I don't know about you, but I don't need just another thing on my list. Time is valuable and I don't want to waste a moment or a weekend on something that is simply a good thing to do. Currently in my life when I look at options, I look at three categories-good, better, and best. I want my time spent intentionally on the best.
Those were my thoughts yesterday in the midst of a brainstorming meeting as we were planning our annual Girls' Ministry Conference set for February 25-26, 2011. What will make this conference for high school girls and girls' ministry leaders the best? The best value? The best ministry? The best leadership training? The best for connecting? The best for spiritual growth? The best for churches? the best for reaching and ministering to girls outside of the church walls? The best for God's kingdom?
Our excitement built as we discussed the input and evaluations from about 200 leaders and girls who attended our first Girls' Ministry Forum in February earlier this year. Great and fresh ideas surfaced. We are looking forward to offering break-outs that will strengthen and equip leaders, as well as, offering break-outs that encourage and refresh all of us spiritually.
We are still tweaking details, but currently looking to provide break-outs on relevant topics such as homosexuality, pornography, and social media, and their impact on girls and girls' ministry. There will also be break-outs providing times of spiritual growth focused on prayer, living from your strengths and giftedness, and discipleship. We want to provide the high school girls with options that help them focus on leadership and/or spiritual development and growth. And what girl wouldn't want to learn more about conflict resolution in "Fight like a Girl!"
We will have more details coming in the months ahead about this Girls' Ministry Conference, but I wanted to let you know our goal is for the best. And do you know how I know it will be the best? Because we started our time together with Exodus 33. Just read Exodus 33:12-17 to get the main focus that we discussed and prayed about for this Girls' Ministry Conference.
"If Your presence does not go," Moses responded to Him, "don't make us go up from here" (Ex. 33:15).
We are not taking a step or moving forward without knowing that God is in it. If God is not going before us in every detail of this Girls' Ministry Conference, it may be good, but it won't be the best. Without His presence this girls' ministry conference or anything else that might take our time and attention just isn't worth it.
Although registration doesn't begin until August 1, I've already put this Girls' Ministry Conference on my calendar and not just because I have to. As I fill my calendar for 2011 I want my time spent on things of value. I am skipping over the good options. I am moving past the better options. Instead, I am intentionally looking for what is the best for my relationship with God and the best for my relationships with others. And based on my experience from the Girls' Ministry Forum in February, I know this Girls' Ministry Conference will be worth it.
Where would this conference be held, or is that still in the works?