Craig Groeschel Responds to Session 9

re: Craig Groeschel Responds to Session 9

Mackinsey — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 17:25:38 GMT

Craig I hope you don't mind me asking but were you adopted. It's just that my dad was adopted and you look like eachother. If you want to find me go to your SOC. Thanks for everything you've done to my family. Kinsey

re: Craig Groeschel Responds to Session 9

Craig Groeschel — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 22:05:17 GMT

Melissa, I pray God continues to "inconvenience" you and that you become even bolder for Christ in all you do! Blessings! Jimmy, I imagine you are right!

re: Craig Groeschel Responds to Session 9

Russ Hutto — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 19:54:43 GMT

I was truly inspired by Carter's openness to admit weakness and his dedication to serve not only the poor of the world, but also to his own spiritual community. I appreciated the fact that while he could be out on the golf course, he's actively involved in his faith family and in causes that are noteworthy. God's Best, Russ

re: Craig Groeschel Responds to Session 9

melissa dickey — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 02:04:31 GMT

You asked how God is “inconveniencing us”. Well, as for me, He has given me privilege and burden of knowing my purpose and I am unrelenting as I try to refine it and follow His will ahead of me. As for now it is being fulfilled by mentoring Job Corp students. I am working with them kind of as a life coach and as they accept Christ they really begin to consider what the godly choice would be. At the beginning it was INCREDIBLY inconvenient. It was hard to get on campus; the students didn't want any part of me and the things they did tell me were amazing lies that nothing to do with their real life. And closer to my heart, my husband and kids were jealous of the few hours a week I was spending with these students. But from when this started last August to now, even with all the heart ache and frustration, it has been AMAZING to see the Holy Spirit transforming the students who God has placed in my path. Watching young people make foolish mistakes and realizing it was wrong and asking forgiveness for the first time. Or a woman getting pregnant, no where near ready for motherhood and choosing to put the child up for adoption instead of kill it. You know, I can't imagine selling God or myself short by choosing the more convenient path. And now, it is almost like an addiction... a need to always push past the comfort zone to reach more for Him. (Hopefully, that is healthy...) Craig, I have been so encouraged at how Life continues to push the line - to truly "do anything -less of sinning- to reach the lost." Almost like Life Church’s boldness gives me permission to believe (and hold onto hope) that God’s will for the church is bigger then the box I grew up knowing it was in. My husband and I have grown discouraged as we continually hear our lead pastor and other pastors persistently challenge us all to jump - to do anything to reach the lost - and everyone stays where they are. On one side, it is neat, as it seems that leadership in so many churches have gotten it. However, it seems the ownership of Christ vision for us, as His church, is not being embraced in reality with 80% of the members. How do we help people who have never stepped out of the box, at least take off the lid to consider saying yes to being inconvenienced instead of automatically saying no?

re: Craig Groeschel Responds to Session 9

Kristen Aikman — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 02:53:31 GMT

Betty Ann-- Hello! You can find Porter's slides on his page under the Next Step Tab. It is the first thing! I'm so glad you liked the session. Kristen

re: Craig Groeschel Responds to Session 9

JOHN DAILEY — Sun, 12 Aug 2007 23:18:15 GMT

Having attended my first confernce thru my member church, I can say I have been truly blessed. I cant express joy and rededication of my life in Jesus Christ to your minstry. So I have expressed this to the church this morning. May God continue to bless your ministry. John Dailey Caledonia , Mich.

re: Craig Groeschel Responds to Session 9

Jimmy Paravane — Sun, 12 Aug 2007 21:22:08 GMT

"God, inconvenience us all for your glory." I have a feeling this one is going to get answered beyond your ability to imagine.

re: Craig Groeschel Responds to Session 9

Betty Ann Evans — Sun, 12 Aug 2007 20:50:23 GMT

I tried to get to Michael Porter's slides with no success. His comments were so helpful! Please help me find his slides. Thank you.

re: Craig Groeschel Responds to Session 9

Craig Groeschel — Sun, 12 Aug 2007 11:09:41 GMT

Darren, Thanks for your kinds words. It is amazing what God is doing through Willow. So many leaders are talking about it around the world. I can't wait to see what happens in the next few years as you all continue to take faith-risks! God bless you and your whole church family!

re: Craig Groeschel Responds to Session 9

Darren Niesley — Sun, 12 Aug 2007 04:47:23 GMT

Craig, I am happy to see that you are coming to the 2008 Leadership Summit. As a staff member of Willow, I am fortunate to see and hear a lot of high impact teachers. Naturally, I connect with some more than others and you are one who has stuck with me since you were at the A2 conference last year. I was impressed with how you respectfully challenged our leaders to continue taking risks for the sake of Christ and his Church. I believe that God was speaking this to us before you said it, but for me at that moment it was clearly God speaking through you. I attended a different conference in Texas this year when you talked about this event (but didn't mention Willow by name), so I know it was significant to you as well. I wanted to let you know that, from my perspective, our leaders and our congregation are becoming more bold and innovative in reaching the lost, serving the needy, and in so many other ways that I consider to be the heart of following Christ. I believe God will bless Willow for it. So thank you. Anyway, I was compelled to write about this because you happened to be the one commenting on the Jimmy Carter interview (which some thought was risky). As for the actual interview, it contained a lot for me to learn. You summarized it well.

re: Craig Groeschel Responds to Session 9

Craig Groeschel — Sun, 12 Aug 2007 02:02:44 GMT

David, In most cases, I imagine you are right. Blessings to your ministry in AZ.

re: Craig Groeschel Responds to Session 9

David Cowan — Sun, 12 Aug 2007 00:42:03 GMT

Craig, thank you for your thoughts on the conference... this one has been a great one, indeed... It is amazing to me how people can criticize Willow (Hybels) for having Carter there... my guess is that those that did throw a fit haven't done 10% of what Carter has done for the poor/homeless of the world. - David Cowan Pastor, Elevation Church Chandler, AZ