Is it me or does it seem like there are a lot more conferences for pastors these days?
It seems like every time I turn around I am getting a promotion piece or tweet or email announcing a conference. And from what I see, it seems like these conferences are pretty well attended. People show up. If you build it (and put well-known speakers on the docket)…they will come.
MY QUESTION
But, one prevailing question I have with regard to attending or hosting a conference is with regard to goal setting. Why would I go? Why are they hosting? What’s the point?
I think this is where people start spinning their wheels. And this happens on both sides. They go because they’ve always gone or because everyone else is going. Or they have a conference because they did last year or “so and so” is having one.
A PERSONAL GRID
Personally, I have adopted a philosophy that takes into consideration my chief limitations of time and resources. My goal in attending is not merely to receive affirmation in ministry. I don’t just want to be told that I’m doing a great job and everyone else is a bum. And I don’t just want a ton of information dumped on me. Instead, I want transformation. I want my heart, mind and life to be impacted by the Scriptures and lives of godly, gifted, faithful leaders so that I can effectively evaluate the ministry that I have been entrusted with. I want to glean from others.
Bottom line: I want to go to a conference to learn and be refreshed in ministry. I don’t just want to follow the celebrities and eat the “red-meat.”
Therefore, I feel that I must be prayerfully and thoughtfully selective. But at least there is a goal. I feel like I have a way to process all of the conferences that come across my screen. I have to think in terms of getting life-transforming gusts of gospel breeze in my ministry sails.
STILL CURIOUS THOUGH
I’m curious what others do or how you think about this. It seems like some guys are always going to this conference or that conference. What is the criteria? And how can guys be faithful to the local church they are supposed to be serving in if they are running all over the place attending conferences about how to be faithful in the local church?