4G Highlights – Day Two

Well, day two did not disappoint! Two main sessions and two breakout sessions packed a schedule that also provided time to connect with other Pastors/Church leaders.

Here are the highlights…

Dr. Bill Donahue: What did the Reveal Study Really Reveal?

led the early morning session with a report on the “Reveal” study from Willow Creek. The basic gist of the study is that Willow Creek is intentional in evaluating the effectiveness of every ministry and program so that the Church is most effective in reaching and discipling people for Christ. Here are some key points from Dr. Donahue’s morning keynote address on spiritual growth happens most effectively…

• Personally reading and reflecting on the Bible is the most powerful catalyst for spiritual growth!
• Developing Core Christian beliefs is crucial for those in the early stages of Christian growth.
• Personal Spiritual practices are the building blocks for a Christ centered life.
• Serving is the most catalytic spiritual growth experience.
• Spiritual community is vital and migrates from Organized to Organic.

Dennis Pethers: Groups for Growth

Dennis Pethers led the E-Group optional breakout sessions and also delivered the keynote address in the evening session. As you can already tell from my previous posts, Dennis has challenged me in a multitude of ways toward evangelism through small groups. Here are some highlights…

Evangelism Groups

• If we are to evangelize North America there is as much need for the transformation of Christians as there is for those who are lost.
• Evangelism is not an event, it is a process by which we are listening to the lost and sharing Christ with them.
• Don’t wait until you are desperate to realize that the Church is not equipped to reach lost people.
• #1 Reason given by people leaving the Church in the United Kingdom is that they do not want to go to Church where people think they are better than us, when they really are not.
• The worship service is not that which we aiming for, but rather should be the place from which sending out disciples.
• God desires our worship to be performed when we scatter rather than when we gather.
• We need to present Jesus as the question before we present Jesus as the answer.
• Authenticity in the Church does not mean perfect, it means being transformed.

Finally, to close our meeting, the 4G group was blessed to see a sneak peek of the soon to be released motion picture “Courageous.” I’ll let the trailer speak for itself. I am looking forward to this movie!