#len sweet

Why am I writing about a conference on church leadership?

And why am I writing about it at 11pm?

Because of this:

“@RickWarren: Al, the reason so many conferences are just church theory&philosophy is so few actually know HOW to DO church effectively.”

I heard A LOT of that today. One guy was passionate, but didn't care what I thought (he may not have actually meant that, but it's how it sounded).

Another talked a lot but made assumptions and taught class but I didn't recall hearing much on leadership, the second day anyway - yes I went for 2 days, they had free Krispy kremes what can I say?

I've heard the problems. I'm waiting for inspiration, vision to fix them. Not more debate about the problems in the church and the churched up answers that really convey "I don't know either, but thanks for buying a ticket and a seat to listen to me philosophize the issues."

I'm not a conference person. Though they are entertaining to go to.

Do you even know what that means?

Do you care?

The church has this habit of beating things to death. Principles, Doctrines, and people with guilt.

However, church leaders have a habit of following and beating things to death too. The church (as the institution) and all it's problems.

I was at a conference today and Len Sweet was speaking. This was a treat for reasons I'll keep to myself as I'm sure both those that hate him and love him might read this, so therefore I'm taking the typical postmodern approach and remaining neutral.

In simple terms I have a bunch of questions to make you think, but I'll leave the answers up to you.

Len Sweet had a lot to say about the dysfunction of the church, stuff I've heard by the way for about 4 years in under-grad school. As usual though, at least as of yet, no answers on what to do about it or how to fix it.

Yeah, it's broke. Today Financially and in terms of how it operates in todays culture. But it's not lost.

Len Sweet puts a time line on denominations and not the church. I agree, some denom's are headed for extinction, and some I won't miss.

But what about those that are not and the non-denoms?

How do you get the churches that are dying to see that they are dying?

How do you get them to turn or shift their focus?

How do you get a person to change or buy what you are seemingly selling?

Time? Money? Charisma? Sex? Shock and awe?

What's the formula?

I like what he is saying. But I'm not convinced that Len is such a wise sage and has no answers either.

Like one man wrote a long time ago, "there is nothing new under the sun."