Palcon 2010

[Jeremy D. Scott]

I believe that PALCON (http://palcon2010.org/) for the US & Canada has begun. Just posting this thread for people's reflections, reports, etc.

I'm going to register today. Looking forward to seeing Naznetters there.

[Jim Abrams]

Registered and ready. My experience at PALCON is that it is heavily weighted toward the clergy. I am curious how many lay people are registering?

[Jon Twitchell]

Registered and ready. My experience at PALCON is that it is heavily weighted toward the clergy. I am curious how many lay people are registering?

Hey roommate...

;)

Did you happen to read the list of who was invited to attend?


The gathering is designed for clergy, both assigned and unassigned, serving on the front lines of ministry. All deacons and elders are invited to attend along with district licensed ministers. Senior pastors, chaplains, evangelists, staff ministers and missionaries on furlough are welcome. We are inviting those who are retired as well as those who are students.

[Jim Abrams]

Nope. Sorry, just took the "L" in PALCON to mean Lay - Leaders. No wonder, that totally explains my query. Thanks.

[Ryan Scott]

Registered and ready. My experience at PALCON is that it is heavily weighted toward the clergy. I am curious how many lay people are registering?

The "L" doesn't stand for Laymen anymore. It's Pastors and Leaders conference now, which seems a bit more appropriate. I will be at PALCON at ENC - my first official duty as associate pastor - not a bad deal.

[Jon Twitchell]

Well... looks like we ought to have a NazNet meeting at ENC at least... :) Who else is going?

[Nelson Bradford]

Olivet to host PALCON May 17-20

http://www.olivet.edu/news/newsDetails.aspx?Channel=%2fChannels%2fSite+Wide&WorkflowItemID=206c79f6-f36a-4116-8cfb-cd91714fb8c4

[Mike Schutz]

I'll be at the PALCON at ENC.

My favorite memory from the last PALCON was my need to grab my sleeping bag and find an alternate place to sleep, as my roommate snored so loudly. An older gentleman, he is the father-in-law of a pastor on our district who is a friend of mine. On the last day, my friend asked if I had gotten any sleep. When I explained that I was sleeping in a lounge due to the snoring, he replied, "Sorry. That's why I am not rooming with him. Even my mother-in-law can't sleep with him."

Reminded me of my college days rooming with Bob Evans!

[Ryan Plott]

I'll be working at the PALCON at Olivet. Maybe I'll meet some Naznetters. I'll be the 6'4'' guy in the sound booth with long blonde hair.

[Cam Pence]

palcon at mnu june 1-4

[Kazimiera Fraley]

I will be at the ENC Palcon!

[John Reilly]

I will be at NTS during Palcon at ENC.

[Wilson Deaton]

I believe that PALCON (http://palcon2010.org/) for the US & Canada has begun. Just posting this thread for people's reflections, reports, etc.

I'm going to register today. Looking forward to seeing Naznetters there.

I decided I had to limit conference time and chose to forego PALCON in favor of a DIFFERENT CONFERENCE to be held this fall in New England!

Wilson

[Rich Schmidt]

I opted not to go to the PALCON at ONU next week. Looking at the schedule, it just didn't grab me, especially for the number of days I'd be committing to it.

A couple of my pastor friends are going, though, so hopefully they'll share all the really interesting stuff with me afterward. :)

[Ryan Scott]

I opted not to go to the PALCON at ONU next week. Looking at the schedule, it just didn't grab me, especially for the number of days I'd be committing to it.

A couple of my pastor friends are going, though, so hopefully they'll share all the really interesting stuff with me afterward.

I'm not too excited about the workshop lineup - a few of the speakers are going to be good. I'm going mostly because it should be a good opportunity to meet a lot of pastors in the area on my second day in the new job.

[Jeremy D. Scott]

I'm not too excited about the workshop lineup - a few of the speakers are going to be good. I'm going mostly because it should be a good opportunity to meet a lot of pastors in the area on my second day in the new job.

Me too.

Though I'm hopeful for the speakers, I'm all "conferenced out" and have been for a while. (This is besides the fact that with the internet, you can "get" much of this kind of stuff without leaving home or office.) I'm really looking forward to being with and talking with people.

[Bob Evans]

I'll be at the PALCON at ENC.

My favorite memory from the last PALCON was my need to grab my sleeping bag and find an alternate place to sleep, as my roommate snored so loudly. An older gentleman, he is the father-in-law of a pastor on our district who is a friend of mine. On the last day, my friend asked if I had gotten any sleep. When I explained that I was sleeping in a lounge due to the snoring, he replied, "Sorry. That's why I am not rooming with him. Even my mother-in-law can't sleep with him."

Reminded me of my college days rooming with Bob Evans!

Mike if I kept you awake I am sorry. If I smored I never knew it because I was asleep and you never told me. To my defence though Nan has slept alot closer to me than you ever did and did not say anything until a few years back. Because of that conversation I now have a sleep apnia machine and as a result don't snore. I look like Darth Vador when I sleep but I sleep alot better.

[G R 'Scott' Cundiff]

I'm going to SNU Palcon - are there any NazNet pastors attending?

Also, I haven't registered and don't have anyone to designate as a roommate. Non-smoker, Christian, male preferred.

[Mike Wooldridge]

The "L" doesn't stand for Laymen anymore. It's Pastors and Leaders conference now, which seems a bit more appropriate. I will be at PALCON at ENC - my first official duty as associate pastor - not a bad deal.
I guess I missed it Ryan. Where is your first staff assignment.


I'm going to SNU Palcon - are there any NazNet pastors attending?

Also, I haven't registered and don't have anyone to designate as a roommate. Non-smoker, Christian, male preferred.
SNU was still a non-smoking campus the last I heard, Scott. ;)

[Ryan Scott]

I guess I missed it Ryan. Where is your first staff assignment.

Pennsville, NJ.

[Dennis M. Scott]

I plan to be at the ENC palcon.

[Scott Sherwood]

I'll be working at the PALCON at Olivet. Maybe I'll meet some Naznetters. I'll be the 6'4'' guy in the sound booth with long blonde hair.

I'll be at ONU tomorrow. I just returned from sabbatical on april 4, so being gone 3-4 days is not really thrilling me. It will be great once I'm there I'm sure, although I'll be fighting the temptation to skip the non-plenary sessions in favor of library time. Hank I'll look for you at the sound booth. I'll be the portly one with no hair. Good luck picking that description out of a crowd at a pastors convention! :)

[Rich Schmidt]

I'll be working at the PALCON at Olivet. Maybe I'll meet some Naznetters. I'll be the 6'4'' guy in the sound booth with long blonde hair.


Hank I'll look for you at the sound booth. I'll be the portly one with no hair. Good luck picking that description out of a crowd at a pastors convention! :)

You guys know that this would all be much simpler if you would just upload a photo of yourself for your avatar, right? :)

[Scott Sherwood]

You guys know that this would all be much simpler if you would just upload a photo of yourself for your avatar, right? :)

Good thought. I've replaced my old avatar with a close-up of my wife and me.

(with no disrespect intended to the winner or the loser of our last presidential election)

[Jon Twitchell]

You guys know that this would all be much simpler if you would just upload a photo of yourself for your avatar, right? :)

No kidding.

At least if I ran into Ryan Scott, I'd recognize him!

[Rich Schmidt]

No kidding.

At least if I ran into Ryan Scott, I'd recognize him!

Hmmm.... About as well as we'd recognize you, I suppose...

[Ryan Scott]

No kidding.

At least if I ran into Ryan Scott, I'd recognize him!


But that's mostly because we've met before.

[Ryan Plott]

Hank I'll look for you at the sound booth. I'll be the portly one with no hair. Good luck picking that description out of a crowd at a pastors convention! :)

I'm always up for a challenge.:smile:

[Ryan Plott]

You guys know that this would all be much simpler if you would just upload a photo of yourself for your avatar, right? :)

Take away the beard, the crown, and substitute blond hair for the black, and essentially that is me. I don't know who made my avatar(a result of being bored and googling images of myself) but they were almost spot on.

[Glenn Messer]

I attended the Palcon at TNU. I do think it was perhaps better than some I have attended in the past. I particularly enjoyed Dr. Michael Henderson. His insights were challenging and relevant. His is the only CD I brought home with me.

Seminars which were available to us and which I attended were 1) Emergent-cy in the Church [I thought it was a fair presentation and not entirely one-sided. Presenters were Steve Hoskins/Dwight Gunter. They are probably more conservative than other presenters that some of you may hear. They did hammer the Concerned folk.]
2) The Theological Legacy of H. Ray Dunning [I'm sure this is probably regional, but he has had a great influence on TNU and I was interested in his perspective after 40 years.]
3) Community Gardening ??? presented by Jason Adkins. I think it is a TNU program associated with Social Justice studies. I'm probably at political opposites with this young man, but I greatly admire him and his enthusiasm and his passion to be involved in his community. I really wish him great success in what he's trying to do.
4) Preaching Controversy Presented by Dan Boone. I thought it was well presented and spoke to issues that are too often and too long ignored or white washed. In my opinion, the church has given away it's authority to speak to the moral issues of our day. We have sacrificed some authority to the 'god of legalism' and some to the 'god of political correctness'. In many ways I don't think the secular world cares what we think about these issues anymore.
5) A Look at Social Justice Presented by Jamie Casier. Again, probably my opposite politically, but a fine and admirable young man. I am glad to see TNU moving in the direction of studies in social justice (whole new department). I really came away believing that if we could sit down together and share in respectful, honest and open dialogue, then we have a lot that we could learn from each other.

My wife just called and suppers' ready. You'll understand if I stop right here.

[Jeremy D. Scott]

I attended the Palcon at TNU. I do think it was perhaps better than some I have attended in the past. I particularly enjoyed Dr. Michael Henderson. His insights were challenging and relevant. His is the only CD I brought home with me.

I really appreciated his book on John Wesley's class meeting (http://www.amazon.com/Making-Disciples-One-Conversation-at-Time/dp/0834123002) when I read it in seminary.


Presented by Jamie Casier. Again, probably my opposite politically, but a fine and admirable young man. I am glad to see TNU moving in the direction of studies in social justice (whole new department). I really came away believing that if we could sit down together and share in respectful, honest and open dialogue, then we have a lot that we could learn from each other.

Jamie is an ENC graduate. As is Jamie Gates, of a similar position at PLNU. ENC grads leading the way in social justice and Christian responsibility. :smilies0262:

Great post, Glenn. This was the kind of review I was hoping to get. I'd love to sit down with you for longer than we met in the past. I think you're right. :smile:

[Ryan Scott]

Those all sound like better workshop offerings than those I saw on our list. Glad to hear your report. The ONU PALCON is ongoing now - perhaps we'll get a similar report from them.

[Hans Deventer]

I attended the Palcon at TNU.

And gave a very good review. You've set the standard, Glenn! Thanks so much!

[Ryan Plott]

We were very understaffed for the ONU sound recording crew so I ended up working in a variety of workshops instead of the services. I didn't get to listen to the entirety of any one workshop, but all of these are workshops that were in my buildings and were very interesting to me when I did get to hear them.

1.Emerging Church 101-Carl Leth and Mark Holcomb This workshop placed alongside of each other what the emerging church values, what they are reacting against, and how the Wesleyan tradition compares to Emergent thought. This comparison then pointed out the similarities and dissimilarities between Wesleyan and Emergent/Emerging thought(There was a survey of Emergent thinkers, the movement was not totalized) and showed where dialogue could happen between the two in areas where they are dissimilar. Overall, I thought it was well done. It pointed out points for dialogue between the two which I thought was good. Holcomb and Leth were an interesting combo for this presentation also, given their relative stances on the Emerging Church. I have the handouts from the presentation. I will try to post them on this thread.

Caley Spangenberg,Steve Spangenberg, Joseph Lee, Cindi Schemflpig - Family Ministry Strategies for Your Church Most churches approach the church through age group ministry, but this workshop emphasized a holistic approach to the church in working through family systems. The presenters were four of the pastors on staff at Kankakee First Church and it was so compelling an attending pastor said he was going to go back to his church and fire his children's staff and start over. A statement made while I was in the workshop was that there was not 1 pastor for every age group, there were 4 pastors for all age groups and the workshop attempted to show how that all worked out. I thought it was a very interesting concept and philosophy of ministry but thought it fell short in the definition of "family". It only really dealt with biological families as opposed to functional families. People like myself(single, no kids) and older adults with no kids would probably feel left out at a church that emphasized this model. This is a ministry philosophy that would be very good for a church with lots of young couples with children. I work at KFCotN as a maintenance sub-contractor and it was interesting to hear the ministry philosophy straight from the pastors. KFCotN is definitely attendance heavy in favor of those with no kids.

Bob Crew-Funding the Ministry outside the offering plate This presentation pointed out through statistics that 9% of Americans wealth is in liquid assets while 91% is in non-liquid assets such as land, houses, cars, etc. This workshop was a way to get practical tips on how the church can access the other 91% of their local congregation's wealth. Thoughts that were being tossed around when I was in there were people donating things to church to be sold with proceeds going to offering(receipt could be given in turn, tax deduction for donater) and asking people to prayerfully consider adding their local church to their estate plans. There were more but I had to leave. Very interesting workshop though, according to the research presented it works at churches across all socio-economic standards and even though they tend to be given few and far between they are 100-400% bigger than a cash offering coming from the 9% of liquid assets. I don't know if this was recorded right, Bob decided to turn off the recorder after his workshop was done which may have blanked the disc. Here is his organization's website.

http://nazarenefoundation.org/churches

Woodie Stevens - “Principles and Techniques for Closing the Backdoor-This workshop was really aimed at how to stop the bleeding when it comes to losing church members in the U.S. According to the stats he presented, the Nazarene margin of gain was 90,000 in 2009 after total loss was subtracted from total gain (give or take a few since i don't remember the exact number). The question driving this seminar was how to be a good local Nazarene church and there were brainstorming sessions and questions throughout. Stevens landed them on being incarnational in approach to evangelism, holiness centered, and community involved. Essentially, he encouraged them to be the church that goes beyond Sunday and one that embraces their denomination heritage. I wish I could have stayed in this one longer but I was not able to. Very good session in my opinion.

Dr. Dennis Kinlaw's sermon is worth buying. I recommend it to everyone reading this post. Copies can be bought at http://www.cornerstoneaudiovideo.com/

I think the one thing I liked most about this conference as I was walking around was listening in on pastor's conversations about the local church, their struggles, and their encouragement to each other. Made me proud to be in this denomination. I do not really think my generation would be as polarized to the church as they are if they saw what I saw at PALCON, an amazing depth of love, caring, and thoughtful reflection shown by pastors agonizing over how to make the church better.

[David Warren]

Was at the ONU Palcon last week, as always the best times were the fellowship with other pastors. However Hanks comment on Dr. Dennis Kinlaw is correct. If you didn't listen to anything else this year I'd recommend you listen to it. At 87 he's still a brilliant communicator and a man seeking the heart of God.

[Mark Bolerjack]

Betty and I are planning to attend the SNU Palcon. Since we already live here, we won't be staying on campus. And, since I am working another job, I will only pay for the one day session, tho I can drop in on some of the other services/sessions. Looking forward to it.

[Jeremy D. Scott]

Betty and I are planning to attend the SNU Palcon. Since we already live here, we won't be staying on campus.

Yeah, the options aren't too friendly for those who live close to the campuses. If I didn't live near ENC, I probably wouldn't be going (due to four children - I just can't take off for 3-4 days). So having to pay full price for several meals and a room I won't be using is unfortunate.

[Mike Schutz]

I was disappointed with this as well. I planned to stay with relatives near campus and commute, but that is not available as a registration option.

[Hans Deventer]

I was disappointed with this as well. I planned to stay with relatives near campus and commute, but that is not available as a registration option.

Did you ask if they could offer it anyway?

[Ryan Scott]

Did you ask if they could offer it anyway?

They said the cost is being subsidized in a way that doesn't allow for them to give discounts. I wonder if the schools are eating the cost of food and lodging - and we're just paying conference costs?

[Jeremy D. Scott]

ENC PALCON Attendees:

Do we want to try and get together? I propose that we do so for the Wednesday (June 9th) lunch (12:00) at the furthest back corner from the entrance of the Commons (cafeteria). Someone bring a camera.

Anyone?

[Jon Twitchell]

Sounds like a plan.

[Mark Lail]

I can be there, but I usually just lurk :-)

[Jim Abrams]

Count me in.

[Mike Schutz]

Present!

[Ryan Scott]

Sounds good to me.

[Melissa DeBono]

Sure.

[Dennis M. Scott]

I've made myself a note.

[Ryan Scott]

I've made myself a note.

What are the chances you still have that note on Wednesday?

[Mike Schutz]

Scott Daniels brought some serious game to his message tonight. Just what I needed - but also what many needed. He really modeled what he preached - he was a priest to all of us while also being prophetic.

[Ryan Scott]

We took a picture at lunch today - I guess Jeremy hasn't gotten it uploaded just yet.

[Jeremy D. Scott]

524

Left to Right Back Row: David & Karen Troxler, Jon Twitchell, Jim Abrams, Dennis Scott
Left to Right Front Row: Ryan Scott, Jeremy Scott, Melissa DeBono, Kaza Fraley, Mike Schutz

I saw Gary Creeley last night, but he had to go home and Scott Daniels spent the day in the greatest city in the world and wasn't there for our picture. Who else am I forgetting?

(And yes, I like bananas.)

[Shea Zellweger]

I demand a retake tomorrow whilst I'm there.

[Jon Twitchell]

I demand a retake tomorrow whilst I'm there.

Thanks for the warning, bro.

[Jeremy D. Scott]

I had a great time at ENC PALCON 2010 (http://palcon2010.org/eastern-nazarene-college).

I signed up and paid for the conference in anticipation of sitting, eating, and talking with peers. This was indeed a wonderful aspect of the time. The food was great and I very much so need the solidarity, challenge, and mutual understanding that comes from being with other leaders.

But I was surprised at how much I enjoyed and was challenged by the worship gatherings, the preaching, and the "workshops."

Worship Services
The team that lead the music was from Brooklyn Beulah CotN. They were superb. I really appreciated their spirit and leadership. Yet another reminder to me that it's not about style. I sometimes found the breaks in worship by commercials distracting, but others didn't seem to notice. It was also "interesting" to me as a lover of the Eucharist that in the first service we began with communion and ended with a sermon, which has some implications, but others didn't seem to notice. I went to every service, which I didn't expect to do.

Having just read The Next Evangelicalism which particularly blasts conferences for being grip-held by Western white systems of leadership, I really appreciated the intentional variety of speakers: by gender, by ethnicity, preaching style, and even theology. I could listen to Scott or Ron for every session, but it wouldn't be the best for me as a part of a larger church, big tent, whatever you want to call it. The diversity was very good and I'm better for it.

Scott Daniels - I really appreciated what Scott shared (again). He gives me hope in the CotN.

Gabriel Salgerno - By far the highlight of the week for me. This Puerto Rican from NYC was speaking my language. ...and yet, I felt like he was speaking the language of everyone present. I wish that everyone could hear his message*** (I do see that he is scheduled to be at Point Loma's PALCON).

Ron Benefiel - I've heard Ron speak probably a couple dozen times now. I've not heard him speak quite like this (he was more animated than usual). There was nothing new in the message, but it was good to hear it all again (from somebody else).

Workshops (https://custom.cvent.com/28646A71DFE545F29A7DB8A54ADB1DDE/files/event/172dbb8614874de58f4a85275c1aba22/af57a172a2e644d99268a76ba37109fe.doc)
We had four sessions. I actually appreciated the limited number of sessions.
Roger Hahn & Ron Benefiel had a two-part session on Missional Theology & Practice. I went to both and it was a good refresher and challenge. I really appreciate the seminary. The second session I went to was simply a DS listening to us pastors share concerns, joys, etc. I appreciated the time.

***Okay, the time has come and is now well-past that the CotN review whatever arrangement it has with Cornerstone Audio who records and sells every session at our conferences and events. We are in a day and age where stuff like this can easily be and should easily be made available as widely as possible. The fact that electronic copies (MP3s) are unavailable and that the only way of taking these recordings home is via a $10 CD (for ONE session!) is truly sad and unfortunate. There may be restrictions with certain contractual speakers, but for the most part, everything should be distributed widely. It was reported that at the PALCONs that already occurred prior to ENC's, thousands of CDs were sold. Just because people buy them doesn't make it right. I would be happy if everyone's registration cost had an extra $5 built in (or even $10) to cover the cost of making the recordings available to everyone electronically.

[David Troxler]

I had a great time at ENC PALCON 2010 (http://palcon2010.org/eastern-nazarene-college).

I signed up and paid for the conference in anticipation of sitting, eating, and talking with peers. This was indeed a wonderful aspect of the time. The food was great and I very much so need the solidarity, challenge, and mutual understanding that comes from being with other leaders.

But I was surprised at how much I enjoyed and was challenged by the worship gatherings, the preaching, and the "workshops."

Worship Services
The team that lead the music was from Brooklyn Beulah CotN. They were superb. I really appreciated their spirit and leadership. Yet another reminder to me that it's not about style. I sometimes found the breaks in worship by commercials distracting, but others didn't seem to notice. It was also "interesting" to me as a lover of the Eucharist that in the first service we began with communion and ended with a sermon, which has some implications, but others didn't seem to notice. I went to every service, which I didn't expect to do.

Having just read The Next Evangelicalism which particularly blasts conferences for being grip-held by Western white systems of leadership, I really appreciated the intentional variety of speakers: by gender, by ethnicity, preaching style, and even theology. I could listen to Scott or Ron for every session, but it wouldn't be the best for me as a part of a larger church, big tent, whatever you want to call it. The diversity was very good and I'm better for it.

Scott Daniels - I really appreciated what Scott shared (again). He gives me hope in the CotN.

Gabriel Salgerno - By far the highlight of the week for me. This Puerto Rican from NYC was speaking my language. ...and yet, I felt like he was speaking the language of everyone present. I wish that everyone could hear his message*** (I do see that he is scheduled to be at Point Loma's PALCON).

Ron Benefiel - I've heard Ron speak probably a couple dozen times now. I've not heard him speak quite like this (he was more animated than usual). There was nothing new in the message, but it was good to hear it all again (from somebody else).

Workshops (https://custom.cvent.com/28646A71DFE545F29A7DB8A54ADB1DDE/files/event/172dbb8614874de58f4a85275c1aba22/af57a172a2e644d99268a76ba37109fe.doc)
We had four sessions. I actually appreciated the limited number of sessions.
Roger Hahn & Ron Benefiel had a two-part session on Missional Theology & Practice. I went to both and it was a good refresher and challenge. I really appreciate the seminary. The second session I went to was simply a DS listening to us pastors share concerns, joys, etc. I appreciated the time.

***Okay, the time has come and is now well-past that the CotN review whatever arrangement it has with Cornerstone Audio who records and sells every session at our conferences and events. We are in a day and age where stuff like this can easily be and should easily be made available as widely as possible. The fact that electronic copies (MP3s) are unavailable and that the only way of taking these recordings home is via a $10 CD (for ONE session!) is truly sad and unfortunate. There may be restrictions with certain contractual speakers, but for the most part, everything should be distributed widely. It was reported that at the PALCONs that already occurred prior to ENC's, thousands of CDs were sold. Just because people buy them doesn't make it right. I would be happy if everyone's registration cost had an extra $5 built in (or even $10) to cover the cost of making the recordings available to everyone electronically.

I would second Jeremy's observations. I also picked up several extra copies of Gabriel Salguero's message to give away to some friends. I had at least two other attendees tell me that his message alone was worth the 3-day $179 registration fee. I concur.

dave t

[Jim Abrams]

I would second Jeremy's observations. I also picked up several extra copies of Gabriel Salguero's message to give away to some friends. I had at least two other attendees tell me that his message alone was worth the 3-day $179 registration fee. I concur.

dave t

I concur and was one of those who believes Gabriel Salguero's message was worth the trip to PALCON. I also secured a copy of Dr. Kinlaw's presentation from ONU. Came home renewed, refreshed and affirmed. I thought that ENC was a very hospitable host. I really enjoyed my time on campus interacting with students, faculty and staff.

[Jeremy D. Scott]

Gabriel Salgerno - By far the highlight of the week for me. This Puerto Rican from NYC was speaking my language. ...and yet, I felt like he was speaking the language of everyone present. I wish that everyone could hear his message*** (I do see that he is scheduled to be at Point Loma's PALCON).

I opened my email today to an invitation from Sojourner's to a national conference call on immigration reform. The panel of pastors and leaders includes Rev. Salguerno. You can see more here (http://go.sojo.net/sojourners/events/clergy_teleconference_immigration/details.tcl?member_key=wdkeb36rojdew7ei&).

[Jon Twitchell]

My observations match much of what Jeremy said... However, I did walk away reminded that I often think that most worship teams and conference planners tend to over-estimate the energy and attention span of the congregation...

I also agree with Jeremy's assessment of the audio distribution... Downloadable MP3s are not only more economical, they're provide a better chance for wider distribution, as well as a more ecologically sensitive distribution method (see my thread on Creation Care (http://www.naznet.com/community/showthread.php?846-Creation-Care)!).

With those two 'negatives' aside, this PALCON was immensely valuable to me, fulfilling needs for rest/worship/renewal/training/equipping/ AND fellowship. One of the GREAT values of PALCON is the ability for cross-pollination of ideas and relationships.

I would be a strong supporter of this event occurring on a more consistent basis... even doing four regions on the even-numbered years and four regions on the odd-numbered years. I'd even support transitioning out of the district Ministers&Mates Retreat model in favor of a more comprehensive conference like this. In any case, I believe this needs to happen more often then simply whenever the BGS & Clergy Services decides we should have another one.

[Mike Schutz]

One thing that some may not have noticed is that the cost this year was approx. 50% of what it was for the previous PALCON. There was much less of a GMC presence, and there were only three folks there from Dan Copp's office. I appreciate this use of resources.

I completely concur with the suggestion regarding the dissemination of resources.

That being said, I missed Gabriel Salguero's message, as I needed to leave early to attend to issues at home. How can I get it?

[Jim Abrams]

I listened to Gabriel's message again on the way home. Almost rear-ended an suv because I was so deep in thought. You really had to be there to get the full humor. He was very very expressive saying almost as much non-verbally as you will hear on the recording. I am almost certain that Jeremy Scott will mail his personal copy of the message to you for less than $50! Or you could order it with the form given to you in your PALCON Packet.

[David Pettigrew]

Any other naznetters going to be at SNU Palcon this week?

[Kevin Rector]

Any other naznetters going to be at SNU Palcon this week?

I'll be there!

[David Pettigrew]

Let's grab lunch one day, and we'll snap a naznet pic.

[Kevin Rector]

Let's grab lunch one day, and we'll snap a naznet pic.

Absolutely!!

[G R 'Scott' Cundiff]

I'm in Ardmore tonight and am looking forward to Palcon this week.

[Kevin Rector]

I just bumped into THE Scott Cundiff!! First time I think I've seen him outside of the Naznet booth at GA, so exciting to learn that he's not actually an animatronic robot.

[G R 'Scott' Cundiff]

I just bumped into THE Scott Cundiff!! First time I think I've seen him outside of the Naznet booth at GA, so exciting to learn that he's not actually an animatronic robot.


Sorry for the quick hello - as you could tell I had my hands full of stuff and was happy to get a room assignment so I could unload. Traveling with the RV so we can head out on vacation following Palcon, I didn't bother with a suitcase - after all, I'm towing a 30 foot one behind the truck!

[Mike Schutz]

Have fun, gang!

[Kevin Rector]

"Our job is not to grow a church, our job is to make Christlike disciples." -Jesse Middendorf

[Mark Bolerjack]

"Our job is not to grow a church, our job is to make Christlike disciples." -Jesse Middendorf

This is the only note that I made from tonight's sermon. Great!
Betty is recovering from some bronchial pneumonia, and we had just returned from a quick weekend trip to Denver, so she was tired. She will be with me tomorrow. I think I saw David P from across the auditorium, but did not see any other naznetters.

[David Pettigrew]

Dr. Middendor's sermon tonight was timely. I needed to be reminded to keep the church God's given me to pastor and the family God's given me to lead in God's hands.

[G R 'Scott' Cundiff]

Random Monday SNU Palcon Thoughts...



The notebook they're handing out is the best one ever, and I've seen them all.
SNU Food is always great - I can't believe the students complain about it.
It was hot and humid this afternoon, but unlike Houston, it cools off here at night.
What's with the candles all over the platform?
I'll stand for prayer but I'm not interested in standing for 45 minutes of music.
The PA System has a hum in it.
It's always great seeing old friends, NazNet friends, and having nice conversations with people I've not been privileged to meet before.
It's interesting watching a couple of guitar players earnestly strumming two chords again and again and again and again.
It's also interesting hearing singers singing four words again and again and again with such intensity. They're more spiritual than I am.
I like the old songs integrated with the new ones, it adds depth and context for me.
GS Mittendorf prayed a wonderful Communion prayer
I suspect that the new wine we had for communion wasn't all that "new."
A fairly large pulpit had to be moved to center stage for the sermon. What happened to the fancy lexan ones?
I liked the suggestion that pastors write out the story of their call so they can be read by future generations.
I appreciated the affirmation by the GS that we believe God calls people to the ministry.
It's very rare for me to listen to someone else preach. I think I'm out of practice listening. Not a good thing.
I appreciate the tender heart of Jess Mittendorf.
The altar call was textbook Preacher's Retreat/First Night of Palcon, any other ministry directed to pastors. I guess it's needed.
I noted that they left the GS's name on the video for the whole sermon. It seems strange to me to put his name up there when he's preaching such a great message about Jesus.
I heard several mentions of Palcon being a "Community of grace/faith" - really, I kind of doubt that a 2 day conference has a chance of being a "community" of anything, but I know it's the current buzz word.

[Kevin Rector]

There was a song where they sang "whisper his name - Jesus" then and other variations on that theme for like 5 or 6 minutes. I kept telling myself, "be gracious this might be just what someone else needs.... be gracious this might be just what someone else needs...." It wasn't for me, but maybe it was just what someone needed.

I think it was the best sermon I'd heard from Middendorf.

[David Pettigrew]

I agree with Scott and Kevin.

I was supposed to help with registration, so I got up really early and got here really early. Turns out they found volunteers to help with registration (all much younger and cuter than me.) Anyway, after a long day I struggled to stay awake during the evening service. The message really targeted where I'm at right now, though. It was nice to own my inadequacy, and not hear yet another sermon on how I can grow my church.

"Singing as worship" in general is a struggle for me right now, but it seemed most around me were into it. The musicians were extremely talented and did a great job w/no train wrecks.

[G R 'Scott' Cundiff]

I need to use a lighter touch in reporting on SNU Palcon, otherwise I won't get out of it what I need to...anyway:



Often at denominational meetings I feel that "how to have church" is being modeled for us. For instance, "contemporary" has been the approach for several years now. If that's true, I wonder what candles and a darkened "sanctuary" is telling us?
I went to the emergent worship with Tim Crutcher -- he knocked the ball out of the park - over the "CENTER" field fence!
Mark Hollingsworth's video of his GS brother is really funny - then, to his, and everyone else's surprise, Stan Toler did a walk on.
I note more people sitting in the back, elevated portion of Herrick for the service, don't know why.
The praise team did a traditional hymn and did a terrific job with it. A lot of times contemporary bands don't know what to do with hymns, but these folks did.
Cliff Sanders brought a good message on the relational aspect of Holiness. Very listenable.
My favorite statement from the message: some need to stop worrying about loving God and begin focusing on letting God love us.

[John F Martin]

http://www.snu.edu/southern-nazarene-university-hosts-palcon-2010

SNU PALCON started this morning. Above is the link on the SNU website, including a downloadable pdf of the workshop schedule. If I was still working on campus I would have been in the middle of helping to host ...

[Shea Zellweger]

http://www.snu.edu/southern-nazarene-university-hosts-palcon-2010

SNU PALCON started this morning. Above is the link on the SNU website, including a downloadable pdf of the workshop schedule. If I was still working on campus I would have been in the middle of helping to host ...

Based on the posts from Scott and Kevin, I thought it started yesterday...

[John F Martin]

Ryan, I actually think that is way closer to the truth than you might imagine. I recall hearing at SNU before I left that the funding gap had become another denominational expectation on the schools to step in and fill on their own.

[Ryan Scott]

Often at denominational meetings I feel that "how to have church" is being modeled for us. For instance, "contemporary" has been the approach for several years now. If that's true, I wonder what candles and a darkened "sanctuary" is telling us?

I think, especially in this area, you have to move from a mindset of "denominational" event to a "regional" one. I wonder who was on the planning committee on your region. Most of those details were decided upon by Pastors and DSs from your region. I know the ENC PALCON worship experience was quite different. I would have probably preferred what you have, or at least a little variety.

[David Pettigrew]

Jeff Johnson, pastor of Houston First and son of Talmadge, was in charge of worship planning for SNU Palcon. As Ryan indicated, it was done region by region.

[Kevin Rector]

Jeff Johnson, pastor of Houston First and son of Talmadge, was in charge of worship planning for SNU Palcon. As Ryan indicated, it was done region by region.

Well, he has certainly put together a very talented bunch.

[Kevin Rector]

I'm finding myself on a ridiculous emotional roller coaster this Palcon. Maybe I just need more sleep.

[Hans Deventer]

Scott, I appreciate your reports but I'm not quite sure what you mean with this statement:



I went to the emergent worship with Tim Crutcher -- he knocked the ball out of the park - over the "CENTER" field fence!

[David Pettigrew]

So, are we gonna get a pic at lunch today?

[Ryan Scott]

Scott, I appreciate your reports but I'm not quite sure what you mean with this statement:

He hit it to "center" as opposed to "left" or "right."

[G R 'Scott' Cundiff]

He hit it to "center" as opposed to "left" or "right."

Sorry Hans, during baseball season the baseball metaphors abound!

[G R 'Scott' Cundiff]

More Palcon...

-The two workshops by Dr. Tim Crutcher were really good. He handled Open Thesim very well.
-I was also impressed by the level of some of the questions and comments by pastors, we have some sharp people
-Evening service featured more oldies - not hymns or gospel songs, but familiar P&W songs - and the congregation responded by singing them to the top of their lungs rather than standing and listening to the praise team
-The extended prayer time was both wonderful and not - everyone was to make small groups and then, each pastor was to pray out loud his or her greatest concern while the others "agreed" in prayer - I kind of doubt that anyone is going to express their "greatest" need in prayer in a circle with 2 or 3 strangers - however, the sound and scene were wonderful - hearing all those voices lifted in prayer took me back to concerts of prayer I've been part of in years gone by
-Orlando Serrano brought a challenging message on being fishers of men
-we have facilities, technology and we impress people with our program and friendliness, but people still need done for them what only God can do
-the Word still needs to become flesh - through us
-his English is excellent, but still, one has to pay attention to get it all, because of that the congregation was especially quiet as people listened more intently, and sometimes folks missed his humor or at least responded to it a beat or two behind

[John F Martin]

Scott, David, Kevin (and others) . . . welcome to my town!! I am glad our temps are more bearable this week than last week! I hope you are extremely blessed by PALCON!

[Betty Bolerjack]

So, are we gonna get a pic at lunch today?If we are, I guess I'd better kick it into high gear and get myself over there! I woke up coughing a lot this morning so decided I'd better stay in bed a little longer even though it meant missing McDonald.

[G R 'Scott' Cundiff]

Wednesday morning:



-good humor, song service, and drama
-the moving of the pulpit back to center stage following the song service still feels strange and intrusive to me - I guess I'm out of it, but to me the song service is to contribute to the preaching ministry, to stop the service to move the pulpit back breaks the flow - I'm probably missing something here, but I'm still not sure why the pulpit would be in the way during the singing
-Sitting under the ministry of Gorden McDowell is a real privilege. I felt I'd been sitting at the feet of mature wisdom all through his ministry
-He says there are 5 keys to ministering through the long term:



Dealing with baggage from the past that it not be destructive to your well being
Keeping a personal Sabbath, not weekly, but daily - ministry must flow out of a life that is being continually filled
Personal Community - a few real friendships characterized by equality and transparency
Real World - we must remain real, otherwise our ministry begins to be more and more "churchy"
Train younger leaders - pouring our lives into the next generation

[Mark Bolerjack]

Wednesday morning:



-good humor, song service, and drama
-the moving of the pulpit back to center stage following the song service still feels strange and intrusive to me - I guess I'm out of it, but to me the song service is to contribute to the preaching ministry, to stop the service to move the pulpit back breaks the flow - I'm probably missing something here, but I'm still not sure why the pulpit would be in the way during the singing
-Sitting under the ministry of Gene McDowell is a real privilege. I felt I'd been sitting at the feet of mature wisdom all through his ministry
-He says there are 5 keys to ministering through the long term:



Dealing with baggage from the past that it not be destructive to your well being
Keeping a personal Sabbath, not weekly, but daily - ministry must flow out of a life that is being continually filled
Personal Community - a few real friendships characterized by equality and transparency
Real World - we must remain real, otherwise our ministry begins to be more and more "churchy"
Train younger leaders - pouring our lives into the next generation


I agree with what you said, but don't you mean Gordon McDonald? What great insight he has.

[G R 'Scott' Cundiff]

Just to satisfy the compulsive portion of my personality - one more post on SNU Palcon 2010 - Wednesday night:



Awesome time of prayer and worship with a real sense of God
Praise band right on it's response to the extended prayer time
Realized that somewhere along the way the hum in the sound system is gone
Ron Benefiel brings a thoughtful, Christ centered sermon
A challenge to participate in the cross of Christ - the whole sermon is built on this theme - and then, in the last 30 seconds, a powerful reminder that it's only by participating in the cross that we participate in the resurrection!

[Craig Laughlin]

Just to satisfy the compulsive portion of my personality - one more post on SNU Palcon 2010 - Wednesday night:



Awesome time of prayer and worship with a real sense of God
Praise band right on it's response to the extended prayer time
Realized that somewhere along the way the hum in the sound system is gone
Ron Benefiel brings a thoughtful, Christ centered sermon
A challenge to participate in the cross of Christ - the whole sermon is built on this theme - and then, in the last 30 seconds, a powerful reminder that it's only by participating in the cross that we participate in the resurrection!


Scott, thank you very much for your posts. I am signed up to go to PALCON but with all the pressure as of late I was thinking about dropping it. After reading your posts I have been reminded of how much I need to go even if the organization needs me to stay. I'll be there.

Peace Brother,

[Betty Bolerjack]

Scott, thank you very much for your posts. I am signed up to go to PALCON but with all the pressure as of late I was thinking about dropping it. After reading your posts I have been reminded of how much I need to go even if the organization needs me to stay. I'll be there.

Peace Brother,
I'm glad you have decided to go, Craig. I'm sure you won't regret it. Scott has really done a great job of summarizing the event. I missed a couple of the plenary sessions because it was just too much for me to handle and I really regret that I couldn't attend every session. However, what I did attend was well worth the effort to be there. I attended one workshop today that really moved me. I hadn't been able to decide which one to attend and decided on the one on creativity in worship at the last minute. Dave Clark was the presenter and he spoke from his heart... never even got to his notes. It was just what I needed to hear right now. I got the CD. I think I will probably listen to it many times!

[Betty Bolerjack]

Official NazNet Picture
L to R: Kevin Rector, Mark Bolerjack, David Pettigrew, Betty Bolerjack, Scott Cundiff
611
Ok, so yeah, we forgot the sign! Hey, I used to carry one in my camera bag, but since the logo was changed I never transferred it to my new bag. I'll have to see if I can add a sign, but not tonight. :smilies1722:


I couldn't resist posting the one our budding photographer took on her camera. (A friend took the other one on my camera.) I thought she did an excellent job. Right after we finished, I ran her over to our church just a couple of miles away for the Wed. evening kids program where she snapped a few "official" pictures in my place!
612

[Ryan Scott]

Scott, thank you very much for your posts. I am signed up to go to PALCON but with all the pressure as of late I was thinking about dropping it. After reading your posts I have been reminded of how much I need to go even if the organization needs me to stay. I'll be there.

I'm not sure if my Dad's decided to go or not, but you might run into him there.

[Kevin Rector]

Palcon was great. It was also pretty exhausting. It was important for my well being to skip some stuff and relax.

[Ryan Scott]

I'm not sure if my Dad's decided to go or not, but you might run into him there.

Just talked to him today. He'll be there.

[Kazimiera Fraley]

I am just curious. What happened to the pic we took at ENC Palcon? Did it get posted and I missed it?

[Billy Cox]

Sorry Hans, during baseball season the baseball metaphors abound!

I think Hans was asking what you meant by the metaphor, and I was wondering that too.

It could mean that Tim did a great job, or given the fact that emergent is a point of controversy, it could mean that emergent and/or its many foes got crucified.

[Billy Cox]

I believe that PALCON (http://palcon2010.org/) for the US & Canada has begun. Just posting this thread for people's reflections, reports, etc.

I'm going to register today. Looking forward to seeing Naznetters there.

For those who attended a PALCON, what happened at the conference that will still be important to you six months from now?

Is it transformational or is it a shot in the arm? (or a kick in the pants?)

[Shea Zellweger]

I am just curious. What happened to the pic we took at ENC Palcon? Did it get posted and I missed it?

http://www.naznet.com/community/showthread.php?510-Palcon-2010&p=12330&viewfull=1#post12330

[Shea Zellweger]

For those who attended a PALCON, what happened at the conference that will still be important to you six months from now?

Is it transformational or is it a shot in the arm? (or a kick in the pants?)

I only attended one day, but the workshop with Mary Lou Shea has stuck with me thus far.

[Betty Bolerjack]

I think Hans was asking what you meant by the metaphor, and I was wondering that too.

It could mean that Tim did a great job, or given the fact that emergent is a point of controversy, it could mean that emergent and/or its many foes got crucified.
Tim did do a great job. He did not take sides, but presented the information fairly and without bias... right down the center as Scott said.

BTW, Scott is traveling today so probably won't be checking in until later this evening.

[Ryan Scott]

For those who attended a PALCON, what happened at the conference that will still be important to you six months from now?

Is it transformational or is it a shot in the arm? (or a kick in the pants?)

I'm in a relatively unique situation (attending PALCON the first week of my first ministry assignment), but the services helped me to get into a congregational/pastoral mindset as opposed to the theoretical/seminary one I'd been living in for a few years.

There was also a seminar on mentoring I attended, some of which we'll be implementing here in our congregation. That will be useful for the foreseeable future in my ministry.

[Kazimiera Fraley]

Did anyone go to MNU's PALCON? Just curious

[David Pettigrew]

For those who attended a PALCON, what happened at the conference that will still be important to you six months from now?

Is it transformational or is it a shot in the arm? (or a kick in the pants?)

Dr. Middendorf said "I give you the gift of inadequacy."

I was so thankful this PALCON was not another "Let me give you ten steps to growing your church." Instead, the focus was more on taking care of yourself so you can take care of others.

Honestly - the next PALCON should focus on the pastor's personal health, as a more unhealthy looking group of people I have not seen. I'm including myself in that sweeping indictment.

[Jeremy D. Scott]

***Okay, the time has come and is now well-past that the CotN review whatever arrangement it has with Cornerstone Audio who records and sells every session at our conferences and events. We are in a day and age where stuff like this can easily be and should easily be made available as widely as possible. The fact that electronic copies (MP3s) are unavailable and that the only way of taking these recordings home is via a $10 CD (for ONE session!) is truly sad and unfortunate. There may be restrictions with certain contractual speakers, but for the most part, everything should be distributed widely. It was reported that at the PALCONs that already occurred prior to ENC's, thousands of CDs were sold. Just because people buy them doesn't make it right. I would be happy if everyone's registration cost had an extra $5 built in (or even $10) to cover the cost of making the recordings available to everyone electronically.

You may remember my whining above. I doubt it was my post, but the Nazarene Media Library (http://www.nazarenemedialibrary.org) has indeed posted many (if not all?) of the PALCON messages. Thank you, whoever you are!

You can access them by clicking on "Advanced Search" and then checking the "Tags" box on the right list for PALCON 2010. You do have to be registered with an account to access them, I believe.

(These have all been added in the last couple of days - I just happened to notice them when I was on the site looking for a logo.)