To sign up for the Summit E-NEWS

Join John Ortberg and Jim Mellado for a LIVE Webcast on 11/5. For details, click here.

Tim Keller blogs about his experience at The Leadership Summit - http://rcpc.com/blog/view.jsp?Blog_param=44.

The Summit Team Edition process tool now available. Download the pdf to process Bill Hybels' closing encouragements from #tls09 (A pdf for each session is available with the Team Edition)

The first full GLS weekend by all accounts was a huge success. Take a few minutes to read a taste of the life changing work that took place at GLS sites in the UK and New Zealand:

"Just done two days facilitating the Scottish GLS in Edinburgh - really good days with lots of challenging teaching, great worship and lots to think about!!! Inspiring stuff!!" -David Richards, Scotland

"What can I say? FANTASTIC. Thanks to everyone who made the UK Stafford GLS such an awesome couple of days. Now down to His business!" -Liz Hancock, UK

"Whangarei is the place to be GLS has so much to offer. GOD has a powerful message and Bill Thank you that you are a leader and willing to spread your knowledge and share knowledge with others assisting you." -Linda Scott, New Zealand

"Loving the Willow Global Leadership Summit in Stafford" -@shuggill, UK

"Forgiveness… I choose to forgive you… you took my childhood but you will not have the rest of my life!" - @Bevadair, New Zealand

"Amazing and inspiring and replenishing first session from Bill. Really relevant."
-@StPaulsCamb, UK

October 9-10 promises to be equally as exciting as 6,000 guests prepare to experience the GLS in their region. We pray that God will open leader's hearts during the GLS in the following sites:

• Australia, Adelaide
• Australia, Geelong
• New Zealand, Dunedin
• New Zealand, Nelson
• Nigeria, Lagos (two sites)
• South Africa, Durban
• South Africa, Port Elizabeth
• UK, Bolton
• UK, London Battersea
• UK, St. Albans
• UK, Swansea

For updates check out the GLS blog at theglobalsummit.blogspot.com and join the conversation

Twitter.com/The_GLS
http://www.facebook.com/theglobalsummit

Download the entire book, Just Courage by Gary Haugen for free. Use code: IJM2009 http://bit.ly/sdaTz (Courtesy of christianaudio & IJM)

The first Global Leadership Summit, which took place in Singapore, has just concluded. It has been a fantastic start to the season. Thank you for lifting the teams up in prayer over these past days. Your investment in the Summit in North America is bringing impact to so many guests and teams around the world.

More than 700 leaders attended from across the entire region. The comments have been overwhelming. Here's what one guest wrote:

"Wow! A life-changing conference- Every presentation was excellent: clear, relevant, articulate, powerful, appealing both to the head and to the heart. One was so gripping that the facilitator responded with an altar call and leaders came to the front for prayer. This was my first videoconference, and I felt it was very nearly as effective as the live GLS I attended in Chicago.

I came away inspired, challenged, humbled and renewed in my desire to lead out of a new passion for God and a deeper love for people. I was enriched with new insights, strategies, techniques, and Biblical perspectives, and brought back quite a stack of books to keep me engaged in continuing education and growth in my leadership. The Conference Notebook is well designed and has helpful outlines for each presentation that assist in taking notes. I took copious notes, and want to revisit these talks in the future."

Check out the GLS blog at theglobalsummit.blogspot.com and join the conversation
Twitter.com/The_GLS
http://www.facebook.com/theglobalsummit

We are excited that the first GLS 2009 is underway! The GLS team in Singapore has prepared, rehearsed, and is now ready to equip leaders with leadership development. The GLS in Singapore takes place be on Monday-Tuesday, September 21-22, 2009 with more than 700 guests registered for the event. Some of the guests are coming from neighboring countries who want to host a future GLS. Please cover them in prayer as they are feeling the pressure of a shorter lead time to this event.

The Global Leadership Summit 2009 Prayer Promptings

For the GLS Team & Guests:

• Host Senior Pastor — that God would use them to build a thriving leadership community out of the GLS that boldly crosses ethnic, denominational, and socioeconomic lines.
• Event Manager — for divine assistance and expanded capacity to juggle the countless details that makes up the Summit experience.
• Volunteers- serve with a gladness of heart and anticipate our guest needs.
• Producers and Technical Coordinators – for protection, foresight and guidance in navigating the complexities of delivering the event. No video problems
• Worship Teams- hearts will be prepared and there will be true congregational worship that connects people to God.
• Facilitators – for a sense of God's discernment and wisdom to guide meaningful conversations among attendees; building momentum and excitement for the Church in their country.
• Resource Coordinators — for God's encouragement and help as they serve as ambassadors, skillfully guiding each attendee to the resources that will best serve their church.
• Pastors— to receive a fresh, invigorating infusion of leadership wisdom and inspiration, and the encouragement to persevere.
• Volunteer Leaders—to experience God's affirming hand as they are equipped, empowered and reinvigorated to serve Him in the church.
• Business Leaders—to enter the experience with receptive and open spirits, to be surprised by God's presence, and awakened and responsive to opportunities to build the church through their role in the marketplace.

In addition to the Global Leadership Summit blog we encourage you to follow the GLS on Facebook and Twitter to stay up to date.

Bill Hybels: What Bono Taught Me About Fighting Poverty
Nearly two weeks ago, Bill Hybels stood before 7,000 people—and an additional 60,000 connected via satellite feed—who gathered for the Willow Creek Association's annual two-day conference the Global Leadership Summit to hear from diverse faculty on the subject of how to get better at leading whatever it is that we lead. Part of the assortment this year included Bono, who agreed to a follow-up discussion to our 2006 interview, during which he called out the local church for being inexcusably late to the game of fighting extreme poverty and treatable disease. [Read More]

The Leadership Summit isn't about what happens during a two-day period. It is a leadership story, one that strives to bring people to God and ask them "What are you going to live for? What will you lay it down for?" Bill Hybels said in the final session that "we are a like-minded people and we are serving His Church for His power and His glory!"

As you continue to contemplate your leadership and calling, and stretch according to God's work in your heart and mind, our prayer for you is one of blessing, gratitude, and challenge. You are the Church. You have the gospel, and the Spirit to lead you towards the many places in the world that desperately need it. Whether you're in a church building, board room, lecture hall, soccer field, or elsewhere, your life and leadership matter.

Hopefully you've seen God move in your own life, and witnessed Him moving around you. Now it's your turn to respond. We're looking forward to what's next!

On what much of the world woke to as a normal Thursday, tens of thousands of leaders across North America have marked as a day of great change and leadership movement. After so much excellent material and inspiration from Bill Hybels, Gary Hamel, Carly Fiorina, Henry Cloud, Patrick Lencioni, David Ireland, Tim Keller, Jessica Jackley, and Harvey Carey, God is continuing a work in the hearts of leaders that will undoubtedly echo across the world.

Did God challenge you today? Did he open your eyes, your heart, and your mind? Are you going to leave this Summit changed and transformed? The Summit is a global movement, and you are a part of it! What will your next steps be? Where will they take you?

Tomorrow's sessions will continue to build and expand the vision for leadership. We're looking forward to seeing God move!

By now many of you have heard of Twitter, and know that this morning marked what will probably be considered one of their worst online crashes so far. Early on, the terms "Leadership Summit," "#TLS09," and "Bill Hybels" led the top trending topics in the entire Twitter universe. Summit attenders with Twitter accounts were connecting across thousands of miles and sharing their hearts and minds regarding the Summit. It's funny to think that at the same moment the Summit was exploding online, Twitter's service was undergoing an online attack.

Despite the many possible technical difficulties that crop up during events like this, one thing remains true: more than cables and wireless signals connect God's people with one another. The Spirit is at work in the lives of men and women everywhere, and we get to share in that great bond as leaders because the Summit isn't about a single event in one place and time: it's about the global Church!

If you're interested in following the Summit on Twitter, head over to www.twitter.com/leadersummit. You can also follow the Summit on Facebook at www.facebook.com/leadershipsummit. On top of that, you can check in on the status of Twitter (as they fight to bring it back online) at status.twitter.com.

The Leadership Summit is in full swing having covered topics such as leading in the midst of a downturn (Bill Hybels), the delicate subject of hiring/firing and board dynamics (Lencioni, Cloud, Fiorina, Ireland, Hybels) and the death of management as we know it (Gary Hamel). The challenges came at a dizzying pace but were somehow tangible and magnetic, inspring all of us to lead the way God intends us to. Check out The Leadership Summit on Facebook at www.facebook.com/leadershipsummit and on Twitter @leadersummit.

It's hard to believe that The Leadership Summit 2009 is finally here. Willow's South Barrington campus is filled with leaders and joined by thousands of others all across North America. In the coming months, thousands more will share in the Summit from cities all across the world. The energy and presence of God is undeniable. All you have to do is look around.

Bill Hybels began the Summit event narrative this morning in the first session with a picture of "rogue waves" – a look at leadership in a "new reality." An early Summit anthem: "There is nothing like the local church when the church is working right." There was a resounding "Amen!" and applause in response to that statement. Undoubtedly leaders in churches, organizations, and businesses all over the world are facing challenges that threaten to defeat, deplete, and discourage. We won't be experiencing the "old normal" anytime soon.

Thankfully, it's clear that thousands of leaders are committed to growing and stretching toward God's bigger, better plan!

Within an hour of starting, leaders all over North America combined to make The Leadership Summit the top trending topic on social media website Twitter. The #TLS09 topic hashtag has connected Summit attendees like never before, allowing an ongoing dialogue to take place.

Alongside this online movement, Twitter has been experiencing service failure due to an "ongoing denial-of-service attack," which, according to Twitter's official blog, are "malicious efforts orchestrated to disrupt and make unavailable services such as online banks, credit card payment gateways, and in this case, Twitter for intended customers or users."

If you're a Twitter user, we are so excited that you're sharing your thoughts with us and broadening the Summit's reach. Though it may seem like a small thing, we'd ask you to join with us in praying that Twitter service can rebound from these attacks and get back to connecting us with one another online!

Leadership Summit speaker, Gary Hamel was ranked as the #1 Business Thinker of 2008 by The Wall Street Journal and called "the world's leading expert on business strategy" by Fortune. An author, speaker, professor, and innovative management consultant, he is most widely known for originating concepts such as "strategic intent" and "core competencies." At the Summit Hamel will address the paradigm shift needed to fully engage the potential of people and explain how tomorrow's most successful entities will be organized.

Click here to read Ten Tips from the Top

Click here to read Five Requirements for Idea Generation

The U2 Online Blog features U2 News and U2 videos. They recently posted a link about Bono's videocast during the 2009 Leadership Summit. Read Blog

In 1994 I listened to a message by Bill Hybels entitled: The Legacy of a Leader, in which Bill challenged the congregation to focus on what is important in life from an eternal perspective. In this message he also asked: when is enough…enough and when does saving become hording? It was as if God was speaking only to me.

I had achieved a measure of success leading as Vice President of a large U.S. corporation. The Monday following this service I was negotiating a separation agreement with my employer and searching for a position in ministry. I started at the Willow Creek Association (WCA) in International ministry 16 months later. It was apparent that God had prepared me my whole life for this position through my International career in the marketplace.

I write this note from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia where I recently met with influential church leaders to plan The Leadership Summit. The same hunger I saw for high quality, relevant and God honoring training is present wherever I go. Now at age 66 I cannot thank God enough for leading me to this ministry and using me within a wonderful team of highly dedicated people to expand His Kingdom.

In His Service,

Gary Schwammlein
Executive Vice President, International Ministries

On June 6 and 7 Willow Creek Community Church invited 2008 Summit speaker, Catherine Rohr to speak during the weekend services. In her interview with President of the Willow Creek Association, Jim Mellado, Catherine elaborated on her message from last year's Summit and shared what happened when she listened to God's call and founded the Prison Entrepreneurship Program. Click here to view the full interview.

Following the interview Bill Hybels challenged the congregation to set aside two days for the sake of leadership development and attend The Leadership Summit on August 6-7, 2009.

As a result of this initiative, over 1300 people from Willow registered to attend The Leadership Summit within 48 hours.

Host church Senior Pastor of Lakeside Church, Brad Franklin, encourages his congregation to attend The Leadership Summit on August 6-7, 2009.

Read his blogpost

At recent gatherings with Bill Hybels and the Summit Host Site pastors a breakthrough idea was shared that we believe can raise the value of leadership development within your congregation. Also, we're convinced it will help more of your people understand the value of attending The Leadership Summit 2009 on August 6-7. The concept is hosting a "Summit Sunday"—i.e. leveraging your weekend church service to show a past Summit talk, complemented with appropriate programming elements and personal testimonies from your key church leadership.

We've made the process as easy as possible for your church team to implement. You can download everything you need to implement a "Summit Sunday" without charge—i.e. vision and direction, six edited past Summit video messages, worship/programming elements and facilitation recommendations.

Friends,

Tonight I'm at a hotel in Toronto, sandwiched between two "Gifted to Lead" events. Yesterday, Nancy Ortberg and I co-led the event in Livermore, California, with about 340 women. We were graciously hosted by the Cornerstone Fellowship Church. Every time we open up this subject matter — focused on the challenges and potential for women to lead in the church — we realize how needful it is for women to be able to talk about their stories and learn from one another. I was marked once again by the incredible gifts of the women I had a chance to talk with personally - their passion for the church and their desire to make an impact for the kingdom. I was inspired to keep on persevering for the cause of Christ.

It fascinates me how many of the questions and comments are similar in each event we facilitate. Obviously there are some common themes for women in ministry! I truly hope women left feeling understood and not so alone in their journeys.

Tomorrow I will lead the workshop alone here in Toronto, with another group of 350 this time. It's a lot more fun with my partner Nancy O., but I will do my best to serve these women. I am humbled and grateful for the opportunity.

Nancy Beach
Executive Vice President for the Arts
Willow Creek Association

View The Leadership Summit schedule and other event details.

Dear Friends,

As you know, each year The Leadership Summit team commits to bring you a faculty of expert leaders and thinkers that will stretch your thinking and deliver practical skills.

2009 is no exception.

Earlier this year we announced 16 members of our faculty, which include entrepreneurs, pastors, professors, best-selling authors and even a rock star.

But God had bigger plans.

Through God's grace and our collective prayers, Tony Blair has graciously agreed to be on the faculty of The Leadership Summit 2009 through a pre-recorded videocast.

As former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Rt Hon Tony Blair has extensive leadership experience and is considered one of Britain's most internationally recognized statesmen. This man has been through the crucible of leadership and I think there's so much we can learn from him.

Looking forward to experiencing the Summit together,

Jim Mellado
President, Willow Creek Association

Take the Next Step

Register and view additional speaker clips

Fady Eldeiry grew up the son of a pastor who led an evangelical church in Alexandria, Egypt. He now lives in the U.S. and first attended The Leadership Summit in 2001. At the end of the Summit, he was transformed. When he heard and grasped the idea that the local church is the hope of the world, he knew that his life would never be the same.

For the past seven years, Fady has worked relentlessly to bring the GLS to Egypt so that others would hear the transforming message of the local church. Finally, in 2008, Fady saw his dream turned into reality as the first Egyptian GLS was held outside the city of Cairo. More than 450 Egyptian leaders, including 120 pastors, attended The Global Summit along with Christians from 20 other Arab countries including Libya, Sudan, Syria, Jordon, Morocco, and Palestine. Many who attended are leaders of underground churches.

Fady's vision continues to be about bringing the best leadership principles available to support Christian leaders serving the Arab World. After the GLS concluded, its impact expanded as it was broadcast via satellite to a television audience reaching 10 to 12 million Arabs. Bill Hybels' book, Courageous Leadership has been translated into Arabic and a professor at the seminary in Cairo is even using the book and content from the GLS to continue developing country leaders.

To find out how you can get involved supporting leaders like Fady in their efforts to take leadership development to every leader in this world, go to WillowCreekGlobalSummit.com or call 800-570-9812.

Dear Friends,

This morning I visited a Chinese Three Self church here in Beijing and met with the senior pastor who had just finished a worship service in preparation for Good Friday and Easter. The church was founded at the turn of the last century and as you can imagine, has experienced turbulent times. Suffering in a big way is part of that history.

Although I knew Easter was coming, it was really not much on my mind. Until this morning I had seen no sign of it anywhere here in Asia/China, and with the hectic schedule I have, it was perhaps not surprising it slipped out of my consciousness. However, this morning changed that and as I am reflecting on the suffering of Christ for us, I was reminded that there are still lots of people today who are suffering for their faith in Christ in ways we cannot imagine. It reminded me of Paul, who wanted to know Christ at a new level, and even experience "the fellowship of his suffering." I wondered if that really is something I would ask for. Would I even be willing to go through with it if I had to choose between suffering or denying Christ?

All this pondering reminded me also of magazine and newspaper reports published very recently in Germany by heavyweight theologians who question more and more that Christ really died on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins. (Quote" Immer mehr protestantische Theologen äußern öffentlich ihre Zweifel darüber, dass der Tod Jesu am Kreuz als Sühneopfer zur Vergebung unserer Sünden zu verstehen sei" Die Welt, 4/8/09.)

There is no question that Christians I met in Nanjing, in Shanghai, or here in Beijing have no such doubts, and want to build churches where Christ's death and his resurrection are proclaimed on a regular basis, and who dream of reaching the masses with this message. They were full of praise for the support we provide, not the least via the GLS. It pained me to caution them that we may not be able to offer them the GLS this year because of financial constraints. As if to encourage me and us to proceed with it anyhow, one person here gave me a check in support of the GLS. His family has been blessed greatly by the GLS and they want others to experience this transforming event as well. What an encouragement. Thank you Lord!

Before traveling to Asia we had a meeting with all affiliate country leaders and regional partners in Germany to discuss our plans for this year and it was exciting to hear how they plan to grow GLS attendance in spite of the very difficult economic conditions that exist all over the world. I still have visits to 5 countries in Asia ahead of me and I am sure I will experience the same attitude in all of them.

I look forward to experiencing Good Friday in Hong Kong and then celebrating Easter at our GLS partner church in Singapore. It's good to remember what Bill recently said in one of his e-news that, "resurrection power and hope are still available for normal people who humble themselves before God and ask Him for help."

Hallelujah!

In His Service,

Gary Schwammlein
Executive Vice President
WCA International Ministry

View one of the many videos available to give you a taste of The Leadership Summit and encourage others to register for the 2009 event. Visit The Leadership Summit's YouTube page

In the face of cultural upheaval, economic crisis, and persistent human need, our world calls out for leaders who do not back down, withdraw or compromise. You have been charged with a higher calling. On August 6-7, 2009, you're invited to be one of the thousands of global leaders who are choosing to take responsibility for their leadership development.

Our 2009 faculty of expert leaders and thinkers have been selected to deliver practical skills, stretch your thinking, and challenge you to reach the full measure of your potential as a leader.

This year's speakers include:

• Bill Hybels, Founder and senior pastor of Willow Creek Community Church, South Barrington, IL.
• Dr. Henry Cloud, Clinical psychologist, author, and business consultant
• Carly Fiorina, Former chairman and CEO of Hewlett-Packard, business commentator, and strategic advisor
• Dr. David Ireland, Founder and senior pastor of Christ Church, Montclair, NJ
• Patrick Lencioni, Business consultant, author, and president of The Table Group, Inc.
• Gary Hamel, Renowned business thinker and visiting professor at London School of Business
• Dr. Tim Keller, Founder and senior pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church, Manhattan, NY
• Jessica Jackley, Co-founder of Kiva.org, the world's first peer-to-peer online micro-lending website
• Harvey Carey, Founder and senior pastor of Citadel of Faith Covenant Church, Detroit, MI
• Dave Gibbons, Founder and lead pastor of Newsong Church, Irvine, CA
• David Gergen, Political analyst for CNN and PBS and former White House adviser to four presidents
• Dan Heath, Author, consultant, and co-founder of Thinkwell
• Chip Heath, Author, consultant, and professor at Stanford's Graduate School of Business
• Andrew Rugasira, Founder of Good African Coffee and African trade advocate
• Bono, Lead singer of U2 and activist in the fight against AIDS and poverty in Africa
• Wess Stafford, President and CEO of Compassion International

On February 24 Bill Hybels, senior pastor of Willow Creek Community Church, and Jim Mellado, president of Willow Creek Association, will introduce the Summit speakers and share their vision for The Leadership Summit 2009.

Host churches across North America will gather via webcast to be inspired by the vision for this unifying event that will take place on August 6-7, 2009. It's a reminder for churches all over that there is multiplied power in shared experiences, conversations, and discoveries. As pastors and leaders connect locally with influencers, they will continue to advance the cause of leadership development for the sake of the Church and community.

The Leadership Summit is a growing global movement of leaders across racial, cultural, and denominational divides. It's our hope that you will take some time and explore the videos and downloads on this website to envision leaders within your sphere of influence and lead where you are.

My brothers and sisters in Christ, Recently in a staff meeting we discussed the realities of the economic challenges and struggles we all face these days. I believe God was present in our conversation so I share the following thoughts as an encouragement to you.

First, the Church Relations Team believes that more than ever we need to be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit. We seek His wisdom as we prepare and plan for so many interactions with each of you. We do feel your pain as you face many major decisions with your ministries, businesses and families.

Please know we are doing everything in our power to deliver a “first class” event for your team this August. We believe God will deliver because He did not bring us this far to allow us to stumble and fall on our faces! The Devil is a lie and he will not win this battle of allowing every single church that comes into contact with us through the Summit to reach their full redemptive potential … somebody say AMEN!!

Therefore, we must press on with the full armor of God wrapped around each and every one of us! Stand firm and ready to do the will of the Lord in every region, everywhere! Consequently, No host site, No leader, No team, No participating Assisting Church member should ever feel as if they're climbing this Kingdom hill all by themselves. We are the Church of Jesus Christ - Soldiers in the Army of the Lord and together we have built one of the worlds largest Christian coalitions this side of heaven...so if you're ready and we believe that you are...let's press on with the task of uniting Christians around the world through a 'First-Class' event called The Leadership Summit.

Blessings,

Alvin Bibbs
Church Relations Field Team