Some Thoughts on the Holy Spirit Conference 2014

It has now been a while since the annual Holy Spirit Conference at Green Lake, WI. I suppose that most of those who are really interested in what God might be doing at this conference have already seen a lot of postings about the conference on Face Book. I thought that it was a great conference! I have also been thinking about why this conference was so meaningful to me.

The first conference was in 1975 under the leadership of Ken Pagaard. In those days, the sponsoring group was the American Baptist Charismatic Fellowship. This was an informal group of pastors and lay persons who were interested in Holy Spirit renewal in the American Baptist Churches. I didn't make this conference; my first time was in 1979. I have only missed three or four since. I have served in many roles over the years; worship leader, leader of the conference, workshop presenter, leader of the Pastors track -- and most often, just an attendee of the conference. I have served on the leadership team (National Service Committee) since 1981. I am stating all of this as background as to why I found this conference so special.

The first reason that the conference seemed so special is that I am getting older. I don't know when I will say at the end of the conference, "This is my last one." I hope it isn't too soon, but that day is coming. This is not a depressing thought, but when this thought begins to enter your consciousness, you begin to really pay attention to what is happening -- this might be your last time. I was really attentive at this conference.

The second reason was that the speakers were great -- and they had a consistent message. John Grove from New Jersey started things off at the Green Lake Conference worship service. This was technically before our conference began, but his message was a great kick off to our conference. Then came Todd White! In one of my favorite musicals, "The Sound of Music," the nuns sing, "How do you solve a problem like Maria?" Well Todd wasn't a problem, but I say, "How do you describe a man and his message like Todd?" He is an African American with long Dread-locks. He is funny.His testimony includes the statement that he is a convicted felon with a Bad Conduct discharge from the Marine Corps who was a drug abuser. Yet God transformed his life. He is a bold witness for the Lord. He is a man who allows the Holy Spirit to work mightily through him. His motivation is love. He wants us to be bold, but not clones of Todd White. God wants us to be authentically who we are.

Then there is Dean Sherman. I have heard him speak several times. He is the tame speaker. He looks normal (I am speaking as an old man -- forgive me). His message was profound. He tied together what Todd said and what Robbie Dawkins was going to say. The motivation is the love of God. God loves each of us. We are God's children and he wants to use us. He wants us to be bold in ministry, yet our ministry will be our own because we are God's creation and he has ministry that works for us personally.

Robbie Dawkins in appearance looks like someone who might have lynched Todd White in another day -- yet, that was not his personality. I can't tell his whole testimony. I will just say that he is an excellent communicator who can have you laughing one minute and sitting in awe just a moment later. He ministered healing. He also shared God's love with us. The message of all four was consistent. God loves us, wants us to love other and to be bold as we share that love with others.

The Third reason was my Pastors Track. What is the pastors track? Well, pastors who have never attended the conference are eligible for a scholarship -- the catch is that they must be a part of the pastors track and I head that up. We eat lunch together, discuss the speakers, spend time with some of the speakers and experience some small group interaction. This is always a blessing for me. I had an interesting group; one of my oldest friends, Kevin Cope from Oregon; a Vineyard pastor from Chicago (who had actually at one time been the supervisor of Robbie Dawkins); a couple of African American pastors from Sioux Falls, SD (one grew up close to where I did -- even though I was much earlier -- the other was from the Ivory Coast; a missionary couple from Prague (he was born in the Netherlands, his wife in Ensenada and their children in Germany; and a pastor from the state of Washington. This group encouraged me a lot.

I think that this is enough for now. I will post another blog later this week with reasons four and five. Anyway, I am glad that I got to attend this year. Looking forward to next year.