Church growth conference helps pastors feel like miserable failures
PEORIA, Ill. — The "Bigger Church, Bigger Impact" conference wrapped on Friday, leaving participants feeling drained and dejected.
"I came here thinking my church was doing all right. Now I see we're so dinky and dumb, it's not even funny," says pastor Steve Irvine of Reno, Nev., who went to his hotel room and cried after each session.
Several faith-filled conference speakers shared how they grew their churches to tens of thousands of members with various ministry techniques. In the foyer afterward, many participants wore tight grins. Some broke down on the spot.
After paying $400 to attend the conference, pastor Ryan Delacourt of Eugene, Ore., left feeling "about three tons worse" than when he came.
"I don't know why I go to these things," he says, noting that his church has been trying to break the 100-member mark for twelve years.
After the conference some pastors hit the local Cracker Barrel restaurant to commiserate. Some vowed not to return.
"If I want to be this depressed again, I'll rent Apocalypse Now, or read my e-mails," quipped one. •
www.larknews.com
10 comments:
was that actually in peoria? what the freak? who in the world started up that conference and thought it was a good idea?
Days without soda, why don't you try days w/o beer, FATSO.
that's actually not a bad idea Pete, i've thought about that.
i am starting a blog called DICKHEADS on the internet, can I use your photo?
Sure Pete, whatever you want.
i'll let youknow when i have it up , DICKHEAD. and you sure are one.
peter north
alright thanks Pete, I love when crazy people visit my blog. Isn't using a porn name kind of 80's?
I came across your blog and I couldn't help but laugh at your response to peter north's comments. Now, why exactly is peter so passionate about your being a dickhead? Or does peter drop by every once in a while just to call you that and then move on? Is peter some kind of fanatical larknews fan or something or is he just some kind of religious fanatic who thinks that you are mocking God? I'm curious.
Do you think that if I post this, peter will put me on his dickhead blog, too?
Hi April,
You raise some good questions. I have no idea who this "Peter" is. So I guess I also have no idea why he so passionately hates me. But you are definitely right about it being amusing. I actually look forward to checking my comments in the morning now in hopes of getting a funny message from him. he's brought a little light to my life. As for if Peter will grace your blog with his presence, it's anyones guess, but I hope for your sake that he does!
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