BST's Blog

Thanks to the “Lizard of Oz” I woke up at 6:30 this morning hearing the very strange voice of Glenda the “good witch” singing “come out, come out wherever you are and meet the young la-dy who came from a star”. What’s with her voice anyway? It’s a terrifying way to wake up.

Great, great comments yesterday. It’s so cool to know that so many people are interested in education. Both of my parents were educators. My dad was a school administrator after teaching 6th grade for several years. My mom was school librarian, then an LRC coordinator for the Abilene school district and then taught Children’s and Young Adult Literature at ACU for ten years or so. I still remember my father talking about kids and how things were different then than they ever had been. My feeling is, every generation has wondered and dealt with these types of issues. My dad was a very positive leader. His method was to help kids develop a passion for learning. He would have HATED all this test goobledy-gook. (It’s fun to take the kids to Sam Thomas Elementary when we’re in Abilene and tell them that it’s named after their “Poppy”. Some day they’ll understand more about that.) Both of my parents were very influential in the lives of children and helped to shape character and even faith…and all of that was in public schools.

Speaking of school, I almost literally ran into Amy Grant in the parking lot last week. Vince and Amy’s daughter is in school here. All her kids have gone through here. She’s such a neat woman. Have any of you seen her new show, “Three Wishes”? It’s really cool. It’s neat to see her ministering—even on prime time television. (It would have been just my luck to have a collision in our parking lot and it be with her or someone like that...but it would have made for a great story!)

I’m really excited about the conference next week. It’s so hard to believe that one week from tomorrow we’ll be getting started. I have a real sense of anticipation about it!

ZOE’s rehearsing tonight and we’re celebrating Melissa’s birthday. It’s been so fun to sing all these years with people we love. We’ve all sort of grown up together…getting married, having kids, etc. Now we’re also getting to celebrate the upcoming marriage of David’s son. I can’t imagine ministry without these folks. I love them dearly. We’re looking forward to being reunited with Peter too. He flies in from Malibu next Thursday. Cope also comes in Thursday. Can’t wait to see you, bro! Not sure yet when Walling gets in.

Here’s a schedule of events and speakers for those of you who are coming. Maybe this will help give you an idea of what to expect. Word of explanation--Discerning Communities will be assigned when you arrive (much like the Emergent Convention). Affinity Communities are comprised of those who are in similar jobs--like worship ministers, praise team, tech, Elders, children's ministers, etc.

Thursday, October 6
11:00 am – Registration Opens
1:00 pm – Worship
2:00 pm – Discerning Communities
4:00 pm – Affinity Communities
5:00 pm – Dinner Break
6:30 pm – Worship
7:00 pm – Discerning Communities
9:00 pm – Late Night Program (this is when the Otter team and band will do our thing)

Friday, October 7
8:00 am – Affinity Communities
9:15 am – Worship
10:00 am – Discerning Communities
11:30 am – Lunch Break
1:30 pm – Worship
2:15 pm – Discerning Communities
4:00 pm – Worship
4:30 pm - End

Guest Resources:
Mission - Leonard Sweet & Larry James
Kingdom - John York & Wade Hodges
Incarnation - Mike Cope & Randy Harris
Healing - LaJuana Gill & TBA

Leonard Sweet
A popular speaker, Len has written more than twenty books, including the postmodern trilogy AquaChurch, SoulTsunami, and SoulSalsa. His web-based preaching resource in partnership with Group Publishing is calledwww.PreachingPlus.com .

Larry James
Larry James is President and CEO for Central Dallas Ministries, a human and community development corporation serving inner city Dallas, Texas.

Friday, October 7
5:30 pm – Registration Opens
7:00 pm – Worship--BST and Mike Cope
9:00 pm – Late Night Program (John Chisum Concert and a taize worship experience are two of the choices)

Saturday, October 8
8:30 am – Worship--BST and Jeff Walling
10:15 am – Workshop Session I
11:30 am – Lunch Break
1:00 pm – Michael Card Performance
2:15 pm – Workshop Session II
3:45 pm – Workshop Session III
5:00 pm – Dinner Break
7:00 pm - Worship--BST and Mike Cope

Guest Resources:
Mike Cope, Abilene, TX – Jeff Walling, Charlotte, NC – Michael Card, Franklin, TN – Jill Maxwell, Abilene, TX – Donna Hester, Abilene, TX – Larry & Linda Bridgesmith, Nashville, TN – Larry James, Dallas, TX – Wade Hodges, Tulsa, OK – Randy Gill, Nashville, TN – Brandon Scott Thomas, Nashville, TN – John Chisum, Mobile, AL – Eddie Plemmons, Franklin, TN – Randy Harris – Abilene, TX – John York – Brentwood, TN – Matt Maxwell, Abilene, TX – Media Shout, Nashville, TN and many more.


Workshop Sessions:
Missional Church – Spiritual Direction – Children’s Ministry – Worship Planning – Church Leadership – Recovery Ministries – Youth Ministry – Worship Ministry – Drama Ministry – Audio and Media Ministries – Songwriting – Voice Clinics – Media Shout – Technology – Arranging Music and many more.

Have a blessed day, everyone.