Willow Creek: New Offerings Widen Scope of Arts Conference 2007
Exciting new options for networking,
training, and inspiration mark the 2007
edition of the annual Arts Conference 2007
at Willow Creek. Targeted primarily to those
who help create and “pull off” Sunday services in local churches, this long-standing,
high-quality event also draws Christ-fol-lowing artists and leaders from diverse disciplines who want to develop their gifts on
behalf of the work of the local church.
Drawing from churches of all sizes, locations, and denominational backgrounds,
this annual convocation centers on the goal
of fostering life transformation through
better weekend church services. Hosted
at the state-of-the-art facilities of Willow
Creek Community Church near Chicago,
this year additional training options will
also be available at the nearby Renaissance
conference facilities.
The overarching theme for 2007 is
“Hallelujah: what’s right with the world.”
Artists often see the pain in our broken
world and it can be a temptation for them
to move in a downward spiral, becoming
both a critic and a cynic. While remaining authentic to the very real struggles of
life, those who follow Christ must also
affirm the goodness of God. As they create
moments in Sunday services that open a
window of hope to our broken world, they
remind others that everything “right with
the world” comes from the hand of God.
This year’s event has been focused
down to two-and-a-half, power-packed
days—maximizing the time and financial investment of attendees—with many
opportunities for guests to customize
the experience.
Scheduled for Wednesday through
Friday, June 13-15, 2007, this year’s
gathering offers:
Dynamic Main Sessions
Featured speakers include Donald
Miller, Erwin McManus, DeWitt Jones,
Brian McClaren, Dan Kimball, Pete Scazzero
and Nancy Beach—with worship by
David Crowder and a main-stage creative
presentation from Mosaic Church in Los
Angeles.
Point Leader Track
Worship/arts ministry leaders only can
add on a targeted day of training on 300-
level topics. Class sizes are capped. Leaders include Nancy Beach, John Townsend,
Nancy Ortberg, Brian McClaren, Dan Webster,
Pete Scazzero and more.
Technical Experience
For team members with skills and
responsibilities in audio, lighting, scenic, live
video, post video, visual arts, and technical
leadership, the conference offers learning
opportunities including breakouts, hands-on skill training in digital and analog audio,
video animation and video shoots, technical
round table discussions on dozens of
topics, and interactive opportunities with
key vendors.
Breakout Training
With more than 120 breakout options,
guests can customize their training with
options in leadership, service creation, drama, dance, vocal, instrumental, worship,
spiritual formation, and more. Those with
multiple responsibilities can move freely
between breakout tracks.
Pastors-Only Track
The Sunday morning experience
demands the high-touch leadership of pastors
and teachers. Knowing how worship/arts
teams benefit when pastors attend this
event, special training and networking
opportunities are available.
Field Trip “Showcases”
For guests who’ve wished they could
hop on a plane to attend a Sunday service at
another church that is exploring a unique
approach to the arts, the conference offers
“field trip” experiences—featuring “show
and tell” from worship and programming
leaders from unique churches of all sizes
from around the country.
Cups of Coffee
A more intimate approach to learning is behind these morning “cups of
coffee”—where 6 to 8 conference guests
join a facilitator with expertise on the table
topic. More than 50 topics available each
morning.
Film Festival
On Thursday evening, guests can sit
back and enjoy the best offerings in film
and video by church ministries around the
country—an opportunity for both inspiration and entertainment.
Art in the City
For an unforgettable team-building
opportunity, a limited number of seats for
Chicago arts experiences have been secured
for conference guests. Transportation is
provided so teams can enjoy a low-stress
evening of high-quality entertainment.
The Arts Conference 2007 is a Willow
Creek Association (WCA) event, attended
by over 4,000 church leaders each June.
The WCA is a not-for-profit Christian organization dedicated to serving local church
leaders. More than 12,000 churches, representing 90 denominations in 35 countries
are WCA Members. Detailed information on The Arts Conference 2007, along
with the latest additions to the speaker and
training lineups can be found at www.
willowcreek.com. You can also call the
WCA toll-free at 800.570.9812.
