My notes from Origins

For those who weren’t able to attend, I wanted to post some key thoughts/notes/observations from the Origins conference.  I am sure someone live-blogged this somewhere much more eloquently, but alas, here are my notes:

Session 1:  Momentum
Scripture Reference:  Acts Chapter 2
The Church was designed to be a movement of Dreamers and Visionaries
 

People in bondage lose their dreams…in Acts God was encouraging the Church who knew such a history to dream anew.
 

Life is messy…we need more chaos and movement to make us more dependent on God.
 

Ethos: (definition)  Invisible environment shaped by core values.
 

Language informs culture…carefully choose the language you use in your community.
 

The role of Spiritual Leadership isn’t to feed…it is to create spiritual hunger.
 

When Jesus spoke to Peter saying “feed My sheep� He was speaking of those who have never eaten…not believers. (John 21)
 

When Jesus spoke of making disciples in Matthew 28 He was speaking about seekers, not discipleship of believers…we are to show God to those who have never seen Him.
 

Session 2:  Change
People outside the church should be the ones to decide whether we are the church or not.
 

Jesus didn’t die for a religion or an institution, but for a movement.
God can use anyone, anywhere, anytime to reach people.  People are desperately searching for God, but they do not see Him at work in the church.
 

Creating a culture of leadership development:  a church that values innovation and a culture of change at the core dynamic will draw innovators.
 

Language is important, so develop it.
Who are the heroes of our culture?  This is an important question because it reveals core values.
 

We have all we need:  we just don’t need enough.
 

How do we create a community that provides what the world needs?  This should be our question.
 

Adults learn in crisis…think about it.  Part of Spiritual Leadership is creating a crisis for those we lead. 
 

The Bible is filled with words that are synonyms for change:  sanctification, repentance, redemption, salvation, reconciliation…How can everyone in the church be changing and the church not change?

Creativity is the natural result of spirituality.  Following Jesus is not about eliminating sin, it is about unleashing your God-given potential. 

Creativity and Artistry are not the same.

In Ecclesiastes 1 Solomon says there is nothing new under the sun.  Do we agree?  No.  Isaiah 43 says God is doing a new thing…will I perceive it? The greatest evidence of God’s work in my life is creativity.
 

Imagination is the evidence of God in us.
Erwin on Character and Strengths…
Jesus’ imagination was vast in light of His command to “take the world�.  In an age where people had to walk everywhere and there was no mail, no internet…imagine!
Scripture reference:  Psalm 73
Gratitude nurtures wholeness.

Self-understanding is not a critical element for moving into wholeness…neither is theology or Bible knowledge.  Gratitude is the critical link to wholeness.  Build your life around it. 

Humility Produces Integrity
Reconcile the fact that we are gifted to glorify God and yet we claim only God can do that through us…God wants to bless us by allowing us to join with Him.  He is glorified in our using our gifts.  It is okay to shine for Him.

Gratitude nurtures wholeness.  Self-understanding is not a critical element for moving into wholeness…neither is theology or Bible knowledge.  Gratitude is the critical link to wholeness.  Build your life around it. 

Humility Produces Integrity We don’t need to pray for humility.  We need to pursue it by doing humble things, by taking on the posture of a servant.  Humility is a practice.

Faithfulness develops perseverance

Talent and Character must be balanced for healthy leadership, with character being the primary concern.  When we begin to see others in terms of talent we are treating them as disposable. 

Wisdom is about living in the present from the future.  It is about seeing in advance the reap of our sow. 

Everything God has made has integrity.  Think of a simple piece of fruit.  We don’t have to peel it to trust what is inside…why?…because of integrity.

To come into wholeness we need to:

• Get free from our past through forgiveness
• Practice the habit of gratitude and servant hood

 That’s all I have for now.  

Peace,

Kristin