Conference Rhythms

Last night as I packed for Following Christ 08, I reflected upon how  conference preparation can suddenly turn from a marathon to a sprint.   No doubt the race to the finish begins at different times  for each of us based upon the complexity of travel plans, conference responsibilities, family size, past history at similar events, personality, support community/friends on site (and back home), etc.   And varies from conference to conference, based upon the above factors and our current state of being (i.e., heart, soul, mind, and strength).

In order for my wife and I to both serve as members of Following Christ’s  intercessory prayer team, we’ve spent months ironing out travel details.   The most complicated  involved arranging  the best possible airline scenerio  for  flying with our six month old and accommodating our  other  three  kids while we’re gone.   Several days ago we  started focusing upon  care-giver confirmations (along with notes of instruction), laundry, packing, wrapping up our simple Christmas plans, and year end tasks.

How does one maintain a proper conference rhythm?   A couple  starter thoughts, please  share some from your perspective as a participant, planner, speaker, etc. …

1. What a blessing to have InterVarsity’s Black Student Leadership Conference, Following Christ 08, National Staff Conference, and Urbana Student Missions Convention  as one year closes and a new one dawns.   Why?   Because they’re preceded by Advent/Christmas and  the conferences  remind delegates to live every day in the Reality of the Person, Work, and Kingdom  of Jesus the Christ.     But no matter the time of year or the direction of the conference (sacred, secular, or a mix of the two), I begin by offering the conference and my participation to God the Father as an act of worship.   In prayer, I seek  the direction of His Word, Spirit, and people as I prepare, participate, and take next steps.
2. Recognizing the significant energy expenditure of the upcoming conference, I’m scheduling some time for rest before, during, at, and afterward.
3. I’m praying through  my travel and conference schedule to discern must attend versus optional sessions/activities so that  I don’t overdo it.   Why?   My wife and  daughter are coming with me and cannot become dwarfed by attractive optional sessions/activities.   In addition, it has been my  conference experience to spend significant time picking up unfinished conversations left from previous conferences and communications.    As such, I’m  arranging  must have appointments ahead of time and scheduling open blocks of time for picking up these conversations.
4. I’m packing some material which  I find restful and/or stress reducing, particularly for the delays which I anticipate and praise God for when He answers my prayers to have them pass over me.     Where’s my stress ball to go along with my book, letters to read/respond to, and magazine?
5. Before  my feet touch the floor at 3:45 am on 12/27 to begin travel, I’ll offer the day to the Lord and ask for his palpable  Presence each step of the way throughout conversations, meals, and presentations.   I’ll do such each day of the conference and wrap-up each day offering all that has gone before to Him and  asking forgiveness for when I have  not followed His way, i.e., sinned.
6. I  ask friends and family to pray for me while I’m at these unique  and challenging settings which offer novel  possibilities for both growth and temptation.   If you’re joining us at Following Christ 08, I’d encourage you to do likewise.   In addition, I’d encourage you to set aside time to visit the prayer room and receive prayer  (information will be available on-site).

This is the day the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.   — Psalm 118:24