Hit the Bullseye

Shoshannah and I flew to San Mateo, California to attend the annual "Hit the Bullseye" conference. Under the leadership of Dr. Paul Borden, the conference was superb, standing apart as one of the best conferences for Pastors and lay leaders of Churches.

The conference started on Sunday (5/20) with registration over coffee, pasteries, and good fellowship. We then headed to two worship services, one at the First Baptist Church in San Francisco, and the second at the New Vineyard Church in Santa Rosa. After each the services, we interacted with the Pastors, who opened their hearts to us and shared some of their hardships and breakthrough experiences.

The last two days of the conference were held at our hotel, which made things much easier and relaxing for us. The additional elements of the conference that interest me were the panels. During the first segment of the conference, a selected group of successful Pastors and regional leaders shared their experiences with a Q & A time. The rest of the time was focused on varied topical seminars, which were top-notched. For further information: www.growinghealthychurches.org

I am grateful for this great opportunity to just be a sponge and absorb what others had to share. It's inevitable that hardships and conflicts will come when a Pastor pushes a church to be outward focused. Whether it be from the church subculture, its lay leaders or governing boards, traditions and fear of change, conflicts will always hang around. The main question is, "are we going to endure and stay the course or give up and jump the boat?"

When I think about the Great Commission from our Commander in Chief, Jesus Christ, it always puts things into perspective for me and helps me question my present comfort zone and the corps' status quo.