This time of year is generally the time in ministry for leader conferences to occur, firing up leaders, casting vision, and setting the pace in Sunday School small group work.  So why lead one?

1.  Leading/teaching a conference tracks with the old saying that you have really learned something when you can teach it.  Trust me; try teaching something brand new and feel the brain squeeze. Leading a conference gives me a stretch for something new.

2.  In leading a conference, you get to really look at what is working where you work.  You will be sharing frankly about what works and does not work, and you will be asked why something works or does not work in your place of service.

3.  Leading conferences makes me think outside of my box.  In other words, some things work in our context, but they may not in other locations, regions, communities.  Why is that?  Have I really thought hard about my own context and making tweaks, or am I being just a bit lazy with what worked 2 years ago.

4.  Leading conferences lets me explore new content to present and utilize where I serve.  I presented a fantastic ministry tool Monday night called Power Up Your World.  We will be using this in the spring of 2009.  Like I mentioned earlier, since I taught it, it helped me own it personally, and be ready to take our church family through it in the spring.  Check out this great resource:

Power Up Your World

I am honored to even be asked to lead a conference.  When you get the call, study, prepare, present passionately, reflect, and bring something new back where you serve.