When I returned home from the 2008 HOW Design Conference the question was “How did it go?”
In a word: WOW.
You know those times when the thing before you is bigger than yourself, when the results are so incredible that everyone can’t help but give glory to God? Monday night at the Design Evangelist session was just that type of moment. To see just how big our God is, a little bit of background needs to be given.
We (the Center for Church Communication) were asked a couple of months ago if we were interested in speaking at this year’s HOWconference. Of course we were excited about the opportunity and jumped at the chance. Being late to the game meant that people didn’t see us as they were pre-registering, our speaking slot was added on Monday night at 6:00 p.m. and we used one of the side rooms.
Honestly, I expected maybe a half-dozen people from the Church Marketing Lab to show. After all, not only were we late to the game, but we were talking about church marketing at a non-church conference.
The room was standing room only.
And they didn’t leave.
Not only did they stay, but they engaged in the conversation. Not only did we have dozens of questions, but they stayed afterwards to talk … at 7:15 p.m. on the first night of the conference. And the comments keep coming in … in fact just today I received an envelope with a pack of Twizzlers from Eric along with a thank you. One person let me know that this hadn’t just helped her as she worked with the church but helped her see the church in a whole new, and brighter, light. And it wasn’t about me, or even the presentation … it was about the community, it was about the encouragement found in seeing hundreds of people wanting to know more, learn more and dig deeper into this thing we call church marketing.
Thank you to all of you for your amazing support and reception, and thank you God for opening doors that only your large hands could open. For any of you who missed the session, you can get the notes here.
Greg
June 2, 2008
I am so glad to hear that it was such a success! I thought it was going to be like you thought it was going to be. Sorry I couldn’t make it.
Peter
June 2, 2008
That’s awesome to hear. I’m looking for the notes now. (I couldn’t make it as I wasn’t even present for the main event. :) )
I love to hear how God works at times like this, though. Always in unexpected ways.
Sara
June 2, 2008
Yay! So glad to hear this was a success!! I was stoked to hear about your partnership with HOW (my favorite industry magazine), and hope that things continue going well for you. Maybe I’ll see you at next year’s conference :)
Matt Kirkland
June 2, 2008
Whoohoo! Any idea if somebody will release a podcast of the talk and Q&A?
bill fioritto
June 3, 2008
I was there and it was great. Honestly there were some sessions at the conference that made me want to jump from a tall window but this session made my day. Thanks.
Adunate Word & Design
June 3, 2008
Great to hear of so much interest. That, together with the HOW magazine article shows there is a need and an interest in taking action.
God works in wondrous ways!
Adunate Word & Design
June 3, 2008
Great to hear of so much interest. That, together with the HOW magazine article shows there is a need and an interest in taking action.
God works in wondrous ways!
Adunate Word & Design
June 3, 2008
Great to hear of so much interest. That, together with the HOW magazine article shows there is a need and an interest in taking action.
God works in wondrous ways!
Adunate Word & Design
June 3, 2008
Great to hear of so much interest. That, together with the HOW magazine article shows there is a need and an interest in taking action.
God works in wondrous ways!
Adunate Word & Design
June 3, 2008
Great to hear of so much interest. That, together with the HOW magazine article shows there is a need and an interest in taking action.
God works in wondrous ways!
Adunate Word & Design
June 3, 2008
Great to hear of so much interest. That, together with the HOW magazine article shows there is a need and an interest in taking action.
God works in wondrous ways!