NEXT

3 weeks today Next will be underway!

Here are some things you can be praying for this week:

    * The speakers, as they prepare their messages
    * Bob Kauflin and the worship bands as they rehearse and learn new songs
    * Darryl Wenger and Latricia Reichmann as they finalize the plans for audio, lighting, and video
    * And Paul Medler, Brian Whalen and Bethany Smith – the logistics team – in coordinating everything

Thank you for your prayers:  we need God’s grace in order to effectively serve everyone.

The May 2009 issue of the Next Webzine is now live. Here’s what you’ll find inside:

Author Spotlight

D.A. Carson is one of the foremost biblical scholars of our day and has written or edited more books than you’ve probably read, yet at the center of his ministry is the truth of God’s Word. We love that Carson–our spotlighted author this month–is a learned scholar with the heart of a pastor.

Whether you’re new to Carson or an old fan you’ll find some interesting facts about in Justin Taylor’s introduction to the author Who Is D.A. Carson? (For example: He reads about 500 books a year, travels 100,000 miles a year, and no ever calls him “D.A.”) Justin has also put together a beautiful list of Carson resources grouped helpfully around statements like: “I want to learn how Christ and culture relate,” or “I want to work through the entire Bible in a year.”

You’ll also be able to get a taste for Carson’s writing in two excerpts from his work. First, in two excerpts from For the Love of God Carson comments on two incidents in the life of Christ. Then in The Supremacy of Jesus Christ in the Mediation of God’s Love Carson walks through John 17 and explains how the glory of Christ is most clearly seen in the cross of Christ.

Articles

In People, Not Culture Pastor Mark Lauterbach weighs in on the debate about how Christians should relate to culture by suggesting that before we talk about culture, we should talk about people.

In Christian Artists In a Secular World Bob Kauflin helps Christians walk through the sometimes difficult issues of how to relate to secular art as artists.

And in The Cross of Christ in Pictures I share what I’ve learned about the richness of a multi-faceted gospel with the help of John Stott.

Enjoy.

As you may by now have noticed if you reached this blog via the main page of ThisIsNext.org, we are now selling individual session and day passes to the general sessions at Next!

If you live near Baltimore but you can’t join us for the entire conference, you can buy a pass to attend any one of the six general sessions. You can also buy a day pass for Sunday or Monday, which will get you into both general sessions as well as the afternoon breakout session. Individual session passes are $35 and day passes are $65. To buy a pass, simply visit the Registration page, fill out the online order form, and bring a print-out of your confirmation email as your ticket to enter the session hall.

Passes are available for purchase until May 20, or as long as capacity allows.

Would you rather pay $6.35/day for parking at Next instead of $26/day at the hotels or $28/day at other local lots? It’ll take a little more work and planning, but I think you will agree that it’s worth it. Here’s our little way of beating the system:

1. Go to Econopark Express, the website for a long-term parking lot outside of BWI airport. You can either A) Use their “Special Internet Coupon Rate” to make a reservation to park for the dates you’ll be in Baltimore or B) Print out the coupon and bring it with you to receive the Internet Rate when you arrive at the lot.

2. If you’ve never used a lot like this at an airport, here’s how it works. You park your car and a shuttle bus will follow you to your parking spot. For no extra cost, this shuttle will take you directly to the BWI airport. Do this and you’re one step closer to Baltimore.

3. Once at BWI, make your way to the Light Rail. If you’ve never used a Light Rail, it’s a train that will take you straight to the convention center. You pay $1.60 for a one-way fare. Get on the north train and get off at the stop called Convention Center. This stop is located directly in front of the Baltimore Convention Center and all of the hotels are within a one-block walk.

It’s not quite as convenient as parking a few floors below your hotel room, but it’s a lot of money that you could be spending on books, t-shirts, and milkshakes from Johnny Rocket’s, or saving for your retirement.

There are a few other long-term airport parking lots outside of BWI, only slightly more expensive: Pre-Flight Parking and Park ‘N Go Parking

We hope this helps, however roundabout it might be.

One month to go.

It’s at times like this that I can think like the White Rabbit of Alice in Wonderland: “So much to do, so little time…”

Or perhaps like Willy Wonka: “So much time and so little to do. Wait a minute. Strike that. Reverse it.”

Or even the Mad Hatter: “Why, this watch is exactly two days slow.”

But the wisdom I need is from the Apostle Paul: “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness’” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

The planning for Next is ratcheting up. Here are a few things that are being worked on this week that you can pray for:
    * Matt Wahl working on various design items, such as conference guide, signage, etc.
    * Rocio Borda getting prices and selecting a printer for these design items
    * Darryl Wenger finalizing the details with the sound, lighting, and video contractors
    * Drew Garfield finalizing the book list for the bookstore
    * Grant, Paul, Brian and Bethany in their weekly planning meeting
    * Paul finalizing the travel and lodging arrangements for the speakers, worship bands, staff, volunteers, etc.
    * Bethany seeking a Spanish Interpreter
    * The worship teams rehearsing (particularly new songs)
    * Paul coordinating with the facilities, suppliers, contractors, staff, volunteers, etc. to ensure the detailed coordination necessary
    * Brian coordinating with the convention center
    * Paul finalizing contracts with various suppliers
    * Mike & Sarah Thompson working on plans for the ninjas
    * Grant, Paul, Latricia and a number of others, meeting this week to begin putting together the session plans

    * Tim Kerr as he has begun communicating weekly with the Intercessory Prayer Team, who are praying for Next

Ephesians 4:29 says that our words have a ton of power. So much power, that they actually can bring God’s grace to those we talk to.

Think about this. This is amazing. God wants to use YOUR words as a delivery system for his grace to come to another person.

Wow! When I consider this truth, and when I realize the effect my words can have on another person, it makes me want to be intentional and specific in my speaking to others. At Next, I’d encourage you to pray about who you can specifically encourage with your words. Who knows how God plans to use your words? Just be faithful, God will do the rest. Before going, identify a few people that you want to specifically encourage during the conference for a way you see God at work in their life. And, while there, be on the look out for people to encourage! Your small group is a great place to start.

Planning the trip to Next is one the best parts of the whole conference experience. The shared excitement and anticipation of great things on the way up and the tired, reflective ride back provides excellent fodder for creating memories and building community. Next is still a moth away, so here's a few things to start thinking about now while making your travel plans to make the most of your conference traveling:

Step outside of yourself. Sit next someone in your group you don’t know well. Ask silly and serious questions. Make some discoveries. Your iPod will always be there. Opportunities to strengthen relationships will not.

Be aware. Unintentional eavesdropping is a corollary to mass transit, so why not make your conversation worth listening to? There will be lots of ears nearby who don’t know Jesus and your speech is an excellent way to introduce Him. Make the most of the air time you have.

Come prepared to wait. Need some ideas for time-passing activities? Bring a few decks of cards. Play multi-row Telephone Pictionary. One of my favorite travel activity inspiration is 52 Things to Do on an Airplane is a great resource. Even though it’s originally intended for families with small children, it was a lifesaver during a 6-hour-stuck-in-a-plane-sitting-on-the-tarmac traveling experience.

Bring headphone splitters for three. Sometimes movie quotes are just as effective as theological quotes for fellowship. Besides, your MacGyver episodes will be way better if shared across the whole row.

Consider alternate modes of travel. Do something out of the ordinary. Throw a little extra adventure into your trek. For example, trains are awesome. I’ve been a train traveler since I was a wee one and it’s still my favorite means of transportation. It’s really relaxing and the scenery is beautiful. Deep conversations are compliment the laid-back pace.

Taking an extra day before or after to explore and enjoy. Last year my brother and I spent a little extra time after the conference to walk around Louisville and enjoy the restaurants without the lines and time crunch. It was wonderful to enjoy his company without having to worry about rushing to the next session.

One of the things I’m really excited about for the conference this year is the variety of musical elements we’ll have. Bob Kauflin will be leading worship alongside three different bands: the Na band, Zelos & Reilly, in addition to a choir and an orchestra. From the stage and sound perspective this means that the stage will need to change after each session.

And so, we need your help…

We are looking for about four people to help after each session doing sound changeovers. If you have previous sound experience we could use you.

We’re also looking for a couple of strong guys who can help with getting risers and platforms setup for the choir and orchestra. No previous experience needed!

If you would like to be involved in either of these ways, please email me at lreichman-AT-covlife.org with your name, contact information, and previous sound experience, if you have any.

Thanks for considering this way to serve!

Last night the Next team met together and we spent some time sharing some of the stories from past Na conferences. It was so encouraging to be reminded of how faithful God has been and that our confidence is not in our planning and efforts but in His goodness and faithfulness.

This week is the Gospel Coalition conference (http://www.thegospelcoalition.org/conferences/2009) in Chicago. And Next will be there!

We will have a booth throughout the conference, and we will be giving out postcards and brochures, and telling people about the conference.

Brian Whalen is the Main Man. He has organized it all, and he’ll be the main person manning the booth, assisted by Katherine Reynolds, Josh Harris’s secretary… and me.

Josh Harris and Grant Layman are attending the conference, as is CJ Mahaney; Josh and CJ are both speaking in breakout sessions.

Please pray for us all.

Reilly is one of the bands leading worship at this year’s Next Conference and they’ve just finished a new music video. Check it out.

Learn more about the Philly-based Reilly on their website.

Leading up to the conference expect some interviews and maybe even a free song or two from the bands leading worship at Next. Stay tuned.

Last month I posted the following:

“The theme of this year’s conference is the person and work of Jesus Christ. We want to highlight the saving work of Jesus by having people share their conversion testimonies at the general sessions of the conference. As we all come to meet Jesus again, we want to hear how Jesus has met you and changed your life, whether it was 40 years ago or last week. If you would be willing to stand up at Next and share your conversion story, please e-mail it to next-AT-sovgracemin.org.”

I think one of the best parts of my job has been reading the stories that have come in so far. God really works in some incredible ways! We’d love to get some more stories, though. Please consider whether this is something you would be willing to do, and send the text of your story to next-AT-sovgracemin.org.

No one walks away from a message completely changed…or from a retreat for that matter. If we did, man, sanctification would be a piece of cake. But it’s not a piece of cake, in fact, it’s hard work. Merely hearing God’s word isn’t sufficient for change, we must apply it to our lives for there to be fruit. There is a time for the proclamation of God’s word, but that must be accompanied by the application of God’s word.

This is why community groups are such an important part of Next.

Community groups give all the conference attendees the first step towards putting into practice the messages we just heard. As John Stott says, “I do not think it is an exaggeration to say that small groups…are indispensable for our growth into spiritual maturity.” I’d encourage every person attending Next this year to jump into the life of your community group! Our hope is that your community group will help you understand how to take the first steps toward lasting change.

C.J. Mahaney defines fellowship as “the communication of our current relationship with, and experience of, God himself.”

Read that again to let it sink in.

True biblical fellowship with others must be firmly rooted in our own relationship and experience with God. If you are anything like me though, you will quickly realize that experiencing true biblical fellowship is hard work. It’s much easier for me to casually talk about other things, like the Redskins or Orioles, than to talk about God. We won’t drift into fellowship, if anything, we drift away from it. That is why we must make a priority of it and be intentional in our pursuit of fellowship!

This truth applies to Next as well. I would encourage you to begin praying now about your small group experience. It is probably unrealistic to assume you’ll experience deep, heart felt fellowship with every member of your small group, but make a point now to commit to your group and participate fully in your group. God has blessings in store for you through the people of your small group!

I like lists (shout out to my fellow list-makers!). In fact, I love them. I am guilty of adding things to a check list just so I can check them off. So when I think of all that needs to be done prior to Next I can begin to feel a bit overwhelmed….which is why I decided to make a task list and share it with you all. Now I understand not everyone else enjoys lists as much as I do, so if you happen to fall into this category of non-list-makers-because-I-fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants-ers, I shall pray for your kind :). For the rest of us who panic if everything isn’t written down…enjoy!

April 14 – Remind everybody I talk to that “early bird registration” for Next ends April 20
April 15 – Give one person a Next brochure (must be someone who’s not already planning to attend)
April 16 – Hand out more Next brochures – movie theatre? local park? toss them out at the crowds at the top of Disney’s Splash Mountain?
April 17 – Pray for the Admin Mtg Josh is having tomorrow night
April 18-19 – WEEKEND
April 20 – Drink less soda, drink more water like Ricky recommended  
April 21 – Give up because I like Diet Coke too much…and maybe blog about why Diet Coke is a gift from God that Ricky isn’t aware of
April 22 – Write a song about Next
April 23 – Play it on a street corner (okay, this one isn’t gonna happen, I can already tell ya)
April 24 – Get Next promo materials together for this weekend’s singles meeting
April 25-26 – WEEKEND
April 27 – Blog about memories from past New Attitude conferences
April 28 – Think up a creative way to spell out “Next” in a picture (suggestions welcome)
April 29 – Take the picture and make it my profile picture on Facebook
April 30 – Listen to a message from a past New Attitude conference
May 1 – Eagerly await the May issue of the Next Webzine going live
May 2-3 – WEEKEND
May 4 – Re-read C.J. Mahaney’s Living the Cross Centered Life
May 5 – Blog for Next
May 6 – Check the Next blog for current prayer requests
May 7 – Listen to another message from a past New Attitude conference
May 8 – Send an email to family and friends asking them to be praying for the conference and give them specific prayer requests for me
May 9-10 – WEEKEND
May 11 – Read the accounts of Christ’s birth  
May 12 – Read the accounts of Christ’s life on earth
May 13 – Read the accounts of Christ’s death  
May 14 – Read the accounts of Christ’s resurrection  
May 15 – Confirm coffee dates and times with friends from other churches
May 16-17 – WEEKEND
May 18 – Update Facebook status with an hour by hour count-down…ok, maybe not that often.
May 19 – Email the roomies to make sure we know who’s bringing which snacks
May 20 – Reload Starbucks card for the weekend…annnnd treat myself to a mid-week coffee
May 21 – Print off my boarding pass
May 22 – Finish packing (Journal? Check. Bible? Check. Flat iron? Check. Clothes? Check. We’re good to go!)
May 23 – It’s heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeere! Don’t miss the flight!!

Last week, leading up to Easter, I started doing something I wanted to share with everyone: I stopped drinking soda and started drinking more water. And in other unrelated news I last week I also began listening to resurrection-related messages from our Next speakers.

Have you ever wished you could hear Sinclair Ferguson or C.J. Mahaney or one of the other guys speaking at Next preach an Easter message? Well you can. Last week I tracked down messages from each of them. Each message from them is either 1) on the topic of the resurrection, or 2) a message that they preached on Easter. There’s some really good stuff here, check it out. (And drink more water instead of soda while you listen, you’ll feel much better.)

Joshua Harris
The Resurrection and the Life
John 11:1-44

Sinclair Ferguson
Does the Resurrection Really Matter
1 Corinthians 15:1-20

D.A. Carson
Why Doubt the Resurrection - VIDEO
Why Doubt the Resurrection - AUDIO
John 20:24-31

Kevin DeYoung
Worthy Is The Scapegoat
Lev 16

C.J. Mahaney
Death Swallowed Up In Victory
1 Corinthians 15:17

Last, in the April Webzine we featured Rick Gamache’s crucifixion narrative. He read it at his church on Good Friday and, after listening to it, I can tell you that even if you’ve read it before it’s a different experience to hear him read it out loud. You can get the audio here.