About 4 years ago, a mutual friend drove me downtown because I "had to meet this guy" who was launching churches along metro stops throughout DC. I became a big fan of Mark Batterson right away, and started a friendship that has blessed me bigtime through the years. When our church needed outdoor signs, Mark bought all of them for us. When he couldn't attend a leadership roundtable with some bigwigs, he sent me in his place... And when Mark had an open slot on a staff trip to the Catalyst Conference, Mark invited me along. He even gave me spending money. Unbelievable. But the experience changed me and it convinced me to never attend conferences alone. The investment in your team... the people around you... is worth it.
Photo on right is the team I took to Catalyst one year later, goofing off at the Waffle House, which is actually a strange concept here in the north.
I've come to realize through the years that association is so important. God brings strategic relationships into our lives to grow and develop us into better leaders.
As Deut. 32:30 reminds us, One can put a thousand to flight but two can put ten thousand to flight.
Brad Ruggles
www.bradruggles.com
Posted by: Brad Ruggles | January 28, 2008 at 06:05 PM
Waffle House a strange concept? lol...I prefer IHOP myself. :)
I'm hoping to go to a conference Mark is speaking at in March. It's the Innovative Impact i2conference in The Woodlands, Houston. However, I'll likely make the conference alone. We're brand new in our church plant so no one to take with me, yet. :| Wanna go? ;)
If you do, can you spare me some spending money, lol!
Posted by: Shannon Lewis | January 28, 2008 at 08:26 PM
Ben you are taking off dude. It is so encouraging to see all that God is doing around you and through you.
Posted by: brooks | January 29, 2008 at 12:14 AM
It is those kind of relationships that help us reach the next level. I long for that. I am trying to get my church to send me to Whiteboard. I am not on staff, just a "high capacity volunteer".
Chris
Posted by: Chris Saulnier | January 29, 2008 at 01:05 PM
Chris, I hope they bless you with it...
Posted by: Ben Arment | January 29, 2008 at 02:50 PM