A day after my attendance at the Exponential Conference, I’m still digesting everything I heard, saw and experienced for the last few days. It’s a lot to absorb, but this is what I liked and didn't like about the conference.
Top Things I Like From Exponential Conference
• “A church bldg was never meant to be the destination.” - Reggie McNeal
• Mosaix Church worship team leading the plenary group in the classic Doobie Brother's Long Train Running. "Without love..."
• Francis Chan’s message about why he stepped down from his pastoral role at his church in Simi Valley, CA. It completely wrecked me.
• “Apostles need prophets - prophetic intelligence for apostolic architecture.” - Alan Hirsch
• Sharing communion w/ thousands of other pastors/leaders. How inspiring!
• Hanging out with the guys from CMA Mid-Atlantic District.
• “We study the Great Commission, but how many disciples can we point to in our lives? Stop studying and start doing!” Francis Chan
• “If you're loving on a city without sharing the Gospel you're simply making them more comfortable on their way to hell.” - Matt Chandler
• RightNow’s mission: Are you a trader? Trade your dreams for faith in action.
• “Have you decided to follow Christ or did you invite Christ to follow you?” – Mark Batterson
Top Things I Didn’t Like About Exponential Conference
• Consumerism is still rampant in the Church – way too much marketing and promotions going on at this conference. I know it’s a conference, but can we please separate ourselves from the world just a little? Here we have thousands of church planters – many of whom are clueless about what decision to make next – and they’re being pummeled with offers to help their plant be successful. Every workshop promoted books authored by the presenters. Every time I walked through the crowded halls with vendor booths lining both sides, I felt God’s heart breaking. Has this what church planting training and preparation become - just a marketing opportunity for a book sale or contract with a coaching organization?
• One speaker would say one thing and the next speaker would contradict him. When you have dozens of presenters, you’re bound to get diverse opinions. I get that. The main issue I have is that the audience is a group of people who are planting churches (most of them for the first time ever). We’re looking for guidance. Many will leave this conference more confused than they were when they arrived.
• Some workshop presenters were much more interested in promoting their information than answering questions. Workshops by definition are supposed to include adequate time for Q and A. Many of the workshops I attended left only a few minutes at the end and were not able to field and answer the questions church planters had.
• There wasn’t enough emphasis on following God’s leading and too much emphasis on methods, models and coaching from other people who aren’t a part of your community or church plant. Transferable concepts are great, but there’s no substitute to following the prompting of the Holy Spirit. I just didn’t hear that spoken enough from the presenters.
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