{you} as conference editor

it's good to travel, and stay in hotels, and participate in conferences. and, it's really good to be home. after a busy two weeks of back-to-back conferences, i'm tired, energized, and reflective.

here's the thing about conferences: none are perfect. organizers give it their best shot in hopes it will serve participants just right. but, just like curriculum you've got to be your own editor. you've got to listen, discuss, disagree, and apply what you've learned in a way that's right for your context. 

i think, the most dangerous thing we can do is take every speaker we heard, every children's ministry example we saw, and every curriculum lesson demonstrated at face value. to simply say, it worked for them so it will work for me is silly, and impossible. a conference is not a take-home-kit. you can't box it up, only to unwrap it days later at home and hope all perfectly falls into place. 

a conference experience is meant to be processed, and wrestled over, and discussed further. all in hopes that when you're finished serving as editor, you'll have something, a tidbit or revelation that will be just right for the children and families you serve. 

here's how i'm editing my own conference experience: 

i spent a week in Dallas at the D6 Conference as part of jacob's social media team. D6 is a collection of the nicest people in the world, each kinder than the one before. on the way to the airport, a board member asked my opinion about the event, and i shared it because he asked and listened. this is always the tone of D6: kind, respectful, and committed to the cause of family in the church. 

i'm reminded that to be heard as a leader i must speak in gentle, intelligent, informed, and respectful tones. there are too many church leaders shouting angry messages to the church and the world hoping all will hear, listen and repent. D6 modeled kindess and i'm bringing that home with me. 

straight from D6, i headed to the KIDMIN conference in Chicago. it was a surreal experience coming from D6 which mostly consisted of men to KIDMIN which overwhelmingly consisted of women. the contrast was so apparent that i wondered where men & women go to attend a conference together?

conferences are always about the people for me, and it was so good to see so many friends at KIDMIN. we spent each night in the hotel bar catching up and laughing and cheering each other on.

i had the opportunity to teach my {non} traditional family class which is my most favorite thing to talk about it -- and once again, the participants were engaged and respectful, and open to creating more welcoming environments in their children's ministry. some days, i feel like i'm fighting a great fight for {non} traditional families and yet, when i'm leading this class i'm reminded of the many church leaders who are honestly trying to be more open and are actively wrestling with this topic.

i'm coming home re-comitted and re-dedicated to this topic, and thinking about comments made by attendees as they shared their own stories of pain in the church. i'm thinking today about my language and how it can only serve to create a more loving, caring space for families in my church. 

you & me as conference editors. reviewing what we've learned, and taking steps toward our own practical application. how are you editing your conference experience today? 

Comments

[Barbara Deatherage]

Thanks so much for this advice. I have to admit that I am one of those who tends to try to digest and implement everything I hear at a conference - #1 impossible, #2 not necessary, #3 dangerous. Thanks for helping me to remember that conference speakers are just people like me. We learn from each other but then we listen to the Holy Spirit and let Him show us what we can and cannot use in the ministry He has given to us.