Matter

The Matter conference is now less than a week away, and the official countdown is on. I’ll take this opportunity, probably my last given the way the week is shaping up, to give you a peak behind the curtain about what you can expect.

1. A crowd. Organizers capped attendance at 550, which was all we felt we could handle. But then they made about 50 exceptions for certain situations, bringing us to 600. Additionally, over 100 Nativity parishioners will be hosting-serving the event.
2. Networking Opportunities. One of the unexpected outcomes of the conference will be the opportunity for healthy and growing parishes to connect with one another. In fact, as a result of this event we hope to begin an association of sorts, in which we can stay connected and support one another.
3. Surprises.  From start to finish this will not be your average church conference. But then again, would you be coming if it was? We have plenty of elements designed to surprise, delight, encourage, amuse, motivate, and maybe even astonish you once or twice.
4. Great music. I have been listening in on the rehearsals. No kidding, the music is seriously over the top.
5. God honoring messages. Whether in the keynote addresses, the break out sessions, or panel discussions, we hope the information you’ll be hearing will be helpful and useful to you, but we also promise it will consistently honor God and His purpose for the Church.

Here are some tips to help you enjoy your experience more:

1. Register early on Thursday evening (6-9pm). Besides our registration–information team, our café will be open and we’re hosting a “milk & cookies bar.” Come in and start meeting people. Our new book “Tools for Rebuilding” will be available for the very first time ever and Tom and I will be doing book signing from 7-8pm.
2. For that matter, come early on Friday too. Enjoy a continental breakfast, and take a look around to find your bearings for the day.
3. Dress for comfort, we are entirely informal around here. Ladies, wear sensible shoes because there will be a lot of walking. Also, lunch is in a tent…it will be heated, but you have to walk there, so make sure you’re properly dressed.
4. Be ready to take lots of notes, be prepared to be pretty tired by the end of the day. But, stay for the whole day, because the end is going to be the best part.
5. Plan now to debrief with your group (that night or later in the weekend if you can). If you’re coming by yourself, find someone you can talk with when you get home.

And don’t forget, if you didn’t get a chance to sign up this year, we are live streaming all day long from the main sanctuary. Join us there.

The countdown is on.