NOVA got off to a flying start on Thursday night with some amazing Worship from Tom Loewen and the Southridge Worship Band! High energy praise brought us to a time of reflection as Jason Hildebrand dramatically offered the three views of the story of the Prodigal son... this left everyone at a point of deep reflection and at times you could have heard a pin drop! That was followed up by Erwin McManus who, in a way only he can, hit us all right where it hurts the most and knocked us out of our comfort levels with a challenge to consider who we're called to do church for... the Luke, Johns and Mary's or the Dionysius and Damaris' of the world?!
Friday was the day where the speakers brought everything down to the practical application level of principles of leading ministries is an ever changing and diverse world. 16 Compass Sessions where met with about 50 Tool sessions that challenged the thinking and encouraged the ministry leaders to lead boldly and at times out of the box. One of the themes that weaved it's way through many of these sessions was the challenge for us to look closely at how we lead our ministries and to consider that our culture has changed significantly and in order for us to reach them, and change the decline in Christianity because "the way we've been doing church" isn't working! Here's one state that was offered... "Christianity has a 6% marketshare in Canada and declining!"
Friday evening's SOUL session unlocked the worship in everyone as Canada's own STARFIELD led a time of very dynamic worship that was blended with a call from Wayne Alguire, Sr. Pastor of Trinity Baptist church in Kelowna to surrender all the things that would limit our relationship with others, ourselves and God! As the music played we were asked to write those things that needed surrendering in our lives onto a piece of paper and bring it to the front. Then we placed the paper in a bowl of water and watched it dissolve! Very powerful stuff!
STARFIELD then came back up and closed the night out with more worship....!
So far, this has been just an amazing experience with many people murmuring about the impact it's having on their lives - praise God!
Today? Saturday we're back at it with more SOUL stretching teaching and some strategic TEAM time that will allow all the churches to gather as a team and begin the next step process of "what does this all mean as we move our church to reach it's redemptive potential!"?
