In July I spent 10 days in Ft Collins, CO at the US National Staff Conference. The conference was held on the beautiful campus of Colorado State University, and around 5,000 US Cru staff attended. This year the conference was named Cru15 and had four main areas of focus:
Along with these 4 aims, there was also a general theme, "together," which came out throughout the conference as a thread that tied everything together: unity as an organization and as the body of Christ, in all that we do: oneness in evangelism, oneness in diversity, partnering with others and in global missions. There were multiple sessions each day covering these 4 different topics. Basically... it was TCX on steroids! Sessions also included worship, spotlights on various ministries, and two categories of speakers: organizational leaders from within Cru, and “thought leaders.” I didn't understand why we kept calling them "thought leaders" throughout the conference, until I looked up the definition of the phrase: the go-to person in their field of work; a trusted sources who moves and inspires people with innovative ideas; turns ideas into reality, and knows and shows how to replicate their success. Throughout the conference it was encouraging to hear from both types of leaders. Cru leaders provide a wealth of experience and wisdom and vision we can learn from. But thought leaders are invaluable, as they present a perspective and level of expertise in areas that we definitely do not have within Cru. Both types of speakers did a solid job of bringing the importance of oneness into each topic we addresses. Oneness as we follow Christ and pursue the mission God has called us to, and oneness within the Body of Christ as we work with those from different backgrounds and different organizations. I'm excited to share more about specific leaders we heard from in the coming days! For now, enjoy some photos taken by conference photographers.
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My first week at college my freshman year, I met a group of Christians on campus that, to be honest, freaked me out. They all talked about being "born again" and asked each other when they "got saved." I was so weirded out. I had never, and I mean never, heard people talk like that before. Sure, I grew up in church, but not a church like these people came from.
And to be honest, I thought they were wrong. I thought the gospel that I knew, the one where I had to work hard to earn God's love and favor, was the true way to live. I wasn't confident enough in my beliefs to argue with them, though, so I did the only thing I could think of that would prove me right and them wrong: I started to read my Bible. Surely the word of God would back up my view. And very quickly, I saw that even though these strange people with their strange language made me uncomfortable, their beliefs about Jesus and the good news of the gospel were pretty much right on. I read verse after verse explaining that we can't ever do enough good on our own to be right in God's eyes, we need someone or something to pay for the debt we have with God. The perfect payment for that debt: Jesus. This week at Cru15, we've been presented with some new and challenging ideas about the way we do ministry and the way we live our lives as Christ-followers and missionaries. And I can't help but compare how I felt that fall of my freshman year with how I feel now: a little uncertain about some of the things I'm hearing. A little uncomfortable with some language being used that I'm not used to hearing. But there's also a desire to know what's true, to know God's heart on each of these matters. And my take away is that the best thing to do right now is to come before the Lord and ask him to show me what he thinks about all the things I'm contemplating. Hard things like racial reconciliation, privilege, judging others, identity in Christ, and many more topics. We've heard from a myriad of incredibly smart, well-read, well-educated leaders not only in Cru, but also outside of our organization. But what God's word has to say about each of these issues trumps what anyone else might have to say. I don't doubt that what's been said from the stage at Cru15 is completely biblical; but I have this nagging feeling that I need to take seriously the responsibility to also learn for myself what God has to say through his word. I have no doubt, that doing so will only confirm what's been said this week and will help me to understand things in a more comprehensive way. I'm grateful for leaders who walk closely with Jesus and have taken care to get to know God and his heart for the world. I'm excited to contemplate these things and get to know his heart for myself. Because the word of God is active and alive. It is sharp. It penetrates. It is flawless. It endures through changes in culture and through changes in ministry strategies. It is a light for the way we should walk in this world. |
Amy WellnerEncouraging others to intentionally live out their God-given identity. Archives
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