When I was in college, I worked one year in the campus chaplain’s office. I noticed that most of the time, it seemed, by boss – the chaplain – was attending meetings. I commented that it must be nice to be paid to go to meetings. Meetings that plan other meetings. A world of meetings.

I’m in a world of meetings. Last week I went to the Summit Leadership Conference at Willow Creek Community Church outside of Chicago. Thursday through Saturday noon of meetings.

I’m now at Pastors meetings in McCall, ID. I missed last night because I was on the way back from Chicago – and got to the camp at 2:00 am this morning, and now I’m in another meeting.

Meetings may not always be as fun as I originally thought. Numb butt can set in. Brain fatigue. An ADD mind can go crazy.

But, I’m not as bitter as I might be. Last week was inspiring, empowering, and encouraging.
I have a new vision for meetings. A united community searching for the answers of God. If we are the body of Christ, then us coming together should be the body of Christ uniting to work together.

At The Experience, I’m looking forward to a new set of meetings. Meetings that will happen at all levels of The Experience – Leadership Team; Ministry Leaders; Volunteers; and all of the family.

No! Not more meetings! No, maybe not meetings for the sake of meetings, meetings that are people talking and never resulting in change or life transformation. Instead – meetings focused on prayer, fasting even maybe, repentance, and seeking the will of God for a vision for The Experience.

And not just a vision! We’ve talked vision since we began. I believe in a strong vision. I believe that without vision, people perish. But, at The Experience I’m not sure we can succinctly state our vision in a clear, simple, powerful way. And, more than that, that vision then translated into specific, measurable goals. And those goals translated into a strategy that moves us forward and gives us a way to achieve our goals – which fulfills our vision.

Incredibly importantly is that we journey through this – and this is not going to be a quick process. It’ll be a long journey that will take months. Because, most importantly, it must be vision, goals, and strategy that the whole Experience family is passionate about. That we own together.

Why is this important? Because we must make disciples for Jesus Christ. Why?

1. Because God told us to. Matthew 28 – the great commission – go and make disciples.

2. Because it’s the only thing that lasts beyond our life.

3. Because it’s why The Experience is here. We are not here for ourselves. We are not about ourself. We are about Him.

4. We must do this together. The Experience is not me; the building we rent; the leadership. The Experience is the family members in The Experience.

So, I’m excited about a world of not meetings, but a searching together to hear the voice of God in the community. We’ll be talking more about this in the future – of course.

So, back to meetings for me…. I’m feeling ADD….

Brian