Engage Conference Presents Cutting-Edge Ministry
Over 300 delegates are gathered in Atlanta at the Mt. Paran Church of God for the Engage Conference under the theme, “Permission to Dream.”
Reggie McNeal addresses delegates during the Engage conference.
Powerful contemporary worship by the Stevens Creek Church worship band opened the conference accompanied by videos, light effects and a special effects percussion group. The band is based out of Augusta, Georgia, in a church pastored by Dr. Marty Baker. Four sessions led by Reggie McNeal and Leonard Sweet highlighted the first day on Thursday afternoon and evening as the noted speakers poured out their knowledge to a receptive audience which consisted of senior pastors, youth ministers, and college students. Three members of the Church of God Executive Committee of the Church of God, including general overseer Raymond Culpepper, registered for the two-day event.
Reggie McNeal, missional leadership specialist for the Leadership Network of Dallas, Texas, opened the conference. McNeal presented challenges to the young audience for an effective ministry in a fast-changing society.
“The fastest growing group of worshippers is not a denomination, but non-affiliates,” McNeal stated. “Churches today need to expand the bandwidth of what they offer. How are we going to engage a culture that is not buying what we’re selling? …It’s time to BE church better; not DO church better.” Defining a “missional” church, McNeal said it is “the people of God partnering with Him in His redemptive mission in the world.”
Stevens Creek Band leads in praise and worship at the Engage conference.
Dr. Leonard Sweet has authored more than 20 books and is founder and president of SpiritVenture Ministries. Working from four components of dreamers – followers, missionaries, “imagesmiths” and “pneumanauts” – Sweet illustrated his talks with YouTube videos. He challenged the audience stating his belief that leadership has been over-emphasized and that true and effective believers are to be followers.”
“The leadership paradigm is shifting to following,” he stated. “Maybe we have been guilty of a category mistake…maybe we’re not supposed to be leaders, but followers…of Christ….when asked what my vision is for ministry, my vision is Jesus. When He is my vision, that’s about all I can handle!”
During the sessions delegates were encouraged to log on to their Twitter accounts and post live tweets and questions for a later Q&A session. As the speakers were making their presentations, live Google searches were being projected, performing such tasks as “Googling” words, terms and facts.
Engage continued into Friday, April 23 with more than 20 guest speakers who presented during three breakout sessions. The conference was to be concluded with a session of challenge and communion led by General Overseer Culpepper.
Highlights of Engage are happening live on Twitter. Find out more by visiting www.engageconference.net.
