Innovation3 Highlights

In a word it was off the charts. Okay, that's 3 words but in Texas it seems everything is more than expected and this conference was no exception. For an organization that "doesn't do conferences" they did a stellar job. [huge props to the organizers Todd Rhoades & Linda Stanley]

I loved the format & the teaching was phenomenal.
Very conversational, bright thinkers.

There were several fantastic people covering the event, but I think my favorite is Kent Shaffer at Church Relevance. Not only are his recaps comprehensive, but often posted as the speaker was still walking off the stage. Another fun thing is to glance at all the twitter comments, which can be found here

I wasn't able to attend all the sessions, but here's what resonated most with me this week:

• Even if we're producing good things, it can still be an empty ministry and a failure in God's eyes if done with the wrong motives <Tim Keller>

• Stacy Spenser is a man after my own heart. Love his commitment to authentically living out who you are as a church. I could've listened to him all day. He definitely has "zag"

• Those who are afraid to fail are those who fail most often <Craig Groeschel>

• The antidote for failure is not success, but small doses of failure <Mark Batterson via Groeschel>

• Dave Gibbons stretched my thinking the most. I love the perspectives he brought and look forward to reading his new book. [which incidentally sold out almost immediately in the conference resource center]

• Pastor Jenkins had me wanting to yell "preach it" several times. His passion is infectious. "Repetition of what worked before is the biggest thing holding us back"

• "If you're doing good things but not teaching the Gospel, you're just a rotary club--not the church" <Matt Chandler>

• Great leaders learn to ask great questions--even if you think you already know the answer. The tone in which they are asked will influence the answers you get. <Nancy Ortberg>

• The global church doesn't have the resources we have, yet it's growing and we're not <Bob Roberts> (I wonder how many of us blame the lack of [space, volunteers, money, ______] as an excuse of why we're "not able" to do what's needed?)

• A dangerous church will be less about a breakthrough idea & more about a broken heart.
  Your responsibility is sharing the gospel in a way that people will respond <John Bishop, emphasis mine>

[[sidenotes]]

• Bent Tree has an amazing facility, but even more amazing people behind it

• DJ Chuang is fully committed to his personal brand. "Orange" is more than just his avatar. It's a way of life. [He even lives in Orange County, for pete's sake] That makes me happy :)

• Cynthia Ware is truly every"ware". She's a brilliant thinker who's quick on her feet. I aspire to be like her someday.[check out her Innovation3 posts for a behind the scenes view]

• I shouldn't throw candy when teaching my sessions. Ever. I can't aim & an increased force when throwing didn't help. People were possibly injured. Please don't blame Leadership Network. They had no idea.
  • Key slides from the presentation can be found Download Innovation3_AspireOne_Brand Authenticity_09_notes
  • A more comprehensive notes version of the session written by Collide Magazine editor Scott McClellan [who makes me sound a lot smarter than I actually am] can be found here

Overall it truly was a stellar event.