In less than a fortnight's time, I'm going to be travelling with the clergy team (Rev Ainsley Swift, Rev Mary Barnes, Rev June Faulkner and Rev John Quick) and Penny Wells (Churchwarden at Holy Trinity) to Chicago, USA to attend the annual Willow Creek Global Leadership Summit. Since, the initial excitement of the decision to go with the team, I've been reflecting on the reasons for my going, and the (hopeful) benefits this will bring, not just to Holy Trinity Church, but to the wider New Windsor Team Ministry.
I can't deny that I'm excited at the opportunity to revisit Willow Creek Community Church and the Chicago area. Having had friends in the area, it's a bit of America I've already had the pleasure of visiting, and Chicago must be my favourite US city. Our experience at Willow Creek, was amazing - it's inspiring to see God working so powerfully - and it offers a challenge to me, certainly about how we "do" church in this country.
So perhaps, that's the first reason that I'm looking forward to the Summit. I'm exicted to see how God could be working in our churches, how he could be leading the faithful and committed clergy and lay teams and congregations to engage with the local community, and develp fruitful, Spirit-filled disciples. One of the aims of the Summit is to "envision, equip and encourage teams to grow and learn together" and one of the challenges will be to carry that vision and encouragement back to the congregations in the Team.
Secondly, I'm excited about identifying strengths (and weaknesses !) in myself, and learning new, practical skills, not just in leadership, but in being part of a team. I feel strongly that being part of a congregation means supporting the Leadership team in the direction they chose to take us, and part of the learning at the Summit for me will be to look at ways in which I can best support and encourage them as they continue in the leadership challenge.
Finally, and this is perhaps the most scary bit, I want to re-engage with the vision which Willow Creek has, which is that "the church is the hope of the nations". Another aim for the Summit is to explore the "life-changing potential of your church in your community and the world". This must definitely be the hardest part to envisage, but is the church's fufilment of the Great Commission- "go and make disciples of all nations..." (Matt 28:19). If we are serious about what we believe, and that it is life-changing, then we need to get out there and do it, and that's where we need committed and focused leadership supporting us and supported by us.
Please pray for the team as they are at the Summit, that it would be a time of inspiration, challenge and focus and a recharging of spiritual batteries. Please pray for all of us in our congregations that we would respond to their leadership positively and enthusiastically. Oh and pray that the sun shines in Chicago !
If you would like more information on the Willow Creek Global Leadership Summit please go to the left hand side of the homepage for links to the Willow Creek website
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