Going to the Summit

Pastor Bill Hybels serves as host and speaker.

God willing, I will spend the next two days attending the Willow Creek Global Leadership Summit at a satellite location in our state. The purpose of the Summit is stated as: “The Global Leadership Summit exists to transform Christian leaders around the world with an annual injection of vision, skill development, and inspiration for the sake of the local church.”

I have lost track of how many of these I have attended—one on site in South Barrington, Illinois, and the rest at various satellite locations. Some may wonder why I bother to attend a meeting put on by a megachurch located in an upscale suburb. Although I may disagree with some of the presenters from time to time, the Willow Creek Association consistently enlists some of the most interesting and knowledgeable communicators of the day to present practical ideas about leadership. The speakers are drawn from churches, universities, consulting groups, and not-for-profits.

In recent years, the Summit has particularly highlighted young entrepreneurs who exercise servant leadership either through their businesses or not-for-profit organizations. They may not necessarily be Christians, but their actions testify to what Christian should be about.

This year the program includes some of my favorites like Patrick Lencioni, Jim Collins, and John Ortberg. There is a nod to the political realm with former Secretary of State Condolezza Rice, and these forays into the political realm are always fraught with potential controversy (as when Bill Hybels invited President Bill Clinton several years ago). Other speakers include Sheryl WuDunn, author of Half the Sky: Leadership in the Face of Oppression; Marc Kielburger, Co-Founder, Free The Children; and Pranitha Timothy, Director of Aftercare, International Justice Mission. Other speakers include pastors Mario Vega, Craig Groeschel, and host Bill Hybels.

This is always a stimulating time and I hope to share some highlights in upcoming blogs.

Comments

Anonymous said…

Looking forward to what I can
learn, and re-learn this year!

IHG,

Billy

11:06 AM

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