Evotional.com - Mark Batterson

I was part of a multi-site panel at Willowcreek's first multi-site forum yesterday. What a blast to hang out with people who have the same passion! I only shared a few comments on the panel, but we hosted a dinner for about seventy pastors and leaders last night. We did an hour-and-a-half of Q & A. I was exhausted and energized at the end of the day. Speaking to pastors is one of my passions.

It was pretty intense being back at willowcreek. I attended a conference in 1993 when I was in seminary and that conference had a pretty radical impact on me. If I had to summarize what that conference did for me it'd be this: it gave me permission to do church different. I walked away inspired to plant a church that would "do it different."

Probably the highlight of the day was re-connecting with Dave Ferguson from Community Christian Church in Naperville and meeting some pastors I've admired long-distance: Craiq Groeshel from Lifechurch, Larry Osborne from North Coast Community, and Rich Birch from The Meeting House.

I walked away from the forum totally encouraged about the future of the church. There are some pretty amazing people doing some pretty amazing things across the country.

Praise God!