NOVA blog

Wide Awake

Erwin McManus spoke last night about living our lives "fully awake" He spoke of how we need to be people who are living our dreams - not just having dreams that float in our head - but that we live lives where we are pursuing the fulfillment of the dreams.
He asked us questions like:

What are you doing to pursue your dreams?

Are the things you are involved in taking you closer to or further away from your dreams?

If you really pursued your dreams - would it make a change in the world for good?

What are you afraid of?

He reminded us that fear is often one of the things that stops us from seeing our "God-given" dreams come to fruition.

He also challenged us that the "church" needs to be a place where dreamers are attracted to. A place where we encourage people pursue their dreams and we encourage them in the process.

What an inspiring challenge.

What stood out to you in the session?

What was your takeawy?

It's Almost Here!

Our team has now kicked into high gear in preparation for The NOVA Experience that will start in just 2 days!
We have been praying for you and your team. We are asking the spirit of God to encourage and inspire you as you take in all of the various sessions at NOVA. Remember, that we have a TEAM time built right into the schedule.

TEAM Session is a structured, intentional time for your team to gather and process each level of the experience, and then to begin formulating plans for implementing lasting change while still at the conference. This will be a great time to build unity, share ideas and come up with a plan for implementation. Also, if your team wants even more time to discuss topics by NOVA speakers. You may still want to consider the EXCHANGE Session.

EXCHANGE is a three-hour session that is designed to allow attendees to dig deeper into conference topics and connect on a more personal level with presenters and with those who share a common passion for specific ministries. If your team decides they would like to participate in an EXCHANGE Session and you have not already signed up for one, you can do so at Registration Solutions at the event. Click here for more information.

We look forward to seeing you on Thursday!

Give Us Your Feedback

We’ve added a very unique opportunity to The NOVA Experience and we need your help to make it relevant to where you are right now!

 

Five of Christendom’s most forward-thinking people - Craig Gross, Mark Batterson, Alan Hirsch with Canadian Pastors Joe Manafo and Stuart McKnight will respond to YOUR questions about the state of the church.

These renowned authors, speakers, and film makers are deeply committed to the local church and have years of diverse experience supporting it as well as challenging it.

It's all going to happen at a newly added session on called "Goliath Sized Questions, occurring from 5:30-6:45 pm on Friday October 24.

 

Give us your feedback. It matters.

Please vote on which questions you would like them to answer today!
Click here to sign up for this session.

Great news!

The deadline to sign up for Billeting at The NOVA Experience has been extended.

It is our privilege to serve you while you attend THE NOVA EXPERIENCE! One of the ways we can serve you is to offer billeting. This is our way of helping to minimize the costs involved while attending NOVA. For more information, click here.

 

There are only 2 ½ weeks until NOVA starts.

 

How have you or your team been preparing?

 

“Success is where preparation and opportunity meet.”

Bobby Unser

 

There is a buzz in the air as teams review their vision, strategy. Many are excited to gather and be inspired. This event is filled with great, inspiring speakers, with topics that are relevant to the needs of churches and their teams.

 

Come prepared, with a renewed vision and focus. Expect to be inspired and equipped.

Advancement

Refining and defining vision can be a challenge. The task of communicating a vision is an even greater task.

One of the things we suggested earlier in the week was to include celebration as part of your plan to advance as a team.

Many people need encouragement when a vision is stated. They need clarity, and they need to be reminded of the "good things" God has done. Celebrating what He has done and gathering as a team to move forward, fosters encouragement, creates unity and provides a sense of community advancement.

The word celebrate means:

1. to observe (a day or event) with ceremonies of respect, festivity, or rejoicing.
2. To perform (a religious ceremony)
3. To extol or praise
4. To make widely known; display

How do you best like to celebrate?

How can we ask churches learn to celebrate more?

It's Time To Celebrate

Teams all across Western Canada are gathering and preparing for The NOVA Experience. Many of you are accessing the pre-conference implementation plan, which will help you get the most out of NOVA.

This week''s plan is to CELEBRATE!
You can do this as a church team, or as an individual.

Celebration allows people to come together to remember the things that God has done, and to encourage and remind team members of the bright future and vision that God has in store.

We encourage you to invite all those actively involved in your church ministry.

For more great ideas on how to accomplish a celebration time, check out our pre-conference implementation plan.

What are some great ways that your team celebrates?

What does your spiritual journey look like?

Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing. – Helen Keller

 

We all long to live a spirit led life. But does it ever feel like you are on a “Wild Goose Chase”? 

 

Is this something we should expect, or is a spirit led life to be one of order, ease, and predictability?

 

Mark Batterson, is one of our speakers at NOVA, and he has written a fascinating new book that will challenge your thinking.

We are pleased to offer you the first chapter of Mark's latest book, called Wild Goose Chase.

Take yourself on a journey with Mark at rediscovering the adventure of pursuing God.

Only one day left!

Tomorrow is the Early Bird Registration deadline for the NOVA Experience.

Our customer service representatives are busy taking registrations.

Has your team registered yet?

 

For those who have already registered, you are probably well on your way to using our pre-conference implementation plan as a guide to help your team get the most out of NOVA.

 

This week we encourage you to call together your lead-team—those who have input into, and/or set direction for your church as a whole.

 

Here are some great questions that may be useful to guide your discussion.

 

1. Where have we come from?
2. Where are we now?
3. Where are we going?

 

These are pretty huge questions, and yet are worth investing time and discussion into. Be sure to utilize our pre-conference implementation plan to help you break down these questions even more.

 

God has a great plan for your team, and your church. We are praying that you have greater clarity as you gather with your leaders and discuss your future.

Get Ready!

It’s hard to believe, but The NOVA Experience is a little over 6 weeks away!

 

Many have already registered and have started utilizing the pre-conference implementation plan, as a tool to begin great dialogue and vision casting as a team.

 

Our pre-conference implementation guide will help you to align your entire leadership

and volunteer team. A team aligned in the same direction has more opportunity to

make Kingdom impact.

 

Entire church teams are becoming inspired and are asking God to refine their vision and help their team increase in focus and purpose.

 

If your team hasn’t registered yet, don’t miss out on the opportunity to access the Early Bird Registration rates available only until SEPTEMBER 16^th.

What’s new at The NOVA Experience?

Our team has been busy preparing and has found new ways we can enhance your experience at NOVA. We’ve been able to provide additional opportunities for insight and inspiration.

 

Here’s what we’ve added:

 

1. Blue Like Jazz Live
   Jason Hildebrand’s solo performance of Blue Like Jazz // Live.

 

2. Goliath-Sized Questions
   Join five of Christendom’s most forward-thinking people as they weigh in on two “Goliath-Sized” questions. Occurring from 5:30-6:45 pm on Friday October 24. 

      

3. Appies with E-Mac
   An intimate and interactive time for youth and young adult pastors/point  people only.
   

4. Billeting
   A way of helping to minimize the costs involved while attending NOVA. Space is limited!