WFX Atlanta Day One, started bright an early, but it didn't take long for attendees to be reminded of why they were here. It was obvious that Worship Leader, Rick Muchow, understood his audience during the morning worship time, just prior to the morning's keynote address. Muchow, former worship leader at Saddleback Church, led the near standing-room-only crowd into through a spectacular range of cover and original worship tunes, highlighted by an oldie, but goodie, Matt Redman's “Heart of Worship”. For those who may not know the history of the song, the Redman's lyrics tell of a worshiper who desires to strip it all away --- all the high-end production, all the technology, all the contrived emotion --- and simply come before God. Muchow acknowledged the importance of the tools and technology found in today's modern worship, but he implored the audience to prayerfully seek God's wisdom as they prepared for three days of education and exploration at WFX.
Researcher, Alan Hirsh, founder of the Forge Mission Network, gave the morning keynote. His presentation into the history and current state of Christendom was more than engaging and thought-provoking. His message, entitled “The 60/40 Problem,” cites research that says the best-case scenario of the mega-church model (which he happens to support) is that is reaches 40% of the population. The problem, he points out, is that most growing churches are pursuing a mega-church model. “But what about the other 60%?” Hirsch questions. Clearly, it will take a different model, according to Hirsch. Research and trying to define that model, or models, is something to which Hirch is devoting life.
After a very inspirational and motivating morning worship and keynote address, the the WFX crowd moved to the first of over 150 conference classes and the opening of the expo hall floor, with over 230 exhibitors.
The WFX Solomon and New Product Awards were announced Wednesday afternoon at an event in the Church Production Magazine/Worship Facilities Magazine booth on the expo floor. Nearly 50 products, building designs, architects, builders, integrators and church teams were recognized during the awards ceremony. Details on the WFX Solomon and New Products Awards can be found here.
With more than half of the conference classes ahead, the best may be yet to come on Thursday and Friday.
Thursday's highlights include morning worship with Pastor Jermaine Rodriguez and The Westover Hills Worship Team, followed by a keynote address by Stovall Weems, founder and lead pastor of Celebration Church in Jacksonville, Florida. Celebration Church is a global, diverse, multisite church that reaches people from all walks of life.
Of the more than 60 WFX conference classes to be held on Thursday topics include: “High End Video Production On A Low-End Budget,” “What Happens When You ‘Make It' as a Tech or Media Director?”, and “The Church of Tomorrow – The Impact of Social Media and Technology on the Church and its Members.”
WFX continues with 30 more conference classes on Friday to before concluding that afternoon.
WFX - Worship Facilities Conference and Expo is being held September 19-21, 2012 at Atlanta's Georgia World Congres Center. For more information, visit www.wfxweb.com
WFX 2013 will be held at the Dallas Convention Center, Dallas, Texas, October 2-4, 2013.
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