Next 2012: Day 2

May 27, 2012
(To start reading from day one scroll down)

 This was the first full day of the Next conference. I, and many others, needed coffee after staying up so late. Conveniently there is a coffee shop located in between the hotel rooms side of the convention center and the side where the conference was held in the Gatlin Ballroom. With a frappacino in hand for breakfast I headed to the first sessions of the new day. The day began with two sessions before lunch (with a short break in between).


Jared Mellinger gave a great sermon titled "The Church + Membership" about why it is important that we join ourselves to a local church. He spoke about the benefits (blessings) of being a part of a local church. The benefits/blessings include committed fellowship, greater growth, experiencing spiritual gifts, spiritual protection, godly leadership, and a powerful witness to the world. He stated that, "Church membership means active participation. We should each be involved with a sense of ownership."

Ian McConnell's sermon, titled "The Church + Sunday", was closely related. He spoke on the importance of attending your local church regularly, stating that, "We can experience a taste of Heaven hear on earth every time we gather with our local church." We have great privileges and great responsibilities that come with attending our local church.

After these sessions were over we were given free lunch! Lindsay, Suzanne, and I picked up our delicious sub sandwiches and headed outdoors to enjoy a picnic lunch in the gorgeous weather and sunshine.

During our long afternoon we break we relaxed, took a walk to the grocery store to find some cheaper food and coffee, and spent some time in and near the pool. It was nice to have this break time. 

The final session of the day was Kevin DeYoung preaching a sermon titled "The Church + Friendship." The was probably one of my favorite messages from the conference; it was on being a faithful friend rather than a foul or fake friend. It was personally convicting, encouraging, and applicable.

We finished out the evening with some late-night dancing thanks to some people who had brought along speakers and music. Also had a wonderful chat with Suzanne late into the night (or morning rather) about Kevin DeYoung's message and its application in our lives.

For these messages or any of the others (or even those from previous Next/New Attitude conferences) visit www.thisisnext.org