It’s Personal. Very.

Before we know it, this colder weather will begin to transition yet again and Spring will be upon us. There are many reasons why I enjoy Spring, but some of you know one of the main reasons. Every Spring, I grow tremendously.

It all began about ten year ago. There I was enjoying life, having a blast with friends, family and building new relationships along the way. I had no clue that my passion for people would collide with thousands of others that shared that passion. I entered an arena and I will forever be grateful I did. Nothing has been the same ever sense. What began as a way of life, because of my upbringing, became a calling because of my faith.

I grew up in a unique community where everyone took responsibility for each other. Twenty houses or so were filled with people who felt a sense of family regardless of bloodline. A diverse group of people collectively made it personal – what’s mine is yours and vice versa. All of the kids had parents everywhere. We did not only honor our fathers and mothers, but any elder was respected.

If we behaved, anyone would celebrate us. And if we misbehaved, anyone would discipline us. If we needed anything, we could knock on a neighbor’s door and find it. Unique indeed…and even more so now. My family still lives there and I cherish every visit.

Ten years ago, my unique sense of community forcefully collided with my faith at The Orange Conference. Every Spring, the conference furthers much of what you see now – an intentional approach to establishing and maintaining relationships aka The INgage Lifestyle. I like to make every encounter meaningful and I take every encounter personal. This year’s theme at the Orange Conference is, It’s Personal.

Make It Personal is one of the five Lead Small big ideas that every small group leader needs to know. I highly recommend reading the book. It is remarkable. Making it personal inspires the faith of our kids and students by the examples we set. As you know, kids generally follow how we live, not necessarily what we say. Though Make It Personal is usually focused on when training Small Group Leaders, I think the conference will encourage a more ministry-wide approach. I cannot wait to experience it!

Interested in joining me? Registration opens October 19th! Mark your calendars!

Until next time…