Posted by jeremyscheller in Leaving Mediocre Behind | 3 Comments
The Heart Behind Innovate 08
I’m not going to lie. I was very skeptical. I’ve read about, seen some clips of, and had some wild assumptions about Granger Community Church. I know people there. Good people. But I was still skeptical of a church that has a hundred foot screen in their auditorium and every service is truly a multi-media pop culture experience.
My skepticism couldn’t have been proven more wrong.
The people at Granger pour everything they have into the Innovate Conference. And when it all comes down to it, it’s all about pursuing God’s kingdom here on earth. It’s all about bringing people into a relationship with Jesus and moving them deeper into missional living.
I expected a lot of glitz. And while I trust the people I know there, I still had an expectation that something would be off. Something would be contrived. And it wasn’t.
I spent the last few days getting truly inspired to stop talking and start doing. Inspired to get results. Inspired through stories of transformation that were ignited by people responding when they heard God calling.
Their passion is genuine.
The tools they use aren’t overdone.
The leaders know who they are and what they want to do.
And that is why they are a church and a community that makes waves.
A church we hear about.
A church that gets a spotlight shined on them.
A church that I would champion.
A church that leads.
Thank you Granger Community Church. Your leadership was inspiring.
Thanks jeremy – it was good to have you hang out with us again and glad you could experience Innovate! Safe travels home…
You articulated something I’d felt before too. I tend to believe that breadth can never equal depth. But my assumptions were proven wrong by the authentic experience I had at Innovate and in hearing the hearts of the people that run the church. And I’m so glad they don’t think they have a “corner on the market,” that they’re willing, open, and able to assist other churches on their journey to expand the Kingdom.
Innovate 08 was my first first-hand encounter with Granger, too (having a few of the same inklings about them that you did). But they ooze authenticity and are making an incredible impact with laser-guided focus.
They’re a testament that doing a few things well beats the pants off doing everything poorly.
A great conference (as conferences go) that I’m looking forward to frequenting as I’m able.
Awesome blog, by the way. I covet. I know I shouldn’t.