WCA Community

Gary's WSJ Blog Post

WCA_Training — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 19:27:00 GMT

Gary recently wrote a blog post over at the Wall Street Journal about his experience at The Leadership Summit. Take a look and join the conversation!

Bonus Footage from Gary

WCA_Training — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 17:27:00 GMT

Gary had planned a 45-minute talk and only had 35 minutes to deliver it. Here's what he didn't have time to say:

(Click the button with the four arrows to view in full-screen mode.)

Inviting Input

manikyaa — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 03:18:00 GMT

At several points in my talk, I suggested that the work of creating strategy needs to be highly participatory - that every church member (and perhaps community members) should have the chance to input ideas. Does this make sense to you? Have you tried anything like this in your church? And if so, with what results? Or if it seems impractical, tell me why and I'll see if I can't provide some practical pointers.

- Gary

Challenging Orthodoxies

manikyaa — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 03:18:00 GMT

In my Summit talk, I argued that to change, we must be willing to challenge some of our deeply cherished beliefs - not about our faith, but about our strategies, programs, facilities, and practices. What 'orthodoxy' do you think needs to be challenged for your church to make a substantial leap forward in its effectiveness? And what do you think will be the greatest challenge in overturning this deeply established habit or belief? Share your thoughts by posting a comment!

- Gary

What Questions Do You Have?

manikyaa — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 03:17:00 GMT

What other questions do you have about my Summit talk?

-Gary

Expanded Session Video

manikyaa — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 03:16:00 GMT

~~Check back the week of August 10 for a video of an expanded version of the talk I gave at the Summit!~~

~~- Gary~~

UPDATE: As announced at the Summit, the video of Gary's talk will now be included on The Leadership Summit 2009 Team Edition. Click here to see bonus video footage that won't be included on the Team Edition.

More Resources from Gary

manikyaa — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 03:16:00 GMT

If you'd like to read more of my work, you might check out my blog: www.wsj.com/hamel or my latest book The Future of Management.

- Gary

Management Structure

manikyaa — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 03:16:00 GMT

Is there anything in the way your church is managed (board structure, executive roles, reporting relationships, accountabilities, etc.) that you think might be frustrating its capacity to grow and adapt? If so, what are the constraints - and how might you overcome them? (Again, I'll be happy to throw in some ideas here, too).

-Gary

Two-Day Workshop

manikyaa — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 03:15:00 GMT

I'm excited to announce that I'll be doing a two-day workshop with church leaders on change and renewal. We'll challenge orthodoxies, discuss innovative ideas, and get equipped with tools - and there may be some special guests. Check back at this page for more information in the coming weeks. If you're interested in finding out when the workshop is scheduled, comment here. (You'll be asked for your name, e-mail address, and a comment. For your safety, please don't put your e-mail in your comment.)

UPDATE: We're having some technical difficulty in retrieving the e-mail addresses from the comments. If you would like an e-mail when more information is available about the workshop, please send an e-mail to training@willowcreek.org.

- Gary

Arts Blog Has Moved!

Pam Howell — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 22:58:00 GMT

We have moved ... to a new and better site, Cultivate . Cultivate is designed to offer more to arts leaders, teachers & artists. This new community is designed for you to hear from a wide variety of experienced leaders in areas like creativity, technical arts, soul care & more. In this on-line community you will have the opportunity to share what your learning & interact with others who are in similar circumstance. Cultivate ... your life and your ministry....(read more)

PRAYER FOR OPENING OF WONDER

Pam Howell — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 05:30:00 GMT

Father, thank You for making a place for us to gather, a place for us to meet with You, to draw closer, to cease from working, to listen and to learn. We give you our hearts and our minds … we open them up to You. Work in us. So, that later You can work through us. Amen....(read more)

PRAYER FOR OUR FIRST DAY OF WONDER

Pam Howell — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 05:30:00 GMT

Tuesday's Prayer for Wonder

Pam Howell — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 03:55:00 GMT

Father, we ask that those leading and participating in Wonder would be seeking to be in the center of Your Will. Let our desire to be in communion with You and to enjoy community with our brothers and sisters. Amen...(read more)

Monday's Prayer

Pam Howell — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 11:52:00 GMT

God, we know that some of Your servants are resting today. They are practicing Sabbath. Thank You for this gift. Help them to unplug and find restoration in You. Amen...(read more)

Praying for Churches Today

Pam Howell — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 13:32:00 GMT

Father, we ask that today in churches all over world, that Your Word be boldly proclaimed. We ask that the offering of artists and teachers bring You pleasure. We ask that their gifts bring You glory and draw people to You. God may lives be changed today! Thank You that we can be a part of Your plan. Amen...(read more)

Praying for Weekend Services

Pam Howell — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 11:50:00 GMT

Lord, for those servants who are preparing for services, we ask that they draw on Your strength. Give boldness to Your teachers. Give wisdom, discernment and love to Your leaders. Give peace and confidence to Your artists. May You be raised up high in all we do. Amen Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the...(read more)

Every Little Step

Nancy Beach — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 05:34:00 GMT

My husband and I took our older daughter this evening to a special cinema where they were showing the documentary, Every Little Step. The film portrays the casting process for the revival a couple years ago of the Broadway show, Chorus Line. What a tremendous story, especially for my daughter who is studying theatre as a freshman in college. The film portrays the discipline, the struggle, the highs and lows of performers who are hugely gifted and yet competing for just a few roles. The initial audition...(read more)

FRIDAY'S PRAYER FOR WONDER

Pam Howell — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 05:27:00 GMT

God, we ask that humility, kindness, compassion and grace be abundant at Wonder. Lord, may the wonder we be most amazed at those three days is the likeness to You we see in our brothers and sisters. Begin in me. Amen...(read more)

Thursday's Prayer for Wonder

Pam Howell — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 10:36:00 GMT

Lord, we pray for those in our community that are discouraged and overwhelmed. Life's circumstances are heavy - health, relationships, ministry, job, finances. It is difficult for them to break away for a few days to come to the conference - thank you for making a way for them to attend. We ask that You give them peace about coming. That You continue to help them work through the details of getting ready to leave. And God for their needs ... we pray that You would provide. You would be their...(read more)

Wonder Breakout Handouts Are On-line – Print Them Out Before You Come!

Pam Howell — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 00:04:00 GMT

If you are coming to Wonder it is important to check on-line to see if your breakout has a hand-out. If you see your breakout title there, download the material, so that you can participate fully in the class. We have know that many people work from their laptops, so to be good stewards of our resources we are not providing printed materials. If you work best from paper make sure you print a copy for yourself. If you don't see the breakout there today, check back before you leave to see if it...(read more)

Wednesday's Prayer for Wonder

Pam Howell — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 05:02:00 GMT

Father, we ask that those leading and participating in Wonder would seek to be in the center of Your will. May we depend on You to accomplish what is before us. May we cooperate with Your plan. Amen...(read more)

UNITED IN PRAYER

Nancy Beach — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 15:00:00 GMT

Pam Howell, our Director of Training for the Arts (we call her the Wonderologist ) organized an hourly prayer campaign today for the Wonder Arts Conference next week. Starting at 6:00 this morning, many of us began a journey of prayer together at the top of each hour. We will find ourselves in meetings or, in my case at 7:00 am, on a treadmill, remembering to pray for specific needs connected to the event. There's something incredibly meaningful about praying at the same time as other artists...(read more)

Praying for Wonder all day Tuesday

Pam Howell — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 00:55:00 GMT

Our plan is to pray every hour for the people and events involved with Wonder. We are grateful for your support and prayers. God be with you. Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands. Deuteronomy 7:9 6:00 am Prayer of preparation Father, we are just a week away from the conference. So, many details to be attend to. There are so many things for people to take care of before...(read more)

Monday's Prayer for Wonder

Pam Howell — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 12:44:00 GMT

Lord, as a community we bring the Wonder conference to You. We thank You for Your faithfulness during our planning. And in these last days of preparation we ask for Your continued guidance. We ask that Your will for this event be accomplished. We yield ourselves to You. Amen...(read more)

INTERVIEW WITH SINGER, SONGWRITER JOSH WISLON

Pam Howell — Fri, 29 May 2009 22:59:00 GMT

INTERVIEW WITH SINGER, SONGWRITER JOSH WISLON “Savior, please take my hand. I work so hard, I live so fast. I try to be so tough. But I'm just not strong enough. I can't do this alone, God I need You to hold on to me.” When I heard those words I thought, “yes, that is my prayer.” When I listened more to Josh, I thought this is the gift we want to give the artists attending Wonder . I am looking forward to Friday morning . To listen to more of Josh’s music, you can check out his page . He...(read more)