HOW TO CLEAR THE AUDITORIUM WHEN YOU SPEAK

At the invitation of a friend of mine, I attended a night of worship at the Arcada theater in St Charles. It was being put on by Global Celebration. There is a worship conference. I don't know these folks, Georgian Banov and his wife. Different Streams I guess. I did know of Kim Walker. Jesus culture and all. And some of the other worship leaders there. It was inspiring to see the place full. Main Floor and Balcony (where I sat). The worship was great. The conference goes on today... People from all kinds of worship groups are teaching worship leaders today on how to do it better. That would have been great except what happened next.

After the first 90 minutes Banov took the platform. He spoke for nearly an hour. Ostensibly to take an offering. He seems like a nice fellow. It was his ball and bat. He has as a heart for the poor. But within 30 minutes nearly the whole balcony was vacant. The folks leaving weren't standing outside. They left the building. Back to the hotel I'm guessing. They came for a night of worship. Mr Banov went on and on and on and... infinitum.

Cleared the room. I had a nice offering in my hand... but he never called for it before as a last hold out I left the building about ten PM my offering still in hand. Instructive. IF you are going to take an offering.. do it. We get it sir. You do good work, we appreciate you coming and bringing these people together, we will sow into that.. just don't kill us off before you receive.

I have been part of and helped put on some big events.. this guy needs to go to school on this. I know he goes around doing this. It must work for him, it just didn't for me and most of the folks in the balcony. Some good folks were part of this effort. PMI and Life Church of St Chuck. I know them and they would not have so conducted.

I hope the conference turns out OK. It sure started out rough.