Sitting Around

Well, our annual conference convention is over. It went better than usual (I think).

The low points were:
- Still didn't get any information beforehand. I didn't even know they had chosen someone new to be president (congrats to Tom Toner - at least he's a blogger).
- Nothing was explained very well (it's like everyone assumes everyone knows who everyone else is and what we're supposed to do).
- The worship time sucked (Lance, I put good things in the evaluation too). They had an okay singing group, but it wasn't participatory AT ALL. I didn't like that.
- There were some other not-as-significant things... so, all in all, it was a good convention as far as conventions go.

What was good:
- The people there. It's always nice to see Lance and his dad; Drapers; had lunch with Mike Clawson; Brian, Eddie, Fran, Gil; and I'm probably forgetting a bunch of people.
- Good break-out sessions. I sat in on Fran Leeman's and Jeff Rockey's. I learned much from both.
- The Church Doctor (Kent Hunter) was pretty good as a keynote speaker.
- The food was EXCELLENT! The best food we've ever had, or probably ever will have.
- Maybe the best part of the whole event was... after it was over, the people from my church (Scott, Linda, Robin, Jane) and John & Jennifer and Jane's brother Mark all came over for a "de-breifing." We sat around for a couple of hours and discussed the things we learned, questioned, etc. THAT was the best part - being able to sit around and TALK/SHARE.

I think that is maybe something we could really improve at our conventions. We need to find a way to allow people to talk, but in groups of people they "want" to talk with. And to somehow make it so they will WANT to stay for that time, rather than think that just means they can go home or back to their hotel.

It still irks me how some people feel they are too good to sit in on the sessions with everyone else. It especially irritates me to see a table full of the "leaders" off by themselves while the "regular" people are doing... whatever. We have a real exclusivistic group. For some I think that makes them feel more important. But, I am trying to not worry about that anymore.

At any rate, maybe the best part of the whole thing was the group of people that went from my church. I feel this is an invaluable experience for us. And I'm always glad when Jane gets to go. Makes the whole thing worthwhile.

Well, Scott is here to work the dirt around our shelter.

Peace, friends. Revolution!