Tag Archives: Orange Conference
Can someone attending #orange10 do me a favor?
Posted on23. Apr, 2010 by Kenny.
I’ve got a lot of places to be while at Orange. Unfortunately, I can’t be everywhere. Last year I did my best and I only missed one general session and one breakout session. Why? I was busy learning from others in the hallways and the Orange Leader’s Lounge.
This year I already know that I’m going to miss one breakout and one preconference workshop. The workshop I’m going to miss is Preconference 2: Thinking intern by Darren Kizer. I really wanted to be in that session, but I can’t. Is there anyone out there who’s planning to attend that workshop? I’d love to get your notes and maybe get the general rundown from you. Let me know and I’d be eternally grateful!
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Preloaded questions for Orange
Posted on23. Apr, 2010 by Kenny.
I remember when I was in College, the first few days on campus was defined by one common question. “What’s your major?” Maybe it was a coping skill. Seriously, do you really care what my major is? You just can’t think of anything else to ask, so you ask about my major. The second most common question was “Where are you from?”
One day I ran into someone and he didn’t ask me what my major was or where I was from. He asked me what my favorite color was. Random? Yes. However, it was refreshing to answer a question I wasn’t expecting. I’ll never forget it.
As you’ve been hearing from me and countless others, you need to ask questions while at Orange. I’m going to encourage you to stay away from the easy, common “coping” questions. Don’t let “where are you from?” be the first question you ask. It’s too easy and everyone else is asking that. By all means, don’t ask someone how many kids they have in their program right off the bat. It’s tacky. You can ask, but let it flow out of the engaging conversation you’re having.
So, in case you’re intimidated to lead out with a question to someone you don’t know, here are some pre-loaded questions to ask. While you’re waiting for the breakout to begin, give one of these a shot. When you’re getting some free coffee in the OL Lounge, ask the dude next to you in line one of these questions to get the conversation going.
- What’s the biggest concept/take-away you’ve gotten so far? (Don’t ask this question in the registration line, it would be weird)
- If you could be any fruit, what fruit would you be? (An orange isn’t allowed, that’s too obvious)
- After you get home from Orange, what’s the first thing you plan to start doing?
- Is it just me, or do you always want to call Francis Chan, Jackie Chan? (Ask this to someone who was here last year, otherwise they may not get it)
- After you get home from Orange, what’s the first thing you plan to stop doing?
- Do you know what Reggie’s middle name is? (It’s Herschel – actually Herschel is is first name with Reggie being his middle)
- Who do you wish was here with you hearing and learning all that you’re experiencing?
Okay, there’s a handful. Got any others? Feel free to leave some good ones in the comments.
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Take a risk at Orange
Posted on22. Apr, 2010 by Kenny.
My friend Sam wrote a great post that you should read if you haven’t already. Much of what he says is true of any conference you attend, but since Orange is next week, let’s just focus on that one.
In his list of ten things, one thing in particular jumps out at you. Meet people. Talk to people. Ask people questions.
I want to echo this and push a little further.
First of all, if you’re coming with other staff, you need to give yourself permission to spend time away from your staff. Conferences offer great opportunities for a staff to bond, but you’ll always have your staff. You won’t always have the collective knowledge of more than 4,000 leaders. This probably means having some intentional conversations with your team before you leave. Plan out when you’re going to hang out as a team and when you’re not. Give them the freedom, or even challenge them, to connect with others while at the conference. I’ve been there. It’s easier to attend a conference and only connect with the people you know. Your staff is NOT thinking about the people they can meet next week. Give them a little push, give them permission to take some risks.
Same goes for you. How many people you connect with is up to you. Maybe you’re a little timid or shy. Perhaps you’re from a small church and you’re intimidated by those who work at big churches. Forget it, don’t let any of that stop you. Come prepared to share your ministry with others and come prepared to learn about specific things from others. What questions do you want answers to? Write them down and make it your mission to get as many of your questions answered as possible from as many people as possible. You’re going to get a lot out of Orange, but you’ll be amazed at how much you’ll experience in the hallways, the hotel lobbies and all the other places you didn’t expect to learn something.
Just so you know, one of the best places to meet people will be at the Orange Leaders Lounge. It’s upstairs in the main arena and it’s where lots of big thinkers are hanging out. If you feel the slightest bit intimidated to meet new people, the OL Lounge is a great place to start because it’s likely someone will initiate a conversation with you. See how easy that is?
So, take a risk. Push yourself out of your comfort zone and take control of your Orange experience. You’ll be glad you did!
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#Orange10 Tweet Up!
Posted on19. Apr, 2010 by Kenny.
Hey fellow tweeps, the official Orange 10 Tweet Up just got scheduled.
Wednesday, April 28th at Chocolate Perks from 10-11:30 PM!
So, if you’re on twitter (if you’re not, create your account right now, send out a tweet and you’re good to go), plan to stop by. I know, it’s late… but when else would you expect a tweet up? Although you’ll have connected with tons of ministry friends in the Orange Leaders Lounge, take your networking skills to a whole new level by taking it off-site. I’m looking forward to meeting up with all of you on Wednesday night!
Soooooo, if you think you’re going to Tweet Up at Chocolate Perks, leave a comment!
Chocolate Perks
3160 Main Street
Duluth, GA 30096
Historic Downtown – Across from City Hall
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App of the week: Orange Conference App
Posted on18. Apr, 2010 by Kenny.
How could I not feature this app? Only nine more days until the most anticipated conference for student and children’s ministry and now I have an app to get me even more excited. You can download the Orange Conference Countdown right here.
Have you ever been at a conference talking to someone and they ask you what breakout you’re in next, or you can’t remember what time the next session starts, so you begin digging through your SWAG bag for your official conference notebook with the schedule and the breakout information. Or maybe your conference has the schedule on your lanyard. Either way, you’re digging around through all your Jesus junk and scanning the 5 point font on the back of your lanyard trying to figure out where you were supposed to be like a conference nerd.
This app is your freedom from conference nerdiness!
Now you can know exactly where you’re supposed to be and what breakout is next while browsing this nifty little app. “Is he checking is mail? Is she checking facebook?” Nope, they’re trying to get a clue about what’s next at the Orange Conference. They look so cool, and you can too.
It’s a really simple app. It doesn’t do much more than give you standard information, but this is a huge improvement on anything else done in conference-land.
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Orange is EXPLODING!
Posted on26. Mar, 2010 by Kenny.
Have you ever had really high expectations for something and when you got there it was just… meh? Been there. But there’s something really cool about having a high level of anticipation about something that is GOING TO BE HUGE! Well my friends, that’s the 2010 Orange Conference for you. In spite of economic challenges and all the other things that could distract, Orange is BLOWING UP! Still being a month away, this year’s Orange Conference is smashing previous year’s registration. It’s going to be a year for the record books! If you’ve been in the past, you’re going to notice a difference. How exciting to be a part of a movement that’s got huge momentum. God’s certainly doing something through this strategy and this gathering of ideas to change families forever.
If you haven’t registered yet for Orange, it’s not too late. I’m serious, you DON’ WANT TO MISS THIS CONFERENCE! It very well could change your trajectory for life and ministry.
Added bonus: Anyone who registers before April 8th can get into the preconference for half price! That’s huge! I never miss a preconference! Click here to register right now or click on the badge to the right!
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Register for Orange TODAY!
Posted on18. Mar, 2010 by Kenny.
If you haven’t registered for Orange yet and you’re heavily considering going, go ahead and register TODAY. Today is the last day for any price break. Register TODAY!
There are so many reasons why you should go to Orange, but I’m not going to list them in this blog post. Just search Orange in the search bar to the right and you’ll get your fill. If you fill stuck in a rut in your ministry or if you feel like you’re not making the difference you should be, Orange is for you. Sure, Orange has a ministry philosophy that’s helped thousands of churches, but just getting in the same room with big thinkers in ministry can help you see your situation from a different perspective. You’ll hear great teaching, innovative ideas in breakouts, but some of the best parts of Orange are the conversations in the hallways, in hotel lobbies and restaurants surrounding the venue.
This year there’s a central meeting place called the Orange Leaders Lounge. It’s a place to come and talk life and ministry. It’s filled with a bunch of big thinkers in ministry who want to shoot the breeze as well as talk ministry victories and woes. It’s a great place for every leader to grow, connect, be encouraged and walk away with new ideas and perspectives.
So, Orange is a great place to bring you team. You can grow together. Click here to register your team. Orange is also a great place to go on your own. Consider it a time to personally recharge. Click here to register just you. Just don’t miss the opportunity. You can register tomorrow, it’s just going to cost a little more.
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Reminder to sign up for Orange
Posted on16. Mar, 2010 by Kenny.
On Sunday a volunteer of mine sent me a link to this video. It’s a totally silly series of videos about a really annoying Orange. Since I seem to blog about Orange quite a bit, I figured it would only be fitting if I added this video to an “Orange” post. So here you go.
If you haven’t registered yet, click here to register for the Orange Conference. It might just change your life!
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2010 Orange preconference and breakout sessions I’m attending
Posted on15. Mar, 2010 by Kenny.
Although I registered for the Orange Conference a few months ago, I finally logged in to sing up for breakouts and preconference sessions last week. I’d recommend not doing that since some of the breakouts are already full. If you haven’t yet registered for Orange, click here to do so. If you have registered, be sure to sign up for you breakouts ASAP!
Preconference 1: Building an apprentice mindset by Brian Vander Ark & Tim Vandlen
Preconference 2: Thinking intern by Darren Kizer
Preconference 3: Catching volunteers up to speed by Darren Kizer
Breakout A: How round is your table by Cara Martens
Breakout B: No more Volun-tears by Craig Jutila
Breakout C: Parent beyond your capacity by Reggie Joiner, Carey Nieuwhof
Breakout D: Teach with the end in mind by Scott Austin
So this is where you’re likely to find me during the breakouts. Am I going to be in any of the same breakouts as you? Maybe you can save me a seat!
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Why attend the Orange Conference 10: Reason #5
Posted on08. Feb, 2010 by Kenny.
This year Orange is going to offer a few breakouts covering a very practical topic. Ministering to kids with “special need.” For a lot of churches, there just isn’t a strong plan (or plan at all) for special needs. I have very little experience or knowledge in working with kids with special needs. However, over the years, I’ve been grateful to have people on my staff that knew and loved this area well. If you’re church doesn’t have a plan or needs to grow in this area, consider this a great bonus for attending Orange. I’m sure the breakouts will be amazing, but it should be a great place to network with others who are in the same process as you or a little further down the road.
You’ll get so much out of attending Orange. If you’re looking into Orange being an option, go ahead and give it a try. You won’t be disappointed. Just click on the badge to the left to register!
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