Convention Blogging: Day One

We finished our first day of the Preaching and Teaching Convention at Ozark Christian College. Whew, after traveling and two main sessions (and a quick game of 10-point pitch with the Anderson's before bed), we sure are tired.

We checked in at the convention in time for the first main session at 4pm. We listened to a great sermon from Chuck Sackett about the call of Jeremiah and how to discern God's call in our lives. It was a good sermon that really hit home with an audience of ministers and church leaders.

That first session was short and we had the option of buying tickets to dinner there but decided instead to go out to a "nice" dinner. So we enjoyed steaks at Jim Bob's, which is the local shell your own peanuts while you enjoy the taxidermy steak house. We (the Anderson's and us) have several favorite Joplin restaurants we'd like to go to if we get the chance. Some meals we'll eat at the convention but other meals will find us eagerly seeking out old haunts.

After a quick trip to our old Wal-Mart (that's been completely remodeled and is the nicest and largest Wal-Mart I've ever seen) we headed back to campus for the second main session. Kyle Idleman, a former classmate of mine, spoke about being connected to God like a branch is connected to the vine (John 15) and did a fantastic job. He's the type of speaker that makes you wonder if any of the rest of the guys can top that. It won't be easy.

My only problem with the second main session was the worship. Do you remember that Saturday Night Live skit with the Christian singing couple that were just a little too exuberant? Now combine that with a typical TBN perpetually-smiling overly-hairsprayed televangelist and you have the husband-wife team that led our worship tonight. They were just so… happy… and intense… and happy. I couldn't overcome the distraction of it all no matter how hard I tried.

I'm sure some folks loved it. And they seemed to be talented and earnest people. It just wasn't my speed, I guess. Maybe it will be better tomorrow.

Tomorrow is getting here quick. We're up at 6am to hear Matt Proctor speak during breakfast. Matt is one of the men who taught me to preach and is now the President of OCC. It should be a great start to the morning.