How to lead a workshop
May 31, 2007 11:17 pm | Written by PhilWhen you get a chance, check out another video by House2House.com on How to Lead a Workshop. It hits at something that is characteristic of the simple church movement.
I just spoke at a youth rally. After watching this video, I’m wondering how much the kids were transformed during the experience, or if the kids will just remember that they really liked my talks. (The latter would be flattering, but the former is what I’m striving for.)
Have you ever listened to a really inspiring talk or sermon and forgotten most of what the speaker/preacher said? I just attended the Pepperdine Bible Lectures and already I’ve forgotten so much of those heart-stirring points by some of my all-time favorite speakers. How I wish my retention level was better. Still, I don’t think it’s just me. In the West we’re led to believe that that people (at least all those who are old enough to have graduated from the multiple-learning-style environments of grade school) need to passively sit and listen to someone talk for 45 minutes if their lives are going to be changed for the better. I don’t buy it. There is a time and place for the lecture format, but perhaps that format is not needed quite as often as we have been led to believe? As a way-of-life-missionary, I’m in search of something more influential and longer-lasting than hearing and giving really great talks.
Categories: video
2 Responses to “How to lead a workshop”
…. I had the privilege of attending the Youth Rally/Challenge
and from the back of the room I watched you and listened as
you spoke to the kids. So you are wondering “how much kids
were transformed”… or maybe you are also wondering
even “IF” they were transformed.
When you spoke during the event, I believe without a doubt,
the kids also were watching you and listening to your words…
your words that came from your heart…the heart of a young
man who loves God and wants to share that love.
During those moments you were speaking you actually planted
seeds within their hearts to grow. Seeds that will not only
grow…but will take root with strength over time. I am not
talking about overnight ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ growth….I am
talking about seeds that will allow them to be “transformed
during the experience”. Their transformation of change may
have started that weekend…or your words may have helped to
lead some…or even just one of the kids.. to a deeper
transformation that had already begun and is now renewed.
And even still…some of the kids may remain unaware
for a long time of the moment God helped you to plant within
their hearts.
….I lift up prayers of thankfulness for God’s calling to you and
Meri to be His vessels for His seeds of planting.
~~~ Genesis 8:22
Mama Perry,
Thank you so very much for your words of encouragement! Sometimes when I talk to a group, return home and don’t get to see the fruit, it is easy to wonder… I am so grateful God used me (and others) to plant seeds that weekend!
I’m not opposed to giving sermons to large crowds, although I do find one-on-one and small group gatherings generally are more conducive to life transformation and disciple-making (especially among cultures I’m interacting with). They allow people to explore faith in the context of spiritual friendships, where everyone knows each other and it’s safe to ‘be yourself’, and each person realistically gets opportunity to ask questions and contribute to what’s going on, learn from each other, process aloud what they’re hearing from God, and hold each other accountable.
Your message reminds me, though, that it is God’s Spirit (not us and our methods) who convicts hearts. He can and does change hearts in a lecture style format with the masses as well as more interactive and relational approaches with people we know …basically, in any way and through anyone he chooses!
It was a privilege to serve the young people as a guest speaker. I don’t want to underestimate what God did (and is still doing) through that incredible weekend! Thank you for reminding me of his power, and for your love and affirmation!
Care to comment?