Notes from HD Conference

I had hoped to blog last week during the HD Conference at FBC Woodstock but was unable to get a wireless connection at the event and our group's hotel had connectivity issues as well (also hot water issues but that is another story). I regret the delay in posting some thoughts from the conference. Following are some notes and quotes from the event that caught my attention:

Johnny Hunt, Pastor of First Baptist Woodstock, challenged those in attendance to not let their passion for ministry dwindle by allowing "something precious to become familiar". He encouraged the group to "stay teachable".

Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue: "People are looking for authenticity in politics and pulpits".

Allan Taylor, an Associate Pastor at FBCW, referring to growing a ministry: "To grow, you must stay small". The idea is that individual people matter not the size of the group.

There were also some breakout sessions based on age divisions. I attended the young adult sessions and here are some thoughts that came out of those sessions:
If there is no childcare, young adults will not show up;
3 main issues for young adults: commitment, childcare, cash/credit;
Leaders must choose the best not just the good;
Young adult ministry and children's ministry must work in concert.

Another session on "Tools Every Teacher Needs" was led by Jeff Young, an Associate Pastor at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas. Some notes from that session:
Incite people don't just excite them;
Teach as if something were at stake;
A disciple is one with a long obedience in the same direction.

Truett Cathy, the founder of Chick-fil-A, also spoke at the conference. I will post some notes and quotes from his talk in a later blog.