WFX Charlotte Wrap-Up
October 29, 2009 by Jeff VanderGiessen
I am just getting back from my trip to wfx charlotte where I had the privilege of participating in leading several of the conference sessions, meeting with many churches, and catching up with old friends while making an overwhelming amount of new ones. I want to take the opportunity while this event is still fresh in my mind to share the 5 thoughts and reactions I walked away with.
WFX is a must. If for nothing else, to take a few days to connect with other people from around the nation and share what Jesus is doing in our churches. There are so many brilliant men and women that join together at this event and anyone that thinks they are too good for this event is sorely mistaken.
Unity. The entire event had a vibe similar to a family reunion, from catching up with friends that I normally only talk with via twitter to meeting new people, and immediately having unity around our shared desire to see more people come to know Jesus through the use of technology.
The speakers were top notch. From what I am told there has been a shift in the speaker line-up methodology – less manufacture reps talking about their equipment and more people who are actually in the trenches of church ministry talking about their experiences. All the speakers were accessible and simply there to love and serve other churches. All the speakers that I engaged with were completely transparent about where they were at, the challenges they faced, the mistakes they have made. I went away challenged in several areas and it’s nice to simply know that I am not the only person that doesn’t have everything figured out yet.
Technologists not into technology? This was kind of weird. I met way too many people that just wanted the answer book. People who simply wanted model numbers and clearly had no intention or desire to really learn our trade. People who scoff at the idea of twitter and facebook? It was clear that some people are trying to use technology as a means to an end in and of itself. It is my prayer that people may see beyond the technology and get on mission, on mission to make disciples of Jesus. If technology can help them do this then great, but if it is in the way, then throw technology in the garbage.
It is all about Jesus. Technology is worthless if it doesn’t point people to Jesus. What does your church do really well and how are you seeing people come to know Jesus? Let’s use technology to support those things.
Great Thoughts Jeff! And dittos all around… It was great to connect at WFX. I’m looking forward to the next time we can all meet up. Hopefully sooner than later.
Wow man, what a great great conference. I had you as leader in one of my classes…don’t remember which right off lol, but I know it was good! I had never heard of the WFX before a week ago. I won my tix thx to the ChurchSoundGuy on Twitter RT about it. God was definitely in the workings of that!
For me my tech responsibilities at my church fell into my hands. Our main a guy, an old radio eng. left the church leaving me as the one who knows the 2nd most about our setup…which is NOT complicated by any means. I think this conference though, which I thought would be more technical than the classes I chose was. But I’m elated about all I did learn. Jason Widney was amazing in helping paint the picture and so techniques for stage set up. Our church is rather traditional but I think I can take what I learned about set design from him and others and apply some small touches to make the environment a more worshipful one at the right times.
I think that’s the biggest thing I took from the conference. It has made me take hold of my position, even as a volunteer one, and truly think and prepare much more than I have been doing. I’ve been just “doing the job” not really giving a whole lot of thought as to what else I can do, or should be doing.
I LOVE the direction with the leaders that WFX has taken. I loved hearing real life stories, ideas, etc. WFX has given me a new beginning so to speak and a whole lot of ideas to put into action!
Thanks so much for your contribution and everyone else that may post here who were leaders at WFX. God bless you!
Hey Jeff – Glad you had a blast. Sounds like a refreshing time, great fellowship, and a lotta fun. I’m excited to talk to you more about it. I enjoy being on the same team together =)