AMFM Conference-General Session 1
I had the privilege of attending the Association of Marriage and Family Ministry (AMFM) Conference in Dallas on June 20-23, 2011. The conference began on Monday night with Date Night Dallas featuring Tim Hawkins. I have seen Tim several times and he did not disappoint. It was nice to laugh after a 6 hour drive.
The actual conference began on Tuesday morning. Our first general session speaker was Bishop Joseph Walker. He talked about the change needed in the culture and did that by sharing 5 points. His first point was that people need a clear vision. Our world need to see that relationships have a purpose. He shared the illustration about a quarterback and receiver. A quarterback is throwing where the receiver is to be not where he is currently. He shared that our culture is like the defensive back who tries to give a hard hit at line of scrimmage to throw the receiver off his timing. This hit keeps the receiver from reaching his purpose which is to catch the ball. He said the same is true of our relationships that the world gives us hit and many times we never get to our destination because we don't know where we are to be going.
His second point was understand the attack. He shared that we have a cultural cynicism in regards to marriage. We are so focused on "right now" that we don't think about the consequences of our present actions. He challenged the church to properly understand marriage and be ready to respond to culture and negative views that are readily available.
His third point was we need to develop ministries that matter. The church should be seen as a transformation station. The areas we cannot control (abuse, failed relationships, etc.) can and should enter the church where people experience changed relationships. But for this to happen we have to be the church not just talk about it.
His fourth point was we need to have relevant teaching. Our teaching should speak to the 4 stages of relationships he described. They are: 1) ecstasy, 2) reality, 3) challenge, & 4) maturity. He referenced the story in the Bible from Exodus 18:2-4.
He closed with his last point which is we need to be sharing our stories. He shared his personal story of losing his first wife and how he became single again and how eventually he was remarried. He was honest and vulnerable to share his struggles and hurts and challenged us to do the same. One quote he shared was, "In isolation, the Devil begins interrogation." We need to be in community and those outside the church want community as well. He reminded us as he left the stage that "God Restores."
Check back tomorrow for highlights from the first day of workshops.
The actual conference began on Tuesday morning. Our first general session speaker was Bishop Joseph Walker. He talked about the change needed in the culture and did that by sharing 5 points. His first point was that people need a clear vision. Our world need to see that relationships have a purpose. He shared the illustration about a quarterback and receiver. A quarterback is throwing where the receiver is to be not where he is currently. He shared that our culture is like the defensive back who tries to give a hard hit at line of scrimmage to throw the receiver off his timing. This hit keeps the receiver from reaching his purpose which is to catch the ball. He said the same is true of our relationships that the world gives us hit and many times we never get to our destination because we don't know where we are to be going.
His second point was understand the attack. He shared that we have a cultural cynicism in regards to marriage. We are so focused on "right now" that we don't think about the consequences of our present actions. He challenged the church to properly understand marriage and be ready to respond to culture and negative views that are readily available.
His third point was we need to develop ministries that matter. The church should be seen as a transformation station. The areas we cannot control (abuse, failed relationships, etc.) can and should enter the church where people experience changed relationships. But for this to happen we have to be the church not just talk about it.
His fourth point was we need to have relevant teaching. Our teaching should speak to the 4 stages of relationships he described. They are: 1) ecstasy, 2) reality, 3) challenge, & 4) maturity. He referenced the story in the Bible from Exodus 18:2-4.
He closed with his last point which is we need to be sharing our stories. He shared his personal story of losing his first wife and how he became single again and how eventually he was remarried. He was honest and vulnerable to share his struggles and hurts and challenged us to do the same. One quote he shared was, "In isolation, the Devil begins interrogation." We need to be in community and those outside the church want community as well. He reminded us as he left the stage that "God Restores."
Check back tomorrow for highlights from the first day of workshops.
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