If I were to organize a conference...
After having attended tons of conferences, it's getting more and more difficult to justify the time away. There's not much fresh thinking coming out of the church planting world right now, and I can easily refuel with the 80 or so podcasts loaded into my iPhone on regular rotation. So I've been dreaming about what a conference would look like if I were to design one...
I'd call it The Whiteboard Sessions
One day.
8 influential ministry leaders.
Each with 30 minutes...
and one compelling idea.
Hey Ben...
Been following your blog for a few months. Appreciate your authenticity!
LOVE the idea...DO IT!!!
Posted by: Sam | November 01, 2007 at 11:29 AM
I love it, I am tired of all of the "entertaining" stuff that simply fills time at most conferences.
Posted by: Chris S. | November 01, 2007 at 12:15 PM
Hey Ben -
I haven't left a comment on here before, but I've been reading your blog for a couple of months now.
What you're describing sounds pretty similar to the "Q Conference" put on by the Fermi Project.
http://www.fermiproject.com/q/
Presenters have 18 minutes (with a countdown clock timing them) to present one idea that they're currently thinking about. It sounds pretty interesting.
Anyways, thought I'd pass it along if you haven't heard about it yet.
Posted by: Mike G | November 01, 2007 at 01:00 PM
Keep commenting if you think its good idea, just might do it if i can get enough groundswell. As far as I can tell Q is a cop of the TED conference whose format I am unapologetically a fan of. Id just rather hear from a planter or a pastor than say a cellist. :)
Posted by: Ben Arment | November 01, 2007 at 01:30 PM
Time for Q & A?
Posted by: paul peterson | November 01, 2007 at 02:33 PM
Ben,
What podcasts do you listen to?
Posted by: paul peterson | November 01, 2007 at 02:34 PM
Yeah, I was going to say this looks like the TED conference, which is very cool.
Posted by: Brett Harkey | November 01, 2007 at 02:53 PM
and you're waiting for...????
Fresh thinkers need to get their fresh ideas out to the masses...go for it! I dare you :)
Posted by: Jim Henry | November 01, 2007 at 06:30 PM
Ben,
Just got caught up via bloglines.
I love the idea. I'd attend for sure.
Even if the conference only had 50-100 in attendance this would be worth it. In fact at under 100 guests the possibility for questions (SMS, email or otherwise) would exist.
Posted by: Tally Wilgis | November 02, 2007 at 03:27 PM
I wish we had more conference opportunities here in the North East. It's really been on my heart. Not to mention that 9 out of 10 times guys from this area of the country have to fly south for the winter.
Posted by: Jumaine | November 03, 2007 at 06:34 PM
Ben, you never responded to paul peterson's request. I too would be interested in knowing what podcast you listen to. It may be hard to list all 80, but a top 10 or 20 would be cool. Thanks.
Posted by: perrin | November 20, 2007 at 11:17 PM
here's my running list:
garrison keillor
this american life
aletheia church
newspring church
elevation church
apex community church
liberty university convocations
ed young jr
forefront church
NAMB church planting group
ransomed heart ministries
willow creek mid-week
other... jerry seinfeld's comedy album and always a book on mp3... currently 'The E-Myth' =)
Posted by: Ben Arment | November 21, 2007 at 09:20 AM
Ben,
I am going to try and put this on my calendar. God is putting something together that is amazing thru this conference.
Mike Ellis
Church for Men
Posted by: Mike Ellis, Church For Men Florida | December 12, 2007 at 09:49 AM