For the last two days I have been in Atlanta, GA for the Velocity14 church planting conference. Last week I wrote about what I was looking forward to. Below are a few of my reflections and take aways from Velocity14.

The theme of Velocity14 was PACE. My core take away is from Shawn Lovejoy. He said “Winning requires running the right race at the right pace.” Everything else revolves around this theme.

CORE TAKE AWAYS
In the first main session Shawn Lovejoy challenged all 800+ attendees to write 1, 2, 3. Then, throughout the conference to write down three specific next steps. Here are mine:

1. William Vanderbloemen (@wvanderbloemen) is the founder and CEO of the Vanderbloemen Search Group. His challenge was to take the first 30 minutes of each day to listen to the Shepherd’s voice. Do this for the next 30 days. Feeling the noise of too many voices, I am taking that challenge. I commit to spend time in prayer and reading God’s Word before looking at or listening to anything else.

2. Aubrey Malphurs (@amalphurs) teaches at Dallas Theological Seminary and founder of The Malphurs Group. In his pre-conference session on Leadership he challenged us to clarify our leadership development process in writing. I am going to work on that one day every week for the next month.

3. Derwin Gray (@DerwinLGray) is the founder and lead pastor of Transformation Church. In his breakout session on vision he talked about how to grow as a vision-caster. In the next six months I will spend part of my personal retreat day clarifying God’s vision for my life and ministry.

Here are a few main session and breakout highlights…

Dave Ferguson (@daveferguson)
In his main session Dave asked, “How do we lead a reproducible and sustainable life? Based on Jesus’ example from Luke 2:52 he created 4 gauges. Dave challenged us to evaluate these areas regularly/daily:

1. Relational – always have time for your kids. “If you blow it at home you’ve blown it!”
2. Physical – rest/refreshing, exercise & diet
3. Mental – read, doubt, explore new ideas & dream
4. Spiritual – relationship with God, the church, and the world

Shawn Lovejoy

• “Too many pastors want the fame of game day without the pain of training.”
• “You’re not winning because you’re not training and disciplining yourself to win!”
• “Train now win later!”
• “Winning requires running the right race at the right pace.”
• “Do I trust God enough to run at His pace? Be the best you, faithfully!”

Jeff Vanderstelt (@JeffVanderstelt)

• “It’s a big mistake to try to go and DO incarnational ministry without the work of the Holy Spirit.”
• “Do not lead your church in such a way so that your people don’t need the power of God!”

Derwin Gray (@DerwinLGray)

• “Talking about “I’m going to plant a church!” Huh! Jesus already planted His church 2000 years ago!”
• How do we keep up with the pace of grace? (Phil 3:7-11)
  1. “Unceasing worship! Is your ministry worth less than Jesus?”
  2. “Identify our idols. Name them and build walls and boundaries.”
  3. “Need to be the CEO of our own spiritual health.”

Shawn Lovejoy & Blake Stanley (@blake_stanley) – Breakout session 3 “Simple Systems That Work”

1. Think cyclical not linear:  there are multiple entry points into your ministry.
2. Create simple steps: Make easy on ramps.

Breakout Session 4 – Mark Batterson (@MarkBatterson)

• “Wise men come bearing gifts – give generously”
• “There are ways of doing church no one has thought of”

7 lessons learned

1. Enjoy the journey
2. Get a life
3. Was trying to be a pastor but not I’m trying to be myself
4. Think long
5. Don’t let your budget determine your vision – dream beyond your abilities and resources
6. Offend Pharisees – you’re going to offend someone right!
7. Curse barren “fig trees”
8. BONUS: Your primary ministry is not people, it’s to God!

My soul was deeply refreshed and newly challenged. There were many divine appointments. New friends were made. Many challenges taken.

THANK YOU Velocity14 and Mountain Lake Church for an a great experience!