Church Conference Hype

This morning, I am sitting here reflecting on a conference I just returned from over the weekend. When I say "conference," I am loosely describing a gathering of one’s own church with a couple of visitors from the outside—my family and I being among them.

It has been years since I attended any sort of conference, and honestly, I did not want to go. In fact, I sort of loathed the idea, as it was just another thing on my already packed schedule. My days are full with a full-time job, pastoring a church, and serving as a school board member. I highly value my weekends because, to be honest, Saturday is the only day I have to sleep in and relax. Through the summer, I can also enjoy Fridays, but once September hits, my Fridays are gone.

So there I was at this conference, in a room with the same group of people, where they claimed it was sold out, yet a quarter of the seats were still open. There were two, maybe three, altar calls (sometimes more) given in each teaching session, using the stereotypical hype one might recognize from a teen summer camp. It starts with an invitation for new converts, and when not enough people come up, it moves to those struggling with doubt or who have had a rough week. When that doesn’t draw enough, they move on to those needing healing. The speaker for the event even talked about having a little injury—like how his finger got hurt once. Once there are enough people at the altar, their media team moves in with cameras to film those at the front, those with hands raised, and more. For someone who grew up in the hyped youth camp generation, it’s enough to make you look around and wonder what’s really happening.

Would I say the speakers were lousy? Not at all. They were dynamic and made some decent points, but certainly nothing spiritually deep. I must admit—and I realize this may just be me—but the female speaker pretty much yelled everything she said, like a mom scolding her misbehaving child. I suffer from tinnitus, and it was enough to make my ears ring so badly that I had to leave and watch on the TV in the lobby. Was it a rebellious spirit? Was the conviction too heavy? Absolutely not. But why do some women preachers feel the need to come across this way? There was one man who spoke at a normal level and was very impactful.

I guess I’ve been around long enough to recognize when something is predominantly hype and when those tactics are being used. In one hour-long worship set, they sang five songs—yes, the 7-11 choruses. You know, songs with seven words, repeated eleven times, hoping the Holy Spirit shows up. I just can’t do it. I would much rather have a few meaningful worship songs and then get to the teaching—if the speaker is prepared to go deep enough that they don’t have to assume everyone lived like the devil between sessions and needs another altar call. For the record, the conference started on Thursday and ended Saturday night. There were twelve altar calls given to accept the Lord. I’m pretty sure not too many people lost their salvation between sessions while waiting for their taco at the food truck.

Personally, will I go back? Maybe. I won’t downplay what took root in my kids—as it should. They are still learning and establishing their relationship with Christ. My little son thoroughly enjoyed the kids’ time (and what kid wouldn’t?): fun, action-packed worship songs, interactive teachings, snacks, crafts, and, when time ran long—which was every session—they watched Wild Kratts on PBS. As for me, though, let’s move beyond the elementary teachings of the word. Let’s dive into the deeper things of God. I would much rather have a weekend blocked off just to read and reflect on deeper things that will continue to grow my faith.

A personal retreat (conference) like that sounds much more appealing.