David Ralph

I am nearing the finish line of what has been a very thought provoking but also very affirming week.  As I have talked with dozen of pastors from around the world and from parts of Canada I realize how blessed I am to be part of a church community like Lakeside.   The thought provoking parts are all about the way the church has changed and must continue to change to help people find a personal friendship with Jesus and then to grow and deepen that relationship.  The way we did church 20 years ago when Lakeside was started has changed and will continue to change while all the time we cling to the mission that God has given us and the message that he has called us to share with our world – both of which must never change.   As presenter after presenter shared their material my mind continued to turn towards Lakeside asking one of two questions.  The first is about how this would apply to Lakeside – how could it make a difference in helping us reach our mission.  The second is about how well we are doing in this area.  I have found many applications to some of the things I have heard but I also have found that many of what speakers are describing we are already doing at Lakeside and have been for a while – which was very encouraging.

Tomorrow will be a day spent with a church leader that I respect as much as any that I know – Bill Hybels.  I look forward to what Bill has to say.  I have always found him to be very thought provoking and challenging.  It will be one more full day but at the end I know that there might be some applications to Lakeside but I also know that it will affirm that we are doing many of the things that it takes to achieve the mission that God has called us to.  I am so looking forward to tomorrow.  I just hope my brain can handle one more day of enormous amounts of information and insight.