This is mostly to let you know that I won't be posting for a few days as we are off to our Baptist General Conference Celebration in Winnipeg. But while I'm at it I may as well give you my impression of these kind of conferences and seminars.
I realize that it is important to get together, and necessary to discuss important issues, encourage each other and do the business of the denomination. But there's probably more I don't like about them than I do like.
Let's do the positives first. The worship and preachers are first rate. I really do enjoy listening to and participating in worship and preaching that I didn't have to prepare. Don't get me wrong, I very much enjoy those aspects of pastoring, but sometimes I need to take in as well as give out. They also give a change of scenery and a change of duties and they say a change is as good as a rest. Whoever planned this year's conference worked hard to be creative. It looks like one day's lunch and the annual meeting are being held on a river boat. That's a nice change. As well, concerts are being planned for the two evenings. That also sounds like a nice break as long as we aren't too tired out to enjoy it. But that's about it for the positives.
The main thing I don't like about these large gatherings is that I'm not good in a large crowd of people. I go from being the big fish in a small pond to a small fish in a very big pond. I don't think it's so much about pride and feeling important as it is in trying to determine where I fit. I'm not great at mixing in or butting in on conversations or making small talk with people I don't know. I feel a little lost at these things. Also, I appreciate the idea of seminars and I enjoy learning, but out of dozens of seminars I've attended, only a handful have been worthwhile in my opinion. More often than not, I take home more guilt than anything else from such seminars. So big bucks are paid out for what often amounts to an uncomfortable waste of time for me. How's that for negative?
So now you can pray for my attitude, my growth in these areas, and God's presence and blessing as we meet together. I'm praying that God will be glorified, individuals encouraged and refreshed, and that the BGC as a whole will benefit from this time together.
Dave
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Hey, I feel basically the same way about the teacher conferences I have to go to--except that mine are free and it sounds like you have to pay a bunch of money yourself. I'm not sure if you get a choice in what seminars you attend but I have found that choosing seminars that relate to my field but that otherwise are on topics I know nothing about and feel unlikely to use are the ones that I can that SOMETHING out of--they are so new that they inspire me to attempt something. Whereas the ones that I have taken because I think I need some help in that area have turned out to be so basic that I walk away learning nothing I didn't already know and still feeling helpless to do better. Again, I'm not sure how much that might help in your case, but those are my thoughts. I will certainly pray for you.
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