There were so many great take-aways and things I am going to need to process/implement/chew on/wrestle with/think about, but here are ten of my learnings from the 2008 Leadership Summit:
1. “What happens if we invite people into our churches and they never change?” – Then you’ll be like Jesus. Jesus invited Judas in to his inner-circle and he never changed. (John Burke)
2. Sometimes you do everything for God…and die. Happiness is not the key. (Craig Groeschel)
3. Successful ministries have a “laser focus.” More ministries don’t make your church better. Better ministries make your church better. (Craig Groeschel)
4. Reach out and love across EVERY barrier. (John Burke, Effrem Smith, Bill Hybels)
5. “Jesus didn’t come to make us safe. He came to make us brave.” (Gary Haugen)
6. When non-believers ask hard questions (i.e. “What’s your church’s stance on gays?”), there are deeper questions being posed. (John Burke)
7. Pray this: “Bring it on, God.” (Catherine Rohr)
8. Sacrifice privacy for accountability. (Catherine Rohr)
9. “When Jesus returns, that is when true justice comes…but until then, it’s just us.” (Efrem Smith)
10. Don’t allow yourself to become a full time pastor (or church employee) and a part-time Christ-follower. (Craig Groeschel)
