Lower Prices

Nancy recorded this video a couple weeks ago and since then, we’ve been working to see what we can do to help as many artists and teachers come to the Arts Conference.  No idea was as good as just lower the price.  So, that’s what we’ve done! Through March 24, you can register for as low as $255, a $50 reduction off the regular price and the lowest price in the last five years.  If we can help with housing your team, call the WCA Church Relations Team at (800) 570-9812.
 
Now more than ever our congregations need hope and so do the artists who work tirelessly to provide it.  It’s more important than ever for us to gather as a group to rediscover the deep sense of wonder that is kindled inside us when we are touched by God.  Our intention is that you would experience refreshment, restoration and renewal.  Our hope is that you would grow and gather new skills and ideas.
 
The artists and teachers we have gathered for this event will help you do that and you just can’t miss it!  If the cost has been holding you back, we are praying this lower price will make a difference.  Hope to see you in June.  
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Published 06 March 2009 10:28 AM by Lori Finnegan
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Comments

# John Carlson said on 07 March, 2009 09:29 PM
How about walking out on the edge and doing something a bit radical? Some ideas: 1.) How about making the registration charge "pay what you can" and trust God for the rest? If you can pay a little more? Great. It will be donated to someone who can't. If you can't pay anything? Come along anyway. If you can only pay part of it? Great. Come along. Keep the registrations limited in numbers of course - but just open up the floodgates and trust God. I know artists that have done this with their concerts and CDs. They make more than they ever did just trusting God for the outcome. And think of the press you will get in blogs/magazines, etc. perhaps? ("Willow Creek Opens Arts Conference For "Whatever You can Afford.") 2.) You know what cost more than anything for a conference per individual? Usually the hotel at close to $100/night for even the cheap ones when you add on all the taxes. And it's what you use the least. So how many people attend Willow Creek? How about setting up a network of people willing to open up their houses to attenders needing lodging? Or ask attenders if they could sponsor a church team needing lodging? 3.) How many people come by themselves or have one in a room? Encourage people to double up with teams from other churches and split the room cost. Just a thought.
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# Lori Finnegan said on 11 March, 2009 04:12 PM
John, you are an idea generator! Thanks for your thoughts. Actually, we have been hard at work expanding our global hospitality team to be able to offer more housing to conference guests. Currently our Church Relations Team has been offering that to teams as they speak with them on the phone. So if that would make a difference, contact us at 1-800-570-9812. For those people who would like to share their own hotel rooms with other individuals from churches, that is certainly a possibility too, but as you might imagine, that would be an administrative feat and not something our ministry is set up to coordinate. However, artists could try to match themselves up…they can post that request on the blog and see if they can find someone to partner with. People could even share rides and find others attending the conference in their area through the Facebook Arts Community. Lastly, the WCA leadership teams have had multiple discussions and prayerfully considered many other ways to make the conference attainable to as many as possible. We feel like more than ever, artists need to come together for encouragement and connection, and this year’s event is the best ever. We believe to be the best stewards and honor God with all that we can, this is what we can offer at this time. Our team continues to hope and pray that God makes a way for as many to gather in June as possible! He knows just who needs to be here and we believe He will provide for them.
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# Deb Meyer said on 13 March, 2009 11:41 AM
I'm hearing from a lot of church staffers that because of hard times, attendance is up in our churches, but giving is down. I know churches are needing to cut back in many areas of ministry, but I'm convinced that if there's one place we can't afford to cut back, it's on training, on making sure our services are fresh, creative and engaging. God's Word is powerful and life-changing. When I read through the gospels I see Jesus reaching thousands of spiritually hungry people with stories and parables, relevant to their time and culture. The Arts Conference has always been a place where I've been gifted with new and better ways to reach and engage people. I've been stretched and challenged by the many gifted Main Session speakers, as well as in every Breakout Session I've ever been part of. If there's one place none of us can afford to cut back on, I would say it's on making sure our weekend worship services are creative and relevant to our culture, as it is our weeeknd services that engage people and feed all of our other ministries.
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