Here’s another speaker I now nothing about. Apparently he had his picture taken as he was falling over or something.
Jeff Manion – The Land Between -Finding God in Difficult Transitions
His bio reads as follows:
“Known for his vibrant teaching skills and passion for communicating the Scriptures in a clear and relevant way, Jeff Manion has served as teaching pastor of Ada Bible Church in West Michigan for more than 25 years. His church of 6,000 attendees [obligatory church size reference] was named by Outreach magazine as one of America’s largest and fastest growing churches in 2009. Using video venues and two offsite campuses, they strive to create a small church feeling within a large church setting. Invited to the Summit after Bill Hybels heard a taped message he gave on The Land Between, Manion will share biblical insights on how to avoid pitfalls that can easily entrap those who are living in a time of transition.”
(Update: some excellent notes here)
The land between for Israel was the desert between Palestine and Egypt. We also have desert times and places in our lives.
Guard your spirit in the land between. You would think that after the Israelites had seen the mighty works of God they would have trusted him, but they complained. We tend to do the same thing.
Manion’s doing a good job reading scripture the way they were probably uttered.
He makes a good point that those we think of as the great heroes of the Bible were very much as human as we are. They complained, they lost faith in God, etc.
In Spiritual Leadership you will have moments where you come to the end of yourself. Count on it. “I was prepared for days of disappointment, but I wasn’t prepared for yrs of disappointment or simply being a disappointment.”
It was good to hear a speaker address leadership based on a passage of scripture – on this case, Numbers 11. As @david_norman put it: “It’s so refreshing to hear a leadership Sermon at #wcagls as opposed to Scripture-less truisms. Thank you Jeff Manion.”
God’s provision looks different for everyone, depending on what’s happening in their lives at the time.
“What if, instead of holding on, we release and leave our hands open to receive whatever God would provide for us?”
“God provides. He loves to provide. It’s what He does.”
The land between is fertile ground for provision but also discipline. We respect loving parents who bring timely and appropriate discipline for their children. Discipline is inflicting pain for redemptive purposes.
The land between is fertile soil for transformational growth.
Complaint resists eviction. Trust evicts complaint.
Great job Jeff Manion. We travel to Grand Rapids 2-3 times a year so maybe I’ll check out his church next time we’re there.
More From The Ascent to Truth
- Christine Caine – Liveblogging the Global Leadership Summit 2010 (#wcagls) – Talking about music is like dancing about architecture…
- Michael Frost – “Vision for Transforming Neighbourhoods” (Liveblogging Renov8 #rv8) – Talking about music is like dancing about architecture…
- Seasons of Attack the Lure of Adultery – Talking about music is like dancing about architecture…
