Some more reflection on Hillsong 2007
This Hillsong conference was the most life changing for me, apart from the first one I went to about 7 years ago…..
Something deep and indescribable has been placed within me…a deep hope and faith.

On another point, and upon reflection, something else was interesting. As much as Hillsong and the like attract incredible criticism, much of it bitter angst, much of it unwarranted…..they rarely respond, at least in public.
There was no criticism of the critics, and something else…..there was no criticism of other churches and their styles.

Brian Houston asked TD Jakes if he was to ‘google’ himself, would he find criticism, and if so, how would he respond. His answer was interesting. He said that he does not have time for critics……..

Thats something I need to learn from…..

Brian Houston stressed the need for personal accountability, especially in the light of recent events, but also for the need to be focused on what God calls us to, and to devote our energy to that.

I have redone my links…
Craggles is goorn, no longer blogging. Thanks for your interesting posts to a fellow Dockers supporter.
Ignite community has grown down, he is now posting at myspace for a younger audience….

I have added two more.

The Geoffreport
A Richmond supporter involved in the Vineyard church who flirts with emerging thoughts every now and then, but he likes Becks beer and Wolfmother, so he can’t be that bad.

Phil Cooke
He made us all feel not as embarassed as we could have been when watching Dentons, “God on my side”

Hillsong Conference addendum.

There is generally some direction that comes out of the conference, a feel or emphasis.
This year was two fold for me.
1. Life is tough and hard, and we need to struggle through some issues. Yet God gives us hope and with faith, we can believe better days are ahead

2. The church is to be the vehicle of justice and mercy in the world. In fact true worship involves giving of ourselves to the poor and marginalised. Louie Giglio spoke a powerful message on what truly pleases God, and that is being His hands and feet to those less fortunate.
Compassion was emphasised and it was encouraging to hear that 1900 kids were taken up as sponsor children over the week. What really matters about compassion and justice is actually doing something, and not just talking about it and slagging off other churches.

The last day, its a little sad really. Hillsong is my annual pilgrimage, a pastors retreat where he gets to rock up and be ministered to. To not have to worry about the sound, whether the data projector is manned, if the coffee is hot, but more importantly, what God wants to say to the people today. Its a time for me to be ministered to.
If I was going to sum up the theme which came through almost every speaker it would be this, “have faith that God will do great things through you, even if the circumstances suggest otherwise”.

Franklin Jentzen, Joseph Prince and Donna Crouch were the highlights for me. TD Jakes was awesome as well, but those three had a word for me…..and I thank God for this time.
Travelling and staying with a mate, talking about it all, thats good as well.

I know God will bless our church, and more importantly, we will see Him move in the hearts and lives of our community……I cant wait to see what He has in store for us….

Off tomorrow to Paddy’s markets, and some other shops to pick up some things for the kids. Got my wife’s present already.
Then on Sunday we plan to go to Hillsong City on Sunday morning, and the SCG Sunday afternoon for Freo V Sydney.

Friday 1st Session Bishop TD Jakes
We project our perceived self, Live it to the fullest
Abraham was going to go & lead the people to a place God would show him

Genesis 12 1 And Jehovah said to Abram, Go out of your country, and from your kindred, and from your father’s house into a land that I will show you.
Genesis 22 4 Then on the third day, Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place afar off.

There are places, moments, things that we are called to do
There showed be a fire that burns within us
God does not give us details, & that is frustrating
Where are you going? God knows all the details, but he knows there is something that happens in the heart of a leader when he has to humbly wait upon God, and yet walk by faith, not sight. This will only come through revelation, and so we have to humbly wait upon God.
Every time you are just about there, you will lose someone
You cannot take everyone with you. God is calling you to move, and leave the ”chickens” behind, the critics….
Abraham & Isaac…..Abraham had to listen to the new, fresh word of God
“I am sick to death of leaders who don’t want to be controversial”
11 Disciples said nothing …. That’s discouraging
Good leaders will train, transition themselves out of a job. Good leaders will look for a new thing

3rd Session Franklin Jentzen Habbakuk
1 He has a problem -burden
He was burdened for the people, the non-intervening of God….tough to know why

2 Gets a vision
Everything changes when you get a vision The vision is for an appointed time, and though it tarries, wait for it
We are a microwave generation, but we serve a crockpot God

3. Praises God
The prophet praises God based on ignorance ! Faith in God is better than an answer. If you curse your situation you will die. If you feed negative thoughts they will grow
People listen when you have faith

Starts to praise

You don’t get faith without a problem
The manna stayed fresh in the ark of the covenant
In the presence of God, we stay fresh
When you cannot hear God, read Him, until you CAN hear Him
Jer 8 “unblushables”

Second last day……
TD Jakes went off like a firecracker tonight, man that guy can preach!! If you don’t believe or like emotive preaching, you wont like TD….If you reckon, like me, that God created us as emotional beings and truth can and should be communicated using emotions, then maybe, like me, you would enjoy listening to him.
Also got to hear Steven Curtis Chapman, he was great….
Full on day, managed to pick up a Krispy Kreme and some fresh cherries….they went down well!!

Thursday 1st Session Jentzen Franklin
1 Samuel 19
11 Then Saul sent troops to watch David’s house. They were told to kill David when he came out the next morning. But Michal, David’s wife, warned him, “If you don’t escape tonight, you will be dead by morning.”
12 So she helped him climb out through a window, and he fled and escaped.
The negative forces were pounding on the door, & his wife had to open the window , it was dark, it took faith to step out. David had to take advantage of the open window
You will regret lost opportunity, life is too short to live in regret
We can’t let negative voices stop us
It is up to earth to make the blessings of heaven to be opened
Malachi 3:10
10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in My Temple. If you do,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put Me to the test!
My God shall supply all your needs
Pastors need a open window to the Holy Spirit
Has the church shut the window of the Holy Spirit, if it on the menu, why isn’t it in the kitchen ?

Michal’s window of opportunity became the window of criticism
Never name your future based on your present

Rahab window She opened the window of faith

You came through your parents not from them

Its as stupid to try and smell with your eyes, as think about your opportunities without faith

Paul had 2 windows of opportunity
He was let down by 2 ropeholders
They believed in him before he became big
(mine-Aninias)
They held onto the “basket case”
Even when it became tense, they held on

Kid fell out of the window. Windows are not meant to be sat in.
Paul did give him what he deserved, Paul loved him back to the kingdom

2nd Session Donna Crouch
I love listening to Donna Crouch, forget everyone else….. she gets it. If you are organising conferences, and want to speak to team leaders, pastors and church leadership groups, get Donna, she is awesome…

1 Samuel 14
6 “Let’s go across to the outpost of those pagans,” Jonathan said to his armor bearer. “Perhaps the LORD will help us, for nothing can hinder the LORD. He can win a battle whether He has many warriors or only a few!”
7 “Do what you think is best,” the armor bearer replied. “I’m with you completely, whatever you decide.”

Vision is not the problem, the issue is the gap.

1. Serve the vision
2. Armour Bearer
To lift to bring forth, carry weapons,
3. Ceilings
“I pay you to think” this pushes you through the ceiling
4. Pick your battles
5. Vision creates a gap

3rd Session Bobby Houston
Habakkuk 1
Years + strength + influence = Strategy

1. Steward the years
People align themselves with people they trust, that takes time
What has been purposefully sewn
Psalm 144
Can you articulate the strength
What does Heavenly God look down upon & see as incredible ?

4.30pm Session Joseph Prince
No-one could love God like that, no one can understand how to love God like that

Do you love God or does God love you?
Contrast between John & Peter
John who said Jesus loved him, was found at the foot of the cross
John boasted of Christs love for him
Peter, who said he loved Jesus, was found denying Christ
Peter boasted of his love for Jesus

Results
John divine revelation Jesus told him at last supper
Peter asked but wasn’t told
J was helpful to Jesus at the cross
J was first to the tomb
John 21.17 John recognized Jesus, Peter had to ask

Is 53 It pleased the Lord…..
John was loved by Jesus
As Christ is accepted, so am I, because Jesus is holy we are not condemned.

Thursday 7.30pm T.D. Jakes
Get ready Genesis 1
There are seasons to our life

God is eternal & sufficient
God has made us creative, he made trees, not chairs
If you ask God for something it may turn up in raw form..
God does not have to be explained
He just is

1. God is strategic, you are planned & have a purpose, therefore enjoy today and be glad about it!
2. God does things by a system
God has set in place nature for example
We are pregnant with ideas
When
3.God is synergistic God designed animals to mate with each otler
Illustration of Eagles
When an Eagle stretches its wings, almost 3 metres wide, designed to get up high above the clouds
4.
What are we going to do with the time we have left?

Hi all who read this blog.
I would request that if you want to reference my notes on the Hillsong conference you be fair about it, and just take a quote or two, and not just cut and paste the lot to some other site. Also please reference the web address for my blog,
Thanks….
Mark

Another orrrsome day
Today was a great day to be in Sydney at Hillsong 2007.
Joseph Prince was profound, and full of great ideas for messages, he emphasised grace, and it was SOLID teaching…..felt like he had placed some great truths in me….

Had another great coffee on the way in. They are letting us take our coffee into the auditorium this year, which is really good.
Have bought the new cd, and the songs seem deeper this year, I think I might have already said that. Couple written by Brooke Fraser, which are very Stuart Townend like, both in style and language….Most of the songs seem to be written by the younger crew, perhaps a signal of a change in generations perhaps?

Tired, but full, its great to be here.

Wednesday 1st Session Joseph Prince
John 1:17
17 For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ.
Law condemns
1st miracle turned water to blood
2nd miracle turned water to wine

5 It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God.
6 He has enabled us to be ministers of His new covenant. This is a covenant not of written laws, but of the Spirit. The old written covenant ends in death; but under the new covenant, the Spirit gives life.
7 The old way, with laws etched in stone, led to death, though it began with such glory that the people of Israel could not bear to look at Moses’ face. For his face shone with the glory of God, even though the brightness was already fading away.
8 Shouldn’t we expect far greater glory under the new way, now that the Holy Spirit is giving life?
9 If the old way, which brings condemnation, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new way, which makes us right with God!

People are sinning without license
It does not take the Holy Spirit to understand law
Grace is not natural
How come people don’t accuse us of having too much grace?
If you remove the law from the church does the church become lawless?
God is not after behavior modification but heart transplant
Law is holy, righteous, but it cannot make you holy
We should not be fighting to put 10 commandments in schools, but John 3:16
Grace will always beat the law, Jesus overcomes sin, He is not overcome by it.
Law of sin & death is more powerful than self will
Self control is a fruit of the Spirit and manifested by grace
Luke 18 “what must I do?” Obey all the laws!
Luke 19 “I am coming to your house ” Jesus gave grace and Zaccheus gave everything away, freely
When the Israelites mumured, they died.
3000 died, at Mnt Sinai Law
3000 came to life at Pentecost Grace
Centurian & woman both had great faith, why? They were both Gentiles & not under the Law!

Wednesday 2nd Session Louie Giglio
Is our legacy that we are consumers ? Or is our worship that we take the gospel to the world

Hebrews 13:15 Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to His name.
Come through “The Door” before you come through the door, you will be ready to worship
I don’t need a band or a style to start praising God
The worship movement is a juggernaut, but we walk away unchanged
God is looking for a church full of consumee’s, not consumers
AND……
16 And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.

Caring for the poor, this is what makes God happy.

God, what do You want?
All will see, how great is our God!
Worship is God focused , comprehensive (brings people to God)
Pastor led worship – The Pastor will lead, & the church will only go as far as the church – but there will be no preaching in heaven
Gifted to proclaim but created to worship
Short term communicator, Long term worshipper

Wednesday 3rd Session Ed Young
Ask Questions
Cancel things in your church all the time
What am I going to copy?
Take someone’s stuff to a whole new level
Speak to the thirds….
High chair – “I” chair
1st Chair – Hell bound
2nd – Saints
3rd – Fresh

4th Ride Theta identified – relaxed state

5th plan with a team, you will limit your creativity
Fresh, confidence, critique, training ground for new leaders/teachers
Always answer the
Why?
Tension create & tension
How do I pull this off, unpredictably
How is it different ?
Make it your style ?
Is it your stuff, is it your passion ?
Don’t take stuff without changing it!
Creativepastors.com
Grow by strategic subtraction
Hire Yes people
Don’t read the negative crap, it will break you down
Don’t lie about the numbers
Who are we reaching ?
Where are you putting your money?
Value your staff and pay them well

Wednesday 4th Session Donna Crouch
Donna explained what welfare, crisis, counseling, prison chaplain, refuge work, relief work Hillsong Church is involved in….

Hillsong Emerge
People don’t need us to take advantage of their needs
They give out beds to Sudanese Refugees in Blackburn “its not a sermon, its just a bed”

Street Teams
Go in every Thursday & Saturday, clean up areas

Hillsong Life
Hillsong uses a lot of Careforce material and offers these courses free of charge, its easier to just meet the need, than prevent it, but there is less visible reward for this
They believe everyone is poor in some area, spirit , financial, relationships etc, and they want the church to help in all these areas. They want Hillsong to be famous for its welfare and social areas, not so much its music.

Wednesday Night Session Jentzen Franklin
Romans 13:11 This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.
12 The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living.
We are in a transfer zone
If the transfer is not made successfully then the runner is disqualified
If we don’t transfer the Gospel …..
The older you get, the more open you have to be, but in fact, it is natural to be closed to changes
We must be vision driven, not memory driven
We are in a Kairos time, a time of opportunity
3 stages of life
1st stage Growth
2nd Earn
3rd Return

Don’t let the drifting get to you
There is always a space between the now and the next. How the next treats the now, will determines how the next is treated when it is the now
Colossians 1:15 Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation,
Christ is the ICON of the Church
Illustration Jeans can be passed down
Holy, dirty, blue Jeans