History in the Making

The 'Why' Behind the WiBo Speakers, pt 8

Five years ago, a nearby pastor-friend told me I needed to meet Mark Batterson. This was long before his blog. So my buddy drove me down to NCC's rowhouse office in DC [again, long before Ebeneezer's] to meet the crew that was making waves in the church world. No idea who Mark was, but he had more ecclectic books than I'd ever seen in any pastor's office... not to mention the coolest phone before the iPhone. =)

Mark spoke with passion about their vision ~ to multiply church campuses in movie theaters and metro stops all over DC. He mentioned the idea of a coffeehouse, book ideas, web innovations. I'd never seen anyone have such clarity on God's vision and such assurance that it would happen. What's even more amazing is that for the next four years, I got to watch it all become reality.

Mark took me to my first Catalyst Conference with his staff and even gave me spending money. He purchased all the signage for our church's own launch in a movie theater, and became one of the biggest givers to our One Hundred Project to raise $25,000 in 6 weeks. (In fact, many NCC attenders gave too!)

And now, he's speaking at Whiteboard for me ~ in fact, he was the first to sign-on. But enough gushing...

Muxtape of the WiBo Soundtrack

And the MUXTAPE of the WiBo Hotel Soundtrack:

Whiteboard Hotel Soundtrack

Before our DJ from ATL came on-board, I asked pastor and music aficionado Steve McCoy to help me create a soundtrack for WiBo's unique environment at the Reston Hyatt. Although Steve's a great pastor and blogger, I think he would make an exceptional vibe director at any Hard Rock Hotel. Each of these songs has a piece of Whiteboard in them, from the romantic hotel ambiance [for those bringing spouses =]... to Vince Antonucci's Lousy T-Shirt book... to the northern Virginia traffic... and a tip of the hat to Mark Dever. Here's the iMix on iTunes as the T-minus-7-day event approacheth.

The 'Why' Behind the WiBo Speakers, pt 7

I plan to blog a behind-the-scenes look at WiBo after the event is over. You wouldn't believe the stories that went into the making of Whiteboard. But first, another 'Why' behind the speakers...

From an outsider's perspective, Granger Community Church's approach had always looked uncomfortably edgy to me, even over-the-top. I admit, I'd built-up some biases. But when I heard Tim Stevens speak at Buzz Conference a few years ago, I saw the huge heart behind what they did. It was the same compassion that prompted God's incarnational, culture-leaping plan to redeem me.

Tim made me a believer in culturally relevant churches. Since then, we've shared a solid blog-friendship. I knew at the outset of plannig WiBo that Tim was a "must get." He just released his terrific book Pop Goes The Church and from what I hear... has a killer presentation lined-up.

The 'Why' Behind the WiBo Speakers, pt 6

I couldn't miss Vince Antonucci while living in Virginia Beach. He ran radical church ads on the biggest secular radio stations in Hampton Roads. They made you laugh; they made you uncomfortable; they made you realize this guy's church was anything but typical. It was a church for people who hate church.

I was home on Christmas break when I did recon on his service several years ago. Vince wasn't there, but I was amazed at the road signs that led attenders from miles away... right to their high school location. I was amazed at the kind of people sitting around me in the service. It smelled like beer.

There aren't many churches that are reaching people this far from God. You can argue that church should be for Christians, but there are scores of new believers in Vince's church who will be eternally grateful ~ literally ~ that someone cared enough to make church about them. I've read Vince's talk for Whiteboard, and it will... it will... rock you.

More Everything Whiteboard

Okay, off the top of my head...

• Yes, the guys at Churchy Media will be shooting a high-def DVD of Whiteboard, which will be available for orders at the event.
• The WiBo tees just arrived at my office, and they look su-weeet. Ains already commandeered one for herself.
• Terrace Crawford announced a bloggers lunch at Uno's Pizza in Reston Town Center on the day of Whiteboard. Already, 23 of the 50 seats have been filled...
• Nate Peregoy just sent me a link to this amazing whiteboard product: the flexible whiteboard! Nice...
• Okay, not WiBo, but did anyone else know that Brad Abare of Church Marketing Sucks has had his own blog since December 2003? Whaaa?
• So far, WiBo's ConferenceChannel.org is generating great buzz. Too bad all of the excited people will actually be at the event! =)
• Had a great chat with Jay Hardwick's wife Lara Beth this morning ~ as she's running registration for WiBo. I think I've discovered the secret to why Jay is so successful.
• Speaking of wives, my own Ainsley has cooked-up an amazing lunch for women at Paolo's restaurant on the day of Whiteboard. Still not too late to sign-up...
• I get to work with some of my dear friends at RCC on WiBo. Even a few college students home for summer have e-mailed to offer their help. Love that church...

Announcing a Window into Whiteboard

Whiteboard is going to be a like big social networking party among leaders. But... Todd Wilson of Passion For Planting has created an incredible web portal for people to experience the event virtually. He's lauching ConferenceChannel.org, with Whiteboard as the premiere event... Twitter feeds, live video, blog feeds, you name it.

List of Bloggers at WiBo

Terrace Crawford has listed some bloggers coming to Whiteboard... not all of them... but man, this is a who's who if I've ever seen one.

Gathering for Leaders' Leaders

Will Mancini, author of the book Church Unique and founder of Auxono registered for WiBo the other day. I'm continually amazed at the caliber of leaders coming to this gathering...

Whiteboard at Whiteboard after all

Okay, I'm putting an actual whiteboard back into the event. Jeff Shinabarger busted my chops about not having one, so I called my talented friend Shawn who designs for NAMB and asked him to do "live illustrations" on a whiteboard during each speaker's talk. I was blown away by some graphical notes he took at an event many months ago and thought they'd be great on a whiteboard. Well, he's on-board, so prepare for the crazy madness.

The 'Why' Behind the WiBo Speakers, pt 5

I read No Perfect People Allowed just like everybody else and marveled. How gutsy of a pastor to not only call-out the elephant in the room, but to build stalls for more elephants to come in and get comfortable...

John Burke just stripped all the religion right off Jesus and built a church around him.

I first met John at a meeting with a consortium of pastors in Centreville, Va - big-time pastors all coming together to start high-capacity church plants. When introduced to me, he thought a moment and then asked, "Doesn't Mark Batterson live around here?" (blog + dc - ben = mark batterson. =)

But I loved hearing John talk and sensed a truly genuine heart in this guy. John neeeeds to speak at events like WiBo because there's an eager audience of young leaders who won't travel up to Willow to hear him speak amid the mime and flag waving workshops. =)

Anyway, he's going to be a highlight of the event. Very sharp guy.

The 'Why' Behind the WiBo Speakers, pt 4

I used to think Ed Stetzer was one of the most sarcastic people I'd ever met. But now that I've grown to know him a bit through e-mail exchanges, I KNOW he's one of the most sarcastic people I've ever met. =) Seriously, God has put a great head on this man's shoulders, and he's using it for the betterment of the Gospel and the Church.

Ed was, by far, the hardest "get" for Whiteboard. He went a few rounds with me before finally agreeing to come on-board. In fact, I was announcing the other speakers long before he committed. But this event needs Ed. He's the hub of an 8-spoke wheel. He's an ambassador and spokesman to each of the ministry tribes represented at WiBo, but they've never all been on the same stage at once. Ed will conclude the day...

The 'Why' Behind the WiBo Speakers, pt 3

Whiteboard taps into so many ministry circles that it wouldn't be complete without Acts 29 representin'. Darrin Patrick is Vice President of the organization and an amazing church planter in his own right. I've actually never heard him speak live, but Darrin's writings are some of the most thoughtful and engaging in the church world today.

Of all the WiBo speakers, Darrin has drawn the most lighting for his church's outreach in a bar. We've actually gotten calls on it from angry people in Missouri. But anyone who gets heat for doing the same thing Jesus did is fine in my book.

Darrin is the only WiBo speaker I haven't actually had any personal interaction with... so I'm looking forward to meeting him.

It's Like the 9th Speaker at Whiteboard

More shots of Whiteboard's location in Reston Town Center

The 'Why' Behind the WiBo Speakers, pt 2

You can't live in DC without hearing the name Mark Dever. He's the pastor known for his Cambridge-trained intellect, his historical understanding of the church, and his unrelenting boldness. I got the chance to meet Mark through my friend Mike McKinley who served as a pastoral assistant at Capitol Hill Baptist.

Mark invited me to drop-by a staff meeting before having lunch, which was a remarkable experience. Almost 20 young men sitting around his office, listening intently, answering questions on-the-spot, and thinking deeply. Very rabbinical. It was like sitting in Thomas Jefferson's office at Monticello with eager young University students gathered round.

Mark is the founder of T4G and author of numerous books. He rejects the idea multiple church services; shuns cultural relevance; and elevates church membership. Yet he is a passionate evangelist and an extremely likeable man... though a contrarian. In fact, Mark is such a contrarian that he even ruffles the feathers of people who think they've come to believe everything he does. Gotta love him.

The 'Why' Behind the WiBo Speakers, pt 1

Last year, I was privileged to join a small group of pastors at Craig Groeschel's home in OKC for two days of learning. I was the riff-raff of the bunch, totally out of my league. But I assumed God had a big reason for it, so  I embraced my Moses moment and went for it. =) Anyway, I got two days of playing 'Jane Goodall' to some of the most influential pastors in they country... Perry Noble included.

You'd expect Perry to be the kind of guy who would control a room by the sheer force of his personality, dim the light-bulbs with his charisma, and charm everyone with his sense of humor... all of which he's got in supernatural supply. But I was amazed... I saw Perry asking questions, taking notes, and soaking up wisdom from other leaders. He struck me as one of the most humble but passionate leaders I've ever met.

Whiteboard's Setting

I haven't posted a good Reston Town Center photo in a while. Got this stunning night shot off adegen's Flickr site.

We traded the theme for crispy and cream

So here's a little Whiteboard inside info... It was going to cost an ungodly amount of money to have actual whiteboards at the Hyatt for interactive decor. Nice touch, but just too much for doodling. Instead, we're providing free pastries in the morning and scrumptuous ice cream sandwiches in the afternoon. So this means there won't actually be a whiteboard at Whiteboard... How will you ever forgive us? How bout a donut?

There are over 700 people registered so far at WiBo with 3 weeks to go, 36 states represented. This includes tons of interesting leaders -- from Chris Elrod, Tony Morgan, Scott Hodge, Carlos Whittaker, Church Marketing Sucks founder Brad Abare, Brad Lomenick, and Ron Sylvia... to churches like Northland, Seacoast, Willow Creek, and Buckhead... to people like Stephen Brewster - marketing head at Integrity Music, Bethany Hoang - director of International Justice Mission's Insititute, Micah Watson of The Micah Watson Band... to the entire staffs of the speakers. This has been such a God-thing... and it's on.

Final registrations start today.

Fine Dining for the Ladies at Whiteboard

I don't take Ainsley out to enough nice restaurants. Mostly Chipotle, Chick-Fil-A and Tropical Smoothie. So I'm giving her my credit card on May 22 to treat herself to the exclusive Paolo's in Reston Town Center for lunch on the day of Whiteboard.

Best thing is... she's planning for your wife too. She's secured a private dining room, created a special menu, and put together an amazing gift bag that was sponsored by Integrity Music. Women from all over the country are coming to the affair, and Vince Antonucci's wife Jen is speaking.

Even better, Ainsley's giving away a free ticket to any gal who will volunteer with her during registration from 7:30 to 9:30 am. Just a dozen or so seats left, so register [here]!

Final Whiteboard Discount Ends Wednesday Midnight

The gorgeous Reston Town Center from above