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No response

Published September 20, 2010 | By Shawn

I tweeted this last week:

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I have over 700 followers on Twitter, many of them Christians, and plenty of them leaders. No response to the above tweet. I did get a couple retweets from good guys, though (thanks @sdresser and @crucialencountr.)

What’s our fascination with conferences? What do you get there that you don’t get in the Word, going to church on Sunday, living life in a small group, and working with the needy?

I’m not dissing the occasional conference, mind you. But I’m seeing Christian leaders on Facebook and Twitter talking about going to conferences nearly every other week. Why? Wouldn’t those resources be better spent taking care of those who aren’t sure where their next meal is coming from?

Listen, I’m as big a hypocrite as the next. I’m not saying I’m better than anyone else. I just can’t help but think we’ve got our priorities all screwed up.

Jesus didn’t come to hang out with other Christians, pay hundreds of dollars to hear great worship songs and hear some rock star pastors tell us how much we suck. So why do we?

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  • http://www.whatsthislifefor.posterous.com PastorT

    Well, I think we have to realize that the "big time" guys and gals aren't "spending" resources, but are "making" resources with these conferences. There's your reason why.

    Now then, why anyone in their right mind would pay hundreds of dollars to hear what I can get from YouVersion for free, is beyond me :-).

    Oh, one more thing….the reason I was a qwitter back in the day……Our "followers" on twitter no more follow us than am I the man on the moon. Again, has to do with the numbers, not the relationships……obviously not all-inclusive.

    K, I'm done.

    • http://shawnw.org shawnw

      Making resources? They're only creating a culture that says "keep going to conferences!"

      • http://www.whatsthislifefor.posterous.com PastorT

        Ok, maybe 'resources' was the wrong word, but these LEADERS are gettin PAID to speak at these conferences…..that was my point. Have you seen the ticket prices for some of these?? MAN!

        • http://shawnw.org shawnw

          I have – it's crazy! I don't know what it is but lately all I can think about is, when I get to heaven, I'm going to have to give an account for my life. What am I going to say? "I really liked my Android phone!" "I learned a lot at the 219 conferences I attended." Is He going to ask me, "but what about your neighbor up the block who was on food stamps. What did you do for them?" I don't want to be faced with that question without a good answer!

  • http://theperkinsblog.net MichaelDPerkins

    I'm with you Shawn. Washing feet/serving those we are called to serve is crucial.

    We do have to train and equip people to serve. I pray that all that you are speaking about are prayerfully considering what they are doing…just as we should.

    Good stuff bro.

    • http://shawnw.org shawnw

      I agree, we do need to equip and train. It just seems like we're creating "lifetime students." They go to conference after conference put never put it into practice. They're spiritually constipated.

      Thanks for the comment!

      • http://theperkinsblog.net MichaelDPerkins

        That is way funny. I do read them all. You are In my reader. I'll try not to be such a lurker.

        • http://shawnw.org shawnw

          Ha, no worries man. I read your stuff, too, and love it. I'll stop lurking at the Perkins blog, too! :D

  • http://twitter.com/levittmike Michael Levitt

    I missed that tweet (probably watching football instead ;-)

    One thing that eats at me is that so many times is that us Christians spend a lot of time with each other, which is what we're called to do. However, we cannot expand the Kingdom if we're inside our walls, and not out with all of God's creation.

    Conferences can be used for good, but sometimes they can get in the way of what we are all called to do. If they're used to support us in our calling, then awesome! Otherwise, they can turn into a getaway to a nice climate for a few days.

    Blessings!

    • http://shawnw.org shawnw

      Michael, all good points. Thanks for the comment!

  • http://twitter.com/DrewCarpenter Andrew Carpenter

    Gotta say – I didn't see the original tweet. However, I didn't go to any conferences this year. I went to the local symposium on Homelessness here in ATX and I watched the satellite for the Willow Leaders thing a couple of years ago. May have spent $200 in the last two years. Still not very good at being the servant leader, but i think I quit looking for the next big thing about 4 years ago. The next big thing is inside of us, he is just waiting for us to wake up to it. get out the towels and water basins.

    • http://shawnw.org shawnw

      Andrew, well put! Oh yeah… REMEMBER THE ALAMO! ;)

      • http://twitter.com/DrewCarpenter Andrew Carpenter

        I almost put that in there for a little levity. Ha. Your "twang" ain't quite right. Keep working on it.

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  • http://www.iheartbrad.com Brad Gross

    Great post Shawn, thanks for writing it. I agree completely with you! It's always been a mystery to me that people dump so much time, energy and financial resources into these things.

    • http://shawnw.org shawnw

      Yep. I mean, I understand the occasional conference for learning, training, etc. but man, it seems like there's a ton of spiritual intake and no output.

      Thanks for the comment!

  • http://www.tonyjalicea.com Tony Alicea

    Wow, I just posted a Tweet similar to this the other day:
    http://twitter.com/tonyjalicea/status/25324378468

    I don't have a problem with conferences per se, I'd just like to see more practical application and not just head knowledge.

    • http://shawnw.org shawnw

      Tony, thanks for the comment!

      My concern is we're spiritually constipated. It's like we do fine with the "Love the Lord your God" part but we flake on the "love your neighbor" part because it's hard, and uncomfortable. We're taking plenty in, but not letting any out.

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