was the main speaker that spoke about the need for connection in American culture since it is becoming more and more relationally depreived. Here is Will's profile from the Willow Creek site:
Will Miller is a psychotherapist, ordained minister, and hospital and police chaplain. He has worked in community mental health centers and drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs and has served as a spokesman for the
National Institute of Mental Health. Simultaneously, for 16 years, Will had a successful career as a stand-up comedian. He has headlined in clubs and theaters across the country, appearing with such stars as
Aretha Franklin and
Natalie Cole. He is one of the country’s foremost media and popular culture analysts, having served as host of
Nick at Nite’s “Why We Watch” segment for five years. Currently, Dr. Miller is a therapist and campus minister at
Purdue University, where he lectures on media effects. He has written three books, including the acclaimed
Refrigerator Rights. Will holds a master’s degree and a doctorate in urban education from the
University of Massachusetts at Amherst, a master’s in clinical social work from
Columbia University, and a master’s in divinity from
Union Theological Seminary.
/2007/09/ancient-futur-1.html">Session two was also very good. I have seen these two gentlemen do their thing on CCN in the Groups That Grow series and they brought that right to the stage at the Group Life Conference this morning. They have challenged our leaders in four ways:
- Create a safe environment - people will keep coming when they feel safe and they will begin to share
- Be authentic - When people feel safe they start to share in an authentic way
- Offer help - asking for and offering help can be a point of tension
- Providing care - don't try to just fix others problems really care for them emotionally as well
- Encourage growth - real shepherding is spurring others on in growth not just responding to crisis
Posted by: Frank Chiapperino in group ministry on
Sep 27, 2007
/2007/05/jesus-creed.jpg">
I just completed our opening session at the
Group Life Conference and Scott McKnight just gave the opening teaching. He is the author of a book called The Jesus Creed and he really casted a vision for a transformation in group ministry that is needed. He started by sharing a phrase that Bill Hybels often says which is "The local church is the hope of the world." McKnight wants to add to that. He shared that, "If the hope of the world is the local church, than the hope of the church is group life." McKnight then challenged us in 5 areas:
- We shape group life by the principles in Jesus' life - Love God and love your neighbor
- Group Life is not about technique but it is about fellowship with Jesus
- Group Life can break down purity lines - we need to be open to others that are not yet followers of Christ
- Group Life has to be a safe place for others to share critisim, confess, and ask questions
- Group Life must aim for community and personal transformation.
I look forward to posting more and translating what I am learning hear from the teaching and the team of leaders that we brought and then applying that in our church context. I will post again soon.
Chicago ahead of schedule. The team had a great time on the way to the LaQuinta Inn from the airport. I plugged in my Zune which was loaded with music and brought everyone back to their childhood playing a music guessing game with classic TV themes. It passed the van ride quickly.
We have a great group that is eager to learn and really loves what God is doing in our church. After checking in we buzzed over the the church for New Community.
Mike Breaux taught today on Spiritual Gifts and it was the perfect way to start off our time together. It put the whole experience we were about to have into perspective and helped us to focus on our individual roles in the body of Christ.
Hopefully we will keep that in perspective as we attend the conference and learn from other teachers, churches, and eachother.
.jpg" alt=" " width="108" height="108" align="left" />Tomorrow at noon I will be leaving with a team from our church (
Christ's Church of the Valley) for the Group Life Conference at Willow Creek. Each night I will be posting about my experiences that day so stay tuned. I am sure it will be an exciting week!
