Drive 09. Sfunny how those four names never came up in the Tweets. A staff member at Northpoint/Buckhead--Carlos Whittaker--was and is a constant on their Tweets, but those mysterious four WELS pastors are not even mentioned in the chatter.

The Drive Conferencess are primarily worship/entertainment events. At 09 they had a communionn service. At 08 Ski said he worshiped with the Babtists and loved it. In fact, it was more of "we worshiped with them." -
"The final Main Session with Andy Stanley was just phenomenal. We began with awesome worship."

Like the fabled Don Patterson pilgrimage to Exponential last year (with a bevy of WELS workers) this trip looked carefully organized, down to their cover stories. Tim Glende was going to a "pastor conference" without any details in the church bulletin about where it was or what denomination led the confab.

Some think the Anything Goes Northern Wisconsin District is loose, but Patterson-Glaeske are no different in the Southern Central Babtist District (aka The Safari Subsidy District).

Exactly how long can WELS preserve the illusion that it is a Lutheran church body?

Pente-Babtist Input, Pente-Babtist Output

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Wisdom of Drive 09: Orchestrated Spontaneous Danci...":

This is nothing new really. WELS let 3 missionaries go in the Tiawan field back in about 1992 because they became Petecostal/Charismatic. And how did that start you ask? By flirting around with them in the first place and not clearly maintaining a distance and avoiding them.

Does anyone remember the place in the Bible where God told Lot and his family to flee from Sodom and Gomorrah? Don't even look back they were told, but guess what, it was too aluring for Lot's wife. Just one look, is all it took.

Keep sneaking a peek straying friends and get swept away with all of the rest who are falling to seducing spirits.

Tico

***

GJ - The Sausage Factory faculty was asked about tongue-speaking when this was developing. Wobbly to a man, they responded that tongue-speaking was OK. I was told never to mention Taiwan - that was a forbidden subject - in the ELS too.

Four Horsemen and a Bean-Counter

Benny has left a new comment on your post "Wisdom of Drive 09: Orchestrated Spontaneous Danci...":

Wanted: bean counter at St. Marcus

http://epic.cuir.uwm.edu/entech/jobs/index.php?cmd=viewposting&id=3632

Donor Records Coordinator
Posted by: St. Marcus
Date Posted: 04/21/09
Deadline to Apply: May 8, 2009
Job Description:

The position first and foremost serves as a member of development and finance teams for the overall purpose of cultivation, solicitation and recognition of St. Marcus’ various constituencies. The role of this position is to provide information, support, and services to advance the fundraising and community support building mission of the organization.

The position administers the St. Marcus constituent database, to maintain detailed records, and to process donations and gift acknowledgments in a timely manner. Supports COO, Financial Services Manager and Director of Development by generating constituent reports to support all department operations/fundraising programs and reconciliation with finance department.

Location: Milwaukee, WI

Peterson Finally Indicted

Peterson (left) and Cowardly Lion

Indicted in third wife's death.

Wisdom of Drive 09: Orchestrated Spontaneous Dancing, "Balling" During Communion

Gay Activist Andy Stanley and Ski,
who was recently given lavish funds from WELS, 2012.

http://twitter.com/Aflynt
RT @loswhit
: Yup. That was pretty much one of the dopest times
of communion I've had. Wow. Powerful. #drive09 // for real y'all... Dope

His blog:
4. I went to the Drive’09 Conference this week. It was aaaaamazing! I loved connecting with friends. It was solidly biblical, off-the-chain creative, and intensely practical. I loved communion on night one, the Breakskate group, and a breakout session with Dian, Andy’s assistant. It was just more confirmation that I am on the team that I need to be on at Access.



Thursday, May 07, 2009

The Spontaneous Dance at DRIVE '09

Before one of the sessions at Drive there were people in the audience that were strategically sitting and spontaneously starting dancing. This is how they taught the dance to the staff and volunteers involved. It was awesome.

http://micahanderica.blogspot.com/2009/05/spontaneous-dance-at-drive.html
Before one of the sessions at Drive there were people in the audience that were strategically sitting and spontaneously starting dancing. This is how they taught the dance to the staff and volunteers involved. It was awesome.

Snapshots of Drive 09

http://www.kriegs.org/page25/page25.php
Just experienced Drive Conference '09, Day 1. And, yes, experienced is the right verb. Wow. Excellence at every level. Typography (modern, sans serif, all caps), color scheme (aqua, black, white)(even taffy and mints in the lobby were matched), smooth admin, teaching (it's Andy Stanley. And even he was more honest and vulnerable than usual), media (informative, hilarious, and looked good), music, and really, experiential worship (I was balling (sic) during communion as they led you through the Last Supper, crucifixion, and resurrection with a full orchestra). It reminded me of why I am doing what I do.

I will include my random notes from Andy's first talk. But some takeaways for me included the fact that despite the fact that I am in charge of media at a small church..media is just a tool. I need to be strengthening my spiritual man if I am going to be able to feed and lead others. I love, love, love media stuff so much that sometimes I think I focus too much on technique (learning the next effect in photoshop or motion or whatever) and don't continue to nourish my soul so I have things to say. My wife wisely pointed out tonight that perhaps this is due to the fact that the technique is tangible. If I create a cool graphic, I can immediately see it. Ministry, building something spiritual, is much more slippery and often takes years to see fruit bud above ground. It brought to mind and inspired me to re-read Eugene Peterson's Under the Unpredictable Plant...which is what half of Andy's message was tonite....uncertainty.

Anyways, enough drivel. Here are the notes. :)

FLEXIBILITY
no one knows what to do. not even the president. he’s just a person.
i will always be uncertain. i’m certain of it. (made us repeat 3x)
uncertainty
a leader is sometimes the only person who has an idea
i don’t have all the answers, but i’m going to pray hard and lead hard.

all the stories that happen in the Scriptures deal with uncertainty
Jesus’ death was very uncertain
God, what are you doing?!
I’m redeeming the world. Be quiet.

You don’t grow spiritually when things are going incredibly
When do you learn? During your greatest challenge and God showed up
We should THRIVE on uncertainty
This is where God does His greatest work

CLARITY
we can afford to be uncertain. we can’t be unclear.
what has God called us to do?
clarity around vision is key

andy (now the leader of a large church) struggled to get things going at first. when they were meeting in a high school gym, a couple said to andy: “this is a great thing here. when you get things going, we’ll come back.”
we don’t need you when we get things going. we need you now...he told them...and admitted bitterness still to this day if he doesn't watch it
andy felt God say to him....would you have done this if the noncomittals didn’t come? would you still WANT to do this? yes.
what do you want to do? what are we doing? what has God called to do locally?
in spite of the uncertainty, this is what God has called us to do
tell your people...this is what we are doing

inside “steve jobs mind

steve jobs: we create computers that are simple to operate

clarity will allow you to stay focused

plans change. vision remains the same.
plan is how. vision is what.
plans change ALL the time.

since the plan isn’t working out, it doesn’t mean the vision is bad
it’s very dangerous to attach God’s name to your PLAN

you can get more done in times of uncertainty
this is the time to rethink stuff b/c people are flexible b/c of the economy
leverage uncertainty for the vision
clarity. flexibility.
clarity. flexibility.
clarity. flexibility.

lead confidently but don’t fake it.

express confidently
i don’t know right now. but we’re gonna figure it out.
i don’t know for sure. but this is the direction i believe God is pointing us

seek counsel
leadership is not about making decisions on your own. it’s about owning decisions once they are made.

you’ve got to pray like crazy
pray for clarity. pray for vision.

north point’s vision: create a church for unchurched people

when you lead in the face of uncertainty, you need grace

Lord, would you take us back to that time and place when we were just starting out and everything was uncertain? When we had no resources, no people, just a call.

WELS bought a twice-failed bar in downtown Appleton for Ski and Glende.
The latest version of the bar was The Pulse.
So now it is The CORE.

Anthem Church
Our aim in attending this conference is to introduce you to the North Point model, which will give our team a point of reference for future ministry at Anthem. We hope that by the end of the conference, you will walk away with an “Ah-ha” moment of how you can implement what you learn at Drive here at Anthem. Drive is the opportunity for “buy-in” of the vision of both North Point and Anthem. Hopefully this conference will inspire individuals to enlarge their vision of personal commitment and strategic service. This conference is going to be an incredible experience and a great learning opportunity for Anthem!

AnthemChurch The group is heading back from #drive09. It was an incredible conference this year!
12:21 PM May 6th from Tweetie We are here at #drive09 ready for session one. http://yfrog.com/2856204850j
4:23 PM May 4th from Tweetie What a great conclusion 2 "Text" yesterday! Also a crew is about 2 take off 4 @driveconference. So excited! Updates 2 come. #driveconference
3:55 AM May 4th from Tweetie A fun surprise at #anthemchurch today! Thanks @jgmoyer. http://yfrog.com/0bld9ij
6:50 AM May 3rd from Tweetie It's going to be an awesome day at @anthemchurch. @stephencope & @jgmoyers are leading us in worship and it's the final part of "Text".
2:02 AM May 3rd from Tweetie An awesome new video about Anthem and NP partners on the facebook page. http://tinyurl.com/dc6zxm
7:05 PM Apr 30th from web Has enjoyed the "text" reading schedule this week. Psalm 53 today.
6:59 PM Apr 30th from Tweetie RT The countdown to @Driveconference has officially begun. (via @BuckheadChurch)
3:48 AM Apr 29th from Tweetie R U involved? http://tinyurl.com/c6gfcu/p...
8:45 PM Apr 27th from web An awesome set at a partner church. RT Run thru @athenschurch http://twitpic.com/41ao7 (via @mKOS)
7:52 AM Apr 26th from Tweetie The upstreet hallway this morning at #anthhemchurch. Yes that is a car! http://twitpic.com/41ew1
7:48 AM Apr 26th from Tweetie The production team at #anthemchurch rocks. Here is their view this morning. http://twitpic.com/41est
7:46 AM Apr 26th from Tweetie Watching live worship at Buckhead Church. Check it out. Global Night of Worship. http://blog.buckheadchurch....
4:54 PM Apr 23rd from web RT @blainehogan Blue Like Jazz the movie needs your help. http://tinyurl.com/BLJthemovie
8:27 AM Apr 23rd from Tweetie RT @Jlferrini: loves SUNDAY's! Worship@Anthem was AMAZING!So happy 2have shared that wTrae & Cami!My text from God is call'n. Got 2read it!
7:34 PM Apr 19th from Tweetie Check out this Anthem Update - http://eepurl.com/0lK
12:28 PM Apr 17th from MailChimp Are U a fan of Anthem Church on facebook? Check out the new & improved fan page. http://tinyurl.com/cqg5j7
5:27 AM Apr 16th from web RT: Please join us live in person or on the web for the Global Night of Worship. April 23, 7 pm. #Buckheadchurch (via @BuckheadChurch)
8:32 PM Apr 13th from Tweetie If God was on twitter, would you read his tweets? "text" a new series starting this Sunday at #anthemchurch

James Laing's Blog
Got back yesterday from the Drive Conference at North Point Community Church in Alpharetta, GA. Had a great time or learning, worship and FUN!

Andy Stanley taught in the three main sessions. A few takeaways:
1. "Uncertainty is permanent and is why we need leaders. Leaders can afford to be uncertain but not unclear."
2. "It's very dangerous to attach God's name to your plans because they always change whereas vision does not."
3. "Leadership is not about making decisions on your own, it's about owning decisions you make."
4. "To be a great leader, you must be a great listener because you are probbably not the smartest person in your organization. You are just the leader."
5. "Leaders are attracted to environments where their ideas and opinions are heard. Leaders who refuse to listen will eventually be surrounded by people who have nothing important to say."
6. "In a seniority structure, title and position, rather than insight or creativity, determine who sits at the decision-making table. Eventually, a seniority structure leaves the seniors in charge."
7. "Fairness ended in the garden of Eden. When you shoot for fairness you become unjust. Shoot for what is right."
8. "Vision: A mental picture of what could be, fueled by the passion of what should be."
9. "If doing Church is hard, it's because it is. But it's worth it."

I have worked in churches where the senior leaders always sat at the decision making table. Even though these leaders had a passion for young families they didn't have a clue about how to create environments for young families. What they created was an environment that repelled young families. The results of a fair, seniority seniority structure. This could have been overcome if they invited those with insight into young families to sit at the decision table.

How have you seen the seniority structure played out in your organization?

[GJ - Recently read - Simple Church by Thom S. Rainer & Eric Geiger]

Small Group Pastors
Your Leadership Matters!
05.07.09Andy Stanley: Thoughts on LeadershipPosted in Andy Stanley, Catalyst, Drive Conference, Small Group Leaders, Small Group Ministry, leadership, pastors tagged Andy Stanley, leadership, Small Group Leaders, Small group pastors at 4:00 pm by centralcouples

Andy Stanley has been one of those leaders that has made a HUGE impact upon my life! Recently at the CatWest and Drive ‘09 Conference, Andy made some statements about leadership that I thought I would pass along. Great stuff and thought provoking…as always!

“Is this an easy, obvious, strategic step toward community?”
This is the question asked when North Point determines whether or not to add something new to their ministry! Great filter for simple church!
“As leaders, we gravitate to voices we want to hear.”
How are you being intentional in allowing other voices to speak into your leadership?
“You have got to create a mechanism to listen to the right people.”
What mechanism do you use to ensure that you are listening to the RIGHT people?
“What and who you listen to will determine what you do.”
Who are the top three people that you listen too? Why do you listen to them?
“The more sense of input that people have, the less the push back.”
Love this one…Ownership…Ownership…Ownership! Do your leaders feel as if they have ownership in the ministry?
“Leaders are attracted to environments where ideas and opinions are heard.”
How are you intentionally allowing your leaders to give input?
“If you want great leaders, you need to create systems for listening to great leaders.”
Ask some of your veteran leaders how they know that you value their input.
“Leaders want more than assignments. They want input into the decision-making process.”
Are you in a ministry that wants YOUR input or are you just doing assignments? Are your leaders empowered to do the work of the ministry?
“Leaders want to influence their own destinies.”
Love it! They also want to feel that they matter in things of eternity! How do you continually show them that their leadership matters?
“Leaders who refuse to listen will eventually be surrounded by people who have nothing important to say.”
Oh, so true!
“Eventually a seniority structure leaves the seniors in charge.”
Do you feel valued in your ministry and do your leaders feel valued as a leader?
“Your structure has to change or your structure will impede information flow.”
I always try to ask, “Do my leaders know what is going on and do they own it?” If it is a surprise or they get caught off guard all the time, then the flow of information has a kink in it and needs to be adjusted!
“I don’t want anyone to live with the frustration that I used to live with in the lower levels of the organization.”
Good stuff! Put yourself in the leader’s shoes.
“You want the best thinkers and the most strategic people at the table with you.”
Who are your best thinkers and most strategic people? Are they at the table with you? If not, why? Are you secure in your ability to lead?
“You need to listen deep in your organization. That doesn’t mean you have to meet with everyone in the organization.”
Andy said he meets with 150 volunteers occasionally to get input. Listen to the people who are in the trenches and on the frontlines. They have a very different perspective than that at Headquarters.
“Resist the urge to lead every meeting you attend.”
Share your leadership! Sit and listen sometimes. It will let you know how you are leading and if vision is sticking.
“The people we don’t want to hear from are the people we often need to hear from most.”
Who do you not want to hear from? Schedule a One on One with them and see what they are thinking! Huge insights!
Again, these are some random thoughts from what Andy said at Drive ’09 and some of what he shared at Catalyst West Coast. Let me know what you are thinking and how you have structured systems to allow for great leadership! I would love to hear your thoughts! Thanks again Andy!

Mark Batterson
Our Pastor of Discipleship, Heather Zempel, just sent me a link to the videos from the Drive Conference hosted by Northpoint in Atlanta. I was totally bummed that I didn't get to go this year, but they have made the videos of the sessions available online. Here's a link.

This is totally aside, but do any other pastors out there wish Andy Stanley was their friend :) There you have it. I just came out and said it :) Man, I love the way that guy leads and preaches.

By the way, I'm definitely going to drive next year! I'll probably fly there. But I'm definitely going drive. Get it? I'm not going to drive to drive. I'm going to fly to drive.

Drive could do a fun take on the Abbott and Costello Who's On First schtick. Or not.

Online Drive for Drive Addicts
I have been to DRIVE two different times at Northpoint Community Church in Alpharetta, GA. That conference has been a huge turning point each time in my own life and ministry. I have learned a ton of things about church leadership from Andy Stanley and the Northpoint folks over the years.

They have just recently announced a new conference for people who can’t make it to the DRIVE conference in GA. DRIVE-IN is a series of online web events on several days this spring starting this Wednesday, January 21st at 9 a.m. EST. Click HERE for more details.

It can be a really cool thing for our church to get all on the same page about how to create a church for people who don’t like church–in our culture! Jump in, log on, and drive-in.

Groove Is King
DRIVE Conference at North Point Community Church

THe Drive conference hosted by North Point Community Church is an amazing conference. I play at it every year, and always walk away recharged. Andy Stanley and the other speakers always leave you with something to chew on.

Here is the link to it: Look for me. I'll be playing drums!

Why Ape the Babtists?

Baroque sacred architecture
The Frauenkirche is regarded as the symbol of protestant church construction. The evangelical concept of faith and church service has been translated here into architectural form. The Frauenkirche is a remarkable example of sacred baroque architecture both due to its overall outer appearance as well as to its interior arrangement with the centrally located pulpit, baptismal font, altar and organ. When the bells again ring out, signalling that the church is open to visitors, free access is available to both the nave and the lower church everyone.