Youthwork the Conference (Day 2, part 1)

Wow it was windy this morning as i ambled along the sea front back towards the conference centre (video has been removed because it seems to start all the time even when its not the latest post and that is far too annoying. The video is here instead now). I love having that chance to walk first thing in the morning especially by the sea. I like my 15 min walk to the office each day, if only i could move the sea there.

Rob was straight into it this morning as we explored Sabbath, boundaries and various other classics that come up at these type of gatherings. The main thing today that has been taking up my headspace has been a nagging question.

What has God called me to? What is his/my vision?

There's a lot of stuff caught up in this for me, personally and theologically. I find it hard to nail down one thing but i have a sense that i need to work through again my calling and then re-focus ensuring that i don't spread myself too thinly.

This probably sounds more worrying and extreme than it is. I don't have doubts about my calling into Youth Ministry at this time, it's more about making sure that my time is spent in the right areas and perhaps that there are others who should be doing other things.

Well it's the end of the full timers mini conference and as i sit drinking my coffee i can see the swell of people arriving for the main event. I managed to fill 19 pages of my note pad and i only took notes in 2 and a half of Rob's sessions as there was quite a lot of Q&A

Part of this Q&A should appear in Youthwork Magazine next month.

Here are a couple of quotes from Rob Bell

whilst speaking about dealing with criticism 'Bloggers are the new Pharisees'

'It's not a good time for any american to be going around the world telling anyone how to do anything'

'If the bible was a movie, most Christians wouldn't watch it'