1. I didn’t make it this year-sorry

2. I would like to see the program, “The Church of Christ in light of Galations 3:2-3

3. I would like to see Duane Sheriff, TD Jakes, Joyce Meyer. Or at least somebody who’s not white.

4. See #2’s answer.

5. Maybe a section on “Why I left the church of Christ.” Invite people who have left the “fold” or who were “starved out.”

6. These workshops are sorta like presidential campaigns. Lots of talk but seldom is their actual change. Case in point: What came of last years’ bro-ha-ha?

Jonspears2000@yahoo.com

1. I loved Mike Cope, Jeff Walling and Paul Whitmire.

2. Max Lucado, Greg Laurie, Erwin McManus!!!

3. Jack Hayford is really great. Bill Hybels or mabye John Ortberg. Dallas Willard would be incredible. Mabye Lee Strobel to talk about appoligetics.

4. Well of course Unity. John’s idea of why I left the chruch of Christ souunds pretty good. Since we are trying to unify though mabye we should have a pretty intense session on Music Instrumental vs. Acappella.

5. Have it fall on Spring Break and not on easter weekend. I know it’s not going to happen but next year have co worship with a worship band.

6. Same time length. Thurs, Fri, and Sat is perfect. If it’s not broke don’t fix it.

Wasn’t there this year, but I have been in the past.

If you’re looking on the “emergent” front, there are a couple of guys on staff at Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, KY that you should contact. There names are Kyle Idleman, who is one of the preaching associates there, and a Richard Mosqueda, who is the college minister. They run a gathering called “The Vine” on Sunday nights there.

Of course, for some guys who have been in the Christian churches for a long time, and have done much in the Restoration Movement to try to bring about unity, the two senior ministers there would be a good option, their names (as if you didn’t already know) are Bob Russell and Dave Stone. They are both super nice guys, and I’m pretty sure that Dave Stone is a descendent of one of the Restoration fathers, Barton W. Stone, though I could not swear to that.

I know this would be a stretch, but someone like Rob Bell would be awesome.

The preacher at the Landmark church in Montgomery, Buddy Bell, is one of my favorite teachers, and he spoke at the workshop back in ‘03, I think. He did a great lesson on the woman at the well, and bringing passion back into our churches.

There are so many good guys out there in the Christian churches. The president of the NACC lives just a few miles down the road from me in Bloomington. His name is Tom Ellsworth, and the secretary lives just a few miles up the road from me in Mooresville. His name is Jeff Faull. They both have done much to try to bring about unity.

Of course, there are the guys like Rick Atchley and Jeff Walling that I just don’t think the workshop could live without…

How about Chris Seidman?

And of course, one of my personal favorites is Wade Hodges. If he isn’t speaking, I’m not coming!!!!!

1. I really enjoyed Rubel Shelly, Jeff Childers, and Randy Harris

2. From within our tribe I would like to hear Mark Black (lipscomb), David Fleer (rochester), or maybe some of our black brothers.

3. From outside our tribe I would like to hear Jim Cymballa.

4. Maybe there could be some topics devoted soley on preaching in todays culture or on issues elders face.

5. The only change I can think of is that most people seem to have to leave Saturday afternoon (preachers, teachers, and elders). Has anyone thought about having the last keynote session at 2 or 3pm Saturday?

Oh yeah, I forgot about topics…

Definitely continue with the emergent, post-modern stuff. I think that is so important. Maybe we could have some teaching about house to house churches. That is actually becoming a kind of passion of mine, and I look forward to moving the church I am currently with, or planting a church in the future that would be based that way. I wrote a post about it several weeks ago, and I have done other posts about the whole emergent topic over the past few weeks. You can click here for the one that specifically talks about house to house churches.

Unity is another topic, obviously… it is SOOOO time that the Restoration Movement became what it once was again. I pray for this all the time.

I would also have some lesson on the church actually being the church. Not just some organization that builds large buildings and large memberships and large bank accounts… but a body that feeds the poor and the hungry, clothes the naked, and cares for the orphans and widows… a lesson that calls us all to repentance as we move forward into what God has in store for us in this new generation.

Are there any changes I would make? Just one that comes to mind right now…

I’ve noticed that some years at the workshop, everything is set up like traditional church. Row after row after row. Other years, we’re more in a circle, and it feels more like community. I would do anything I could to encourage that community feel… I think that is so important, but then, that’s just my opinion.

How about more women speakers who are on location and not off at the church building. Maybe even women speakers that would be an option for the men or the women not just women’s topics.

http://www.terryhershey.com

1. Who are your favorite workshop speakers?

Rick Atchley, Jeff Walling, Rubel Shelly, Mike Cope, Wade Hodges

2. Who would you like to see on the program next year that wasn’t this year or hasn’t ever been on the program before?

I’d love to hear Fred Peatross at Workshop, also Max Lucado, Larry James, Mitch Wilburn, Reg Cox, Buddy Bell

3. What “non-Church of Christ/Christian Church” speaker would you like to see at the next workshop?
I’d like to hear more of Len Sweet’s stuff, Brian McClaren would be great, John Ortberg, Bill Hybels, Rob Bell

4. What topics would you like to see addressed in 2006?
In light of our 100 year anniversary of our split, I’d love to hear more conversation on bridging the divide between our groups. More emergent, pomo stuff is always nice.
5. If you could change anything about the workshop, what would it be?

6. What about the workshop do you most want to see stay the same?
Probably just the excitement that teems in the expo center, the gifted speakers, the great book offers, and of course the fair grounds rock!

1. Who are your favorite workshop speakers? Any speakers that call me to mission. There are other places for other concerns. I know a minister who says he was motivated to discover what the church could become when he first started attending the workshop in the 70’s. Back then they used to challenge the attendies to go out and win 100 people for Christ. He said he went back home and did it. He said his small little church became alive, tripling in size over the next few years. We need to rediscover the faith that led the early church to spread the name of Christ accross the then known world. I know the world has changed a’lot since then, but we still need to be called to our mission. After all this is the “Soul Winning Workshop”
2. Who would like to see on the program next year that wasn’t this year or has not ever been on the program before? I strongly aggree with some of the other comments. We need more of our African American preachers there. How can unity with others be considered before considering our own division. I know Garnett is not, but most of the churches of Christ are divided by the color of skin on Sunday morning. This is a serious problem that many think is resolved but it’s not. This was a strength at Garnett when I was young.
3. What “non-Church of Christ/Christian Church” speaker would you like to see at the next workshop? None. I’m not saying that we don’t have anything to learn from others, we have a’lot we can learn. I believe that the discussion that is going to take place with the Christian churches next year (as you mentioned at the workshop) will be enough to occupy people’s minds.
4. What topics would you like to see addressed in 2006? Renewal to our mission, the role of the Spirit in our Mission, Spiritual Formation, Discipleship.
5. If you could change anything about the workshop, what would it be? See question #1. Also, a less cheesy song service. Turn the volume down on the praise team so we can hear everyone sing. More reading of scripture as a part of our worship. Maybe even a time of silence for individual or group prayer. Create more of a sacred space. Why is it that when according to all the books I have read on Postmodernism that people are now looking for something they can all participate in, that we are getting away from that. Why does it seem we are always ten years behind?
6. What about the Workshop do you most want to see stay the same? Joy

1. Who are your favorite workshop speakers? Typically, I try not to miss Marvin Phillips, Terry Rush, Dusty Rush, Larry West, Jerry Jones (been missing him), Jim McGuiggan, Jeff Walling. The past few years have me adding Wade Hodges to that list. I can see that Taylor Walling is going to have an influential voice as well! Can we please have Lynn Anderson at night on a Bible theme for everyone … his past few years have been so leader-specific (good stuff no doubt, but let that man preach to the church!)

2. Who would you like to see on the program next year that wasn’t this year or hasn’t ever been on the program before? J. J. Turner, John Alan Turner, Monroe Hawley, Buddy Bell, Ben Overby, Al Maxey, Bruce Stewart. Some suggested African American brothers include Loyd Harris, Jack Evans, Willie Nettle, Samuel Jones, Cornell Johnson, and James Maxwell.

3. What “non-Church of Christ/Christian Church” speaker would you like to see at the next workshop?

Some potentials would be Matthew Paul Turner of Relevant Magazine, Leonard Sweet was awesome, John Eldredge, Brennan Manning.

4. What topics would you like to see addressed in 2006? I think the more focus on reaching those outside of Christ, the better. In my opinion, the reason why there are so many fusses in the church is the lack of outreach.

5. If you could change anything about the workshop, what would it be?
I really do not care for the 3-part lessons… it heightens the conflicting choices! I also would love to e able to purchase DVDs of the lessons to share back home….now that so many of us have projectors! I think more ethnic groups need to be seen on the program. Also (and I don’t want to stir up a huge stink here) if we are going to have a number of Christian Church brothers on the program, we should also have some of their worship leaders with their praise bands. We would probably expect them to include an acappella rendition or two for us. I would also suggest perhaps an instrumental concert / service in the exchange center during the acappella one in the pavilion (or reverse). Maybe a Mercy Me concert followed by a speaker. The dilemma is … are we still DIVIDED in doing it this way? Anyway…I’ll let you guys sort that out! Should I sign my name to this? lol

6. What about the workshop do you most want to see stay the same?
I like the wide variety of speakers: young, old, traditional, progressive, challenging, practical. I love all of the singing groups and liked this year with a couple of groups each night having a chance to sing a little more. Greater Alton Praise Team … more more more of those folks!

1. Favorite Speakers: Walling, Bell, Harris, Cope, Anderson, Larry James

2. New Speaker: Barry Cameron of Crossroads Christian Church in Grand Prairie, TX. Barry spoke at the National Preaching Summit on Stewardship. His family has been debt free sine Nov. 2001. The church there has been able to do some amazing things because of their giving. Barry has a book “The ABC’s of Financial Success. A lot of our folks and churches struggle with money mangaement.

3. Rick Warren, Dallas Willard, Bill Hybels, John Maxwell

4. I believe the Racial Reconciliation Issue is as big issue that needs to be addressed. The Workshop audience is over 90% white.

5. Please keep the Teen Surge Section. My two teens loved it and could become a drawing card to bring in a younger audience. I noticed the Tulsa crowd is graying.

6. The workshop is a great blessing to the church and pray it will continue to be an influencing factor on the church. I am very grateful for Garnett & Memorial sponsoring worskshop. It is a great encourgment! Keep up the great work!

Blessings!

1. Jeff, Mike Cope, Rubel, Marvin, Buddy Bell, Max, Rick Atchley are all good and needed.

2. I would like to hear from some of the “biggies” from other tribes. Also, guys like me would like to find a way to get our foot in the door, those of us who are doing some good work in smaller churches. God is doing some amazing things in churches that are 200 and under.

3. You pick.

4. Unity of all believers, attitudes and approaches to Scripture, small groups, living in the Holy Spirit, forgiveness, etc.

5. You really need to find someone that can run a mixer board and powerpoint. That was the most distracting thing this year. The pavilion system was turned up so loud, the praise team sounded like they were in a cave and you couldn’t hear anything else. It was awful!! The powerpoint guy needs to advance the slides quicker, midway between the last line. He left us hanging many times for the next words. The same problem was at Garnett Sunday morning. The sound mixing was bad. Acappella could not be heard except through the monitor speakers it seemed. Powerpoint was not keeping up. All this technology is good, only if you have the right people running it. What happened to the 50 states thing on Wednesday night? I’m not ready to give that up yet.

6. The 3 day format, even though Saturday night suffers a bit. Maybe save your best speaker for that night. Jeff could pack them in on a Saturday night. Keep Keith leading singing. He is awesome. That Greater Alton Church praise team and church group needs to have seats reserved for them at the front every night. They lifted my spirits with their sincere and expressive worship.

I love the workshop and appreciate the hard work you and others do to pull it off. Keep it up. You help people more than you know. God bless.

So many good ideas before mine that I can only think of a couple. David Fraze from Lubbock Christian would definitely be a winner with the youth - he “rocks!” I’ve really been missing Joe Beam the last few years, and his awesome passion for challenging our body to be what it is intended to be.
I don’t mind having speakers from other “tribes,” but I really would like the worship to be kept acapella in nature. The swelling of voices in the Pavillion would only be hindered with instruments. Keep the concerts for another time - not worship, please.
As mentioned before, thank you all for the hard work and time this workshop must be. There is no other place like the Workshop, so don’t change it too much….
Amy in Texas

OK. Here goes…..

1. Who are your favorite workshop speakers?

Many of the usual suspects others have named. I would also add Randy Harris — he always give me so much to think/study/pray about. And Wade Hodges. I had never heard you speak before…. I was impressed.

2. Who would you like to see on the program next year that wasn’t this year or hasn’t ever been on the program before?

How about some guys from here in the north? Mark Frost from Trenton, Michigan (he’s been on the program before), Patrick Mead, and Russell Howard from Marion, Ohio. Also, Buddy Bell, Tim Woodroof, Jim Woodroof and Chris Seidman.

3. What “non-Church of Christ/Christian Church” speaker would you like to see at the next workshop?

John Ortberg.

4. What topics would you like to see addressed in 2006?

Discipleship, work of the Spirit, Prayer.

5. If you could change anything about the workshop, what would it be?

Not much. Having it Easter Weekend is tough on us Preaching Ministers who have to preach on Easter Sunday. Also, making more provision for prayer (individual and group) at various times (early morning, late night, as part of worship, etc.). I don’t know exactly how this could be done, but I would be willing to help.

6. What about the workshop do you most want to see stay the same?

The venue (love the fairgrounds), the duration (Thurs., Fri., Sat. is just right), the worship, Marvin Phillips (you gotta love that man).

Oh, a couple of other non-Restoration speakers that came to mind besides Rob Bell are:

Dan Kimball
Brian McLaren
Sally Morgenthaler
Dallas Willard
Greg Boyd
Doug Pagitt
Bring Leonard Sweet Back!!!!!

1. Shelly. Walling. Cope. Harris. Paul Whitmire was a brilliant move. Keep bringing in the non-pro’s who have incredible stories.

2. BRIAN MCLAREN. Dallas Willard. Brennan Manning. Tony Campolo. Chris Seay. Tony Jones.

3. See above.

4. Mo pomo. Church still doesn’t get it. And let’s talk about being selfless. Let’s look at how we can get past ourselves and stop living for our own benefit and stop turning the church into a materialized, commodied consumer product that allows us to buy a little piece of heaven.

5. The workshop talks a lot about postmodernity, but still acts almost totally modern. That’s appropriate for the moderns, but if you want to transfer ownership of the workshop to the next generation, then let the workshop be a place where ministry in this new context is modeled. Be EPIC. Have some classes and be blunt about the changes that postmodernity is going to have on the church. Have a class that teaches people how to meditate, teach lectio devina, ancient meditative practices. Assign homework. Ask people to read a certain book before they come (Something by Leonard Sweet, or Brian McLaren, or even Rubel Shelley’s latest), and find someone qualified to lead a discussion about it. Maybe even instead of bringing in modern speakers (albeit great people) who understand postmodernism (Shelley, Cope, Walling), maybe you could find some very young postmodern talent and have them speak from the “inside” of postmodernity (you perhaps?).

6. Keep the praise teams from individual churches coming. The Greater Alton Praise Team…they weren’t perfect…they were often off-key…some of the people were goofy…the audience didn’t know the songs…and it was BEAUTIFUL. Let’s focus on being authentic. Not every church can have Free Indeed, but every church can worship passionately, and be genuine, and loving and joyful.

1. My favorite Workshop speakers are always Jeff Walling, Don Mc Laughlin, and Marvin Phillips. Put these people back on key note nights.

2. I will agree with a lot of the comments above. In the past, the Workshop was really good about bringing in black preachers. The dynamic is just totally different. This would also attract a whole other crowd to the Tulsa Workshop that doesn’t seem to come anymore. Also, Mitch Wilburn, Chris Seidman, Kent Allen, and Mark Henderson should all be on next years list of speakers.

3. Hmmmm…I haven’t really given this one much thought…

4. I would like to see more classes for college age students.

5. I kind of feel like the Workshop in recent years has only been geared towards one type of audience. If there was more of a variety of speakers who are known in the C of C, I think that would help a lot. Also, it would be AWESOME if each singing group could be assigned 4 times during the course of the day that they are able to sing. It is too difficult to coordinate the times between us ourselves. Also, the first aid booth suddenly disappeared this year…what happened??

6. I love the time of Worship with Jerome Williams and Free Indeed. I think it would be AMAZING if they could lead worship with Keith Lancaster all of the nights before the keynote. They just always seem to show a passion for worship and for God. It was good to see Booker Murphy there on Thursday night. As always, the Acappella concert was awesome!! Never change that. Oh yes, I loved the booths in the expo this year…that’s always fun!

1. I really enjoyed Mark Frost a few years ago; always love to hear Rick Atchley, Randy Harris, and Jeff Walling; and this year I particularly enjoyed Robert Cox and his son, Kerry. (We need to hear from people that are DOING the mission!)
2. Haven’t heard from Don McLaughlin in a while; I would like to hear Paul Evans, Buddy Bell, and David Fraze. Kent Allen and Shon Smith are also powerful speakers.
3. Duffy Robins, David Nasser, Jim Burns, John Eldredge and Andy Stanley.
4. Anything that would help me to be a better soul-winner!
5. Just a thought (completely open for discussion!) about next year’s Workshop: While I realize that unity is very important for the church, is it not an issue which causes us to turn INWARD? Many of our congregations have STOPPED preaching the Good News (outward focused) because they are arguing issues of unity (inward focused.) For me (being at a pretty “conservative”, inward-focused congregation), the Workshop has always been a breath of fresh air because it reminds me where my focus needs to be! Didn’t Jesus say he came for the sinners? If so, why are we focusing on people who already KNOW Jesus? (i.e. the Christian Church) Again, I agree that Jesus called for a united church, but shouldn’t that be the focus of another workshop?
6. I love the Workshop because everyone always is JOYFUL, PRAYERFUL, and POSITIVE. Several speakers make you THINK, and others are ENCOURAGING (i.e. Greater Alton Church) because they are DOING the Great Commission, and you just want to network and hear what they’re doing!

1. Who are your favorite workshop speakers? Jeff Walling,Rick Atchley, Terry Rush, Marvin Phillips, Mike Cope, Randy Harris, Robert Cox

2. Who would you like to see on the program next year that wasn’t this year or hasn’t ever been on the program before? Mitch Wilburn, Buddy Bell, Kent Allen, Paul Evans

3. What “non-Church of Christ/Christian Church” speaker would you like to see at the next workshop? It’s not that there aren’t alot of great speakers in other churches, I just believe there’s alot of diamonds in the rough within the Church of Christ and Christian Church still

4. What topics would you like to see addressed in 2006? I know we’re making a big push for the call to come back together as churches into one brotherhood. However, instead of completely pushing that, could we push forwarding the soul winning part alot more? I love the topics, like I want to be at your feet Jesus, and The Miracle of Mercy. I am pushing for churches to come back together, but while doing that, I’d love to see more topics not so much on the church coming together, but topics that push us to all be missionaries! Mike Cope was on it when he made a call for all to stand and say that we were missionaries. Let’s focus more on saving the lost, and let our actions push for church unity.

5. If you could change anything about the workshop, what would it be?
I would love to see Free Indeed up there most nights! Let’s get Watershed Worship up there. Those guys are great! Also it seems like fewer people have been the past few years. I would like to see more advertisements. And one other thing. Let’s get the stage back in the middle with the lights off at night, it creates a much more intimate worship I think, and you feel alot closer to the speaker.

6. What about the workshop do you most want to see stay the same?
The passionate worship, keynotes pushing us to step up and win souls, Keith and Jerome (but let’s add Free Indeed), maybe we could get Watershed Worship doing praise and worship after the keynote for a younger crowd in the pavillion after keynotes.

1. Who are your favorite workshop speakers? Rick Atchley and Randy Harris.

2. Who would you like to see on the program next year that wasn’t this year or hasn’t ever been on the program before? Paul Evans

3. What “non-Church of Christ/Christian Church” speaker would you like to see at the next workshop? Lee Strobel

4. What topics would you like to see addressed in 2006? I’m open to many.

5. If you could change anything about the workshop, what would it be? I would have the ZOE Group and Watershed lead worship for the keynotes. Keith and Jerome are great, but I don’t feel they are as effective as the ZOE Group and Watershed. I think this would be a good change. We can always get Keith and Jerome at the Acappella concert or Garnett. Also, a weekend other than Easter.

6. What about the workshop do you most want to see stay the same? The Acappella concert and Thurs/Fri/Sat.

1. Who are your favorite workshop speakers?

Marvin Phillips, The Wallings, Terry Rush, Robert Cox (I’m Biased 8o)

2. Who would you like to see on the program next year that wasn’t this year or hasn’t ever been on the program before?

Max Lucado, Ethnic Preachers

3. What “non-Church of Christ/Christian Church” speaker would you like to see at the next workshop?

Les Brown, Zig Ziglar

4. What topics would you like to see addressed in 2006?

MISSION! MISSION! MISSION!

5. If you could change anything about the workshop, what would it be?

Saturdays keynote should be moved up earlier, or heavily promoted. Robert Cox did an AWSOME job for his first appearence, but so many people had gone home. Also, what was the logic on having the workshop Easter Weekend? Easter is one of the two “biggies” where people who don’t usually go to church drop in. Many of us from Greater Alton drove all nite Saturday so we could be there for our guests. How about having the event the week before of the week after?

6. What about the workshop do you most want to see stay the same?

The venue is awsome. Thu, Fri, Sat, is just right. I agree with the earlier post about promoting a sense of unity during the speaking events. Campfire talks are much more appealing to me than pulpit preaching. (Get a stool… 8o)

Thanks to all who enjoyed the Greater Alton Praise Teams worship! Come over to http://www.GreaterAltonChurch.com and see what we’re up to!

I am from Port Elizabeth South Africa, and had the priviledge to have brother Booker Murphy,brother Jerome Williams and Brother Marvin Phillips in my home. They are excellent speakers and song leaders. Great Men. I have lost contact with them and am trying to find their email addresses along with brother Keith Lancaster whom i also met in Port Elizabeth South Africa. My dream is to one day be able to afford a flight to the states and attend the Tulsa workshop.Brother Booker always spoke fondly of these workshops and how uplifting they are listening to these dynamic speakers. Sharleen Jacobs