Conference Week
Today we begin a full conference week at Willow, with three distinct experiences.
Nancy Ortberg and I will host an all day Gifted to Lead workshop today with over 475 women exploring the art of leading as a woman in the church. This will be our second time in the Chicago area with this subject matter, and in 2009 we plan to "take it on the road" to a few other cities. I am looking forward to seeing how God works among us today as we identify with one another's challenges and remind one another of the profound privilege and responsibility of investing our gifts in the kingdom.
Then tomorrow the Reveal conference kicks off, followed by a Group Life conference beginning Thursday. One of the side benefits for me personally when we host conferences is the joyful reunion with treasured friends who come to town. I'm booked solid with lunches, dinners, and late night gatherings with people who never fail to breathe life into me and who know me well. I can't imagine how I would persevere in ministry and grow as a Christ follower without these individuals. It's more than worth any loss of sleep and free time just to sit across a table with them, laughing from the gut and sometimes being choked up by the wonder of God's good gifts.
Time to get dressed and head over to meet with all the women...it's going to be 81 degrees in Chicago today!