I’ve had the privilege to attend and speak at multiple conferences over the past couple of years. Last year, I cut down my speaking engagements to one a month, simply so I wouldn’t be away from the family for extended periods of time. Travel can be draining, even when you get to see new sights, meet new people, and enjoy good conversation.
But a couple weeks ago, I traveled to Southeastern Seminary to speak on Counterfeit Gospels for their 20/20 collegiate conference. Though it was an overnight trip with significant travel and a packed schedule, I arrived home feeling energized instead of drained. While we were catching up about our time apart, Corina asked me if I was tired. I replied, “Yes, but only physically. Spiritually and mentally, I feel refreshed.”
I started to think about why this conference in particular left me feeling refreshed? Three reasons:
1. Conversations about Mission
After the evening session was over on Friday night, two students from The College at Southeastern tweeted me and asked if I was interested in going with them to Applebee’s. Now, it was already late and I was tired, but since my internal clock was on Central Standard Time, it wasn’t as late as it seemed. And there’s no better way to get a feel for a college than to hang out with a couple of ordinary students. So, I responded to their tweet (surprised them too!) and we headed out to Applebee’s for a couple hours.
What did we talk about? In a nutshell – MISSION.
Oh, we talked about a few other things in introduction. But soon, these guys were bubbling over with what they were really passionate about – evangelism. I heard about the drug addicts they were witnessing to and meeting once a week for discipleship. I heard about the church plants they are involved in and the people their churches are reaching. I heard about the intentional missionary mindset they had in their communities.
In short, mission was the topic of discussion. There were a few times we talked about theological issues in evangelicalism, but even then it was clear that theology was in service to mission. I was refreshed by the unwavering Great Commission focus I discovered in these two young guys. The same was true of my host for the weekend, who told me stories about his mission work in the Philippines.
2. Theologically Rich Worship
Conferences are usually about the speakers, right? That’s why I hadn’t put much thought into what the music portion of the conference would be like. But Matt Papa took the stage and led us in songs he had composed, songs that were theologically rich, contemporary expressions of ancient biblical truth. And the sound of a thousand college students reveling in the finished work of Christ and committing their lives to him in response… well, I’ll just say that it was more than I expected. In a good way.
The renaissance of theologically-minded hymns coming out of the next generation is one of the brightest aspects of evangelicalism today.
3. Gospel-focused friendships
The brothers I was able to spend time with at SEBTS were gracious and hospitable. Our conversations were about the gospel and its implications for personal spirituality, for the mission of the church, and the way we treat each other. It’s true that I already had established friendships with faculty at SEBTS and the speakers at the event. Even so, there’s nothing better than the refreshing conversation that comes from guys who are joyful, focused on the cross, and excited to be making a difference for the kingdom.
The Take-Away
Church ought to be this way. For everyone. We don’t need conferences for this. We meet with the Body of Christ every week.
Our churches ought to be about the mission. (After all, the church is the sign and instrument of the kingdom. We exist to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ so that more and more will worship Him, know Him, and love Him.)
Our churches ought to have theologically rich worship services, where we exalt God and exult in God.
Our churches ought to be filled with people who have gospel-focused conversations, where we bring the gospel to bear on every inch of life, hold one another accountable, rebuke one another in love, and encourage one another in grace.
Let’s not rely on conferences to give us fuel for the journey. Let’s work to make our churches an oasis of grace, a place for refreshment and empowerment as we seek to fulfill the mission God has given us.
