J.R. Briggs

The high-water mark of my ministry year

January 17, 2012

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There are dozens hundreds of conferences out there each year for pastors and leaders to attend, but there is one that I will continue to frequent each year: The Ecclesia Network National Gathering held in Washington DC each spring. 

Each particular year I am as impressed with the interaction with friends old and new as I am with the content and speakers. It’s not a smoke-and-mirrors production with thousand of people. Instead, it is a deliberate relational space for connections and learning and encouragement. It is the high-water mark of the year for me as a pastor and church planter.

In years past we’ve had speakers such as Dallas Willard, Alan Hirsch, Mike Breen, Jon Tyson, Eddie Gibbs and Dr. Darrell Guder (I write this not as to create an impressive list in order to wow you, but to articulate the importance Ecclesia has in learning from great thinkers and practitioners in the missional-incarnational landscape).

This year’s speakers excite me just as much: Dr. Ivy Beckwith, whom I interacted with for several days at a retreat in New Mexico a few years ago and was impressed with her thoughts on the spiritual formation of children and their families, Dr. John Perkins, a true legend who has contributed immensely to the racial reconciliation and community development discussions and Dr. A.J. Swoboda, someone I don’t know well but who I am continually more and more impressed and inspired the more I read what he writes and hear what he says. (To get a picture of who A.J. is, listen to this podcast which interviews him. This brothah is thoughtful, articulate, creative, poetic and prophetic).

The National Gathering lasts three days (Monday March 5 to Wednesday March 7) and the rates are fantastic. (In fact, several people have contacted me asking if its true if the cost of the event can possibly include room and board, conference fee and meals. By the way, the answer is yes). And this year, spouses are half price so as to encourage couples to attend (my wife is thrilled to be coming with me this year).

Check out the link and consider joining me – and others.

I would love to see you there.

Consider this your invitation.

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