Just back from a 3 day conference at the O2 Arena - our annual Hillsong conference. This year's theme is No Other Name and I love all the sermons at every night rally. The daytime sessions of "Let's talk church" are packed with really practical stuff, such as navigating through a crisis ("Leadership is shown in a crisis, not when things are going well"). Pure practical, real stuff. And of course, with praise and worship led by our own Hillsong team, and Matt Redman was one of the special guests.By the third day, everyone seemed to have got onto a spiritual high, and I was ever convinced that this is where I belong. The church of Jesus Christ. This year we are boldly declaring that there is no other name other than the name of Jesus Christ. I am ever convicted that this is where my future belongs too. Gives my heart a warm fuzzy feeling!
Coincidentally Carl Lentz preached on Psalm 23 of the Lord being our good shepherd, right after my experience at Spillers Farm! Well, actually no it's not a coincidence I say. I think God is telling me something here!
We were also taught that decisions made today would affect our generations to come (so please make them wisely with divine wisdom!). There were some good leadership pointers given by Brian Houston. I could barely write them down fast enough and kept nodding in my spirit.
We were taught of how to step out of familiarity into the area of faith, and if we do what God has taught us to do, we will flourish in it. We were taught not to compare our lives with others around us, because each of us have a different purpose in life so there is no point being a "but me" person. Being a constant negative person just drains the energy out of people around us. And I was reminded about what I feel very strongly about - surround yourself with people that would grow you, motivate you to do better. It was said that you would seldom rise up higher in life than the 5 most prominent voices you listen to. So if you want to see your future, look at who you do life with. Friends are so important because they determine your future - and I cannot agree more. Harsh as it may sound, it is important to do a "friend pruning" process if you feel that you are constantly drained by certain friends. True, we love everyone because that is what we are called to do, but who we surround to live alongside us are very important. Gosh I scribbled so much notes I think I need to sit down and digest them slowly.
We were also taught on leadership in church which I thought would also apply to leadership outside church. The mandate for conference is to equip churches and this is such an important and helpful topic.
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| Brian Houston leading us in prayer |
Seriously the Houston's 30 years of relentless, faithful servanthood has brought Hillsong Church to what it is today. It shows how being a faithful pair of hands and feet for Jesus Christ can take you. I pray that I continue to stay in the path of where God has called me to be, to be the light of the world and influence many to Him.
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| No Other Name in other languages |
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| At the legendary O2 Arena where it was held |
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| So glad to spend this year's conference with Cin |
Some of my favourite quotes which I wrote down in my sermon book:
"To step into your blessing, you need to step out of your security/ familiarity" -- Craig Goschel
(In a crisis) "You have to respond and not react. It is always so much better to respond and not react on how you feel." -- Brian Houston
(In a crisis) "Dare to be human. But that does not mean to be pitiful. It's a thin line separating the two." -- Brian Houston
(On life) "You might be one relationship away from changing the path of your destiny. So keep on building and expanding your connections." -- Craig Goschel
(On who to surround yourself with) "People seldom rise up higher than the top 5 dominant voices in their lives. Who are you allowing to be the top dominant voices in your life?" -- Craig Goschel
(On life) "Find somebody 4-5 steps ahead of you in life and learn how they think. Ask questions. Learn how they work through people" -- Craig Goschel
(On church building) "Delegate in a way that it creates leaders, and not followers. Telling it can get you to the top but only character will keep you there. A good leader initiates rather than respond." -- Craig Goschel
"Check for spiritual leaks. If your jar has a hole at the bottom, it would never contain all the valuable stuff which God has meant for you to keep." -- Craig Goschel
"Do not substitute church with God. Are you a full time pastor and a part time follower of Christ?" -- Craig Goschel
"You are only as strong as you are honest." -- Craig Goschel
"Contradiction is the catalyst for change. If you see/ place Jesus on your own terms, you would always see Him with what you want, and there is no room for Him to contradict or change you. You see who you want Him to be." -- Robert Madu
Here's leaving you with some of my favourite songs from the latest album "No Other Name". I think I have heard the album like 30 times. Still loving it!
Calvary
This I Believe (The Creed)
Broken Vessels (Amazing Grace)
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