My Love & Hate Relationship With Speaking At Conferences
Sunday, February 25, 2007
I love and hate speaking at conferences to people I don't really know. Saturday's True City experience was no different for me.
I did a two hour session on "the gospel in an urban context". I used Ryan Bolger and Eddie Gibbs definition of emerging churches as a starting point, and explained each point in some depth as they relate to the gospel in urban, emerging contexts, and why they have been important in terms of our own story at The Freeway. Their definition is basically that emerging churches:
On one hand, I hate speaking to people I don't know. I feel like I have to add so much background and context... so much in so little time... and I often say stupid things because I don't use notes. I don't use notes because I feel I can be more authentic and passionate without them. I guess I just wonder how I can share everything necessary on a subject in a couple hours or less, all in one shot. It seems like having a conversation would be much better than a monologue, but with 30 people who don't know each other that is next to impossible in that kind of setting too.
On the other hand, it is kind of refreshing to speak my mind on particular subjects, knowing that my job is to get people thinking... and not to coddle them. And we had a really great question and answer time [about 40 minutes worth].
Over all, I thought the conference - the stuff I went to anyway - was really great. Well planned, and great content. And I have really appreciated meeting and getting to know Dave Witt [one of the organizers] in the process. He is a great guy with a big heart for this city. I am looking forward to working with him and the team more in the future.
I did a two hour session on "the gospel in an urban context". I used Ryan Bolger and Eddie Gibbs definition of emerging churches as a starting point, and explained each point in some depth as they relate to the gospel in urban, emerging contexts, and why they have been important in terms of our own story at The Freeway. Their definition is basically that emerging churches:
1) Identify with the life of Jesus.
2) Transform the secular realm.
3) Live highly communal lives.
4) Because of these they:
- Welcome the stranger.
- Serve with generosity.
- Participate as producers.
- Create as created beings.
- Lead as a body.
- Take part in spiritual activities.
On one hand, I hate speaking to people I don't know. I feel like I have to add so much background and context... so much in so little time... and I often say stupid things because I don't use notes. I don't use notes because I feel I can be more authentic and passionate without them. I guess I just wonder how I can share everything necessary on a subject in a couple hours or less, all in one shot. It seems like having a conversation would be much better than a monologue, but with 30 people who don't know each other that is next to impossible in that kind of setting too.
On the other hand, it is kind of refreshing to speak my mind on particular subjects, knowing that my job is to get people thinking... and not to coddle them. And we had a really great question and answer time [about 40 minutes worth].
Over all, I thought the conference - the stuff I went to anyway - was really great. Well planned, and great content. And I have really appreciated meeting and getting to know Dave Witt [one of the organizers] in the process. He is a great guy with a big heart for this city. I am looking forward to working with him and the team more in the future.
Labels: speaking