Leadership

What are your Summit Nuggets?

2007-10-10T21:15:00Z

One of the reasons that I hear so many leaders love the Summit is the questions that it leaves you wrestling with. I was talking with a good friend of mine from Canada a few weeks ago debriefing this year's event and he called them nuggets. He said that the powerful impact of a few nuggets injected into his team is irreplaceable. Whatever you want to call them ... they stick with you. They are the one-liners that your team repeats back home or the one question that a speaker asked that you can't...(read more)

What's been stirring in you since the Summit?

2007-09-18T16:51:00Z

It's hard to believe that it has been a full month since the Summit. We have been blown away by the stories of lives and leadership impacted by our time together in August. Our constant prayer is that you clearly hear God's call for you and that you are helped, encouraged, trained, and challenged to live it out fully and without fear. We thank you for being a part of the Summit, and we are grateful as well for the sacrifice of countless Summit volunteers across the country and -- as the Global...(read more)

Message for you from Bill & Melinda Gates

2007-09-05T17:51:00Z

During the Summit planning sessions, a couple of names that kept coming up as potential faculty members were Bill and Melinda Gates. We all thought that they would add huge value to the Summit experience. Bill Gates could speak about leadership issues learned from his amazing run as the CEO of Microsoft, and they as a couple could talk about how they are now leveraging their influence to make the world a better place for those who are suffering the most. Unfortunately they were not able to accept...(read more)

Still Haven't Found What You're Looking For?

2007-09-04T20:17:00Z

I hope you had a fun and restful Labor Day weekend with family and friends and are geared up for the kickoff of another great ministry year. Many of you have been asking for help in finding resources in the Online Experience of the Summit that will help you process what you heard and apply it in your context. We want to make sure that you get right to the resources you need, so here's a quick walk-through of the most requested online resources from the 2007 Summit. Marcus Buckingham's Podcasts...(read more)

Gary Schwammlein on the Global Leadership Summit

2007-08-22T19:17:00Z

Gary Schwammlein is an unbelievable leader and one of the most inspiring people at the Willow Creek Association. Gary worked for 28 years in the marketplace before leaving its financial benefits 11 years ago to work in ministry fulltime. Since then he has been opening doors and resourcing countries around the world as the executive vice president for WCA International . He lives what he believes with passion and with energy that never quits. Here are a few words from Gary about the offering for the...(read more)

Behind the Scenes of "Fast Forward"

2007-08-17T17:31:00Z

Many of you have been asking about Fast Forward - the video segment from Bill's opening session of the Summit. Fast Forward is a fusion of poetry and music and image to explore and celebrate the dream of the Church - Past, Present, & Future. Its infectious beat still resonates in my heart and I can't get two different phrases from it out of my head... A call to unity and inclusion amongst all Christians - "you're one of us, come kneel with us, come pray with us" and a call...(read more)

Brian McLaren Responds to Session 10

2007-08-12T00:27:00Z

Much of my life and ministry have been profoundly influenced and shaped by Bill Hybels and Brian McLaren . Bill Hybels inspired in me an Acts 2 vision for what the church is supposed to be that has haunted and blessed me since my very first day of ministry almost fifteen years ago. Brian McLaren's words and example have helped me understand the radical shifts our world is undergoing and have given me hope that a new kind of Christian can do a new kind of good in the world -- and somehow, none...(read more)

Dave Ferguson Responds to Session 9

2007-08-12T00:13:00Z

Dave Ferguson is back to share another session reaction, and once again, he displays his expertise at working through complexity and getting down to the simple and essential truths. That's exactly the power that Dave shares in his latest book, The Big Idea . Dave knows that churches can bombard people with so many little ideas that they can miss the big idea. Many church leaders can't stop talking about how this book has changed their outlook and is beginning to make a difference in their...(read more)

Chris Brooks Responds to Session 7

2007-08-12T00:01:00Z

At Willow, we are honored to know and occasionally get to collaborate with guest blogger Chris Brooks. He is a redemptive force in a world where bridges fail. He is passionate about connecting, training, and developing emerging Christian leaders. He is the national coordinator of UrbNet for the National Network of Youth Ministries and has worked with youth and families in an inner-city context for more than 10 years. He is also an active blogger and contributed to Shift Now! , the online experience...(read more)

Craig Groeschel Responds to Session 9

2007-08-11T20:19:00Z

I had a chance to visit Craig Groeschel 's church, LifeChurch.tv , last year before his talk at the A2 Conference . When I met Craig, I was struck by how passionate and focused he was. His willingness to take risks and try new things in sharing the gospel was unbelievable. It felt like he would literally do anything to help somebody know Jesus, even risking what other people thought of him. Craig will be a speaker at next year’s Leadership Summit because of his strong entrepreneurial leadership...(read more)

Efrem Smith Responds to Session 8

2007-08-11T19:56:00Z

Efrem Smith is an anointed leader and preacher. His thoughts and sermons drop like truth bombs. He has a prophet's passion and calling to be about reconciliation between people, between races, and the Church. Because of our friendship and partnership with Efrem, because we have sat under his teaching and have heard his heart, Willow is both one step closer to being the Blessed Community God calls us to be and more aware than ever of how far we have to go . Pastor of The Sanctuary Covenant Church...(read more)

Shauna Niequist Responds to Session 7

2007-08-11T19:08:00Z

We've invited Shauna Niequist to be a guest blogger for John Ortberg's session on A Leader's Greatest Fear. It's no surprise that one of Shauna's favorite books is Anne Lamott's Traveling Mercies . Shauna & Anne share a real-world love of life and of Jesus that is compelling and wonderfully artsy and free. She shares with her father (a senior pastor from Barrington, Illinois you may have heard of) an undeniable gift of leadership and belief that the church can be all that...(read more)

ONE Step to Take Now

2007-08-11T18:59:00Z

Coming out of the Richard Curtis interview, my mind is racing. Bill's comments, Brian McLaren's thoughts...not to mention what I feel God is saying to me. There are so many things we can do, so many things our churches can do and/or re-think. And some of that takes time, time to think through your strategy and plan on how to make a true long-term difference. If you are looking for just one step you could take now, then I encourage you, if you are a U.S. citizen, to check out the ONE campaign...(read more)

Brian McLaren Responds to Session 8

2007-08-11T18:42:00Z

Brian McLaren is out to change the world. In 2008, he is launching the "Everything Must Change" tour based on his newest book, Everything Must Change: Jesus, Global Crises, and a Revolution of Hope . In it, he calls people to a deep shift in their thinking about faith, church life, mission, ministry, art, justice, leadership, community, and worship. As an author, speaker, pastor, and networker, Brian McLaren's leadership and influence are evident . On a more personal note, I met Brian...(read more)

Comment Here On Session 10

2007-08-11T16:08:00Z

We're back with Kirk Franklin to kick off the last session of the 2007 Leadership Summit. What an amazing experience the last two days have been! I can't wait to hear how Bill wraps it all up. We've loved your comments and engagement with the Online Experience so far...Let us know your thoughts as we experience this closing session together . Check back here for related links that we'll be adding during the session, and don't forget to explore the multitude of links, resources...(read more)