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We just experienced an absolute whirlwind. The band guys and I are still buzzing from all that God did this weekend at Verge. I honestly can’t remember beign a part of a more Spirit-led, holy, sacred worship gathering than what we experienced together here in Austin. It was not a conference; it was a encounter with God. No question about it.
Everything from break-outs, to main worship sessions, to rapid-fire speaker panels centered around a few things: centrality of Jesus, mission, and community. Something really spectacular was stirred in the room of 2,000 people PLUS the many people that viewed all the sessions online live. It was surreal to be a part of, honestly.
Here’s a few things that stuck out to me from the weekend:
- A ton of authors, speakers, leaders, and thinkers presented in main sessions and break-outs. I never got any impression that there were egos or competitive hearts. There was a sense of unity and togetherness.
- Pastors from megachurches, microchurches, house churches, coffee-shop churches, etc… all in a room together seeking God in how to lead their people well and serve their community in love. Now, that’s cool.
- Alan Hirsch is trendy. He should be a musician.
- I loved seeing so many artists from my own church serving at Verge. From the amazing “Choir For The City” that led with us to the collection of photographers that were bouncing around all weekend snapping shots, it was great to see artists/friends serving all weekend long. (you can see some great photos from these photographers here)
- I felt very small after this weekend. God’s presence was so obvious, there’s no way any person could take any credit for what happened in the room in those sessions. It was a humbling thing to be a part of leading. And I count it an absolute privilege that God let me be a part.
- The house show section of the Saturday session was down-right FUN. So thankful to be able to share that. Had great feedback. Many people asked for some direction on questions concerning adoption, help haiti shirts, etc… so, here’s some resources to check out:
- Abba Fund
- Help Haiti Shirt
- Real Hope For Haiti
- Haiti Rescue Center (where Amos & Story are from)
- Francis Chan’s “Big Red Tractor” = brilliant.
- Twitter ruled Verge.
- I’m beyond grateful to do life and mission and music with amazing friends. What a kind God to let us do life and mission with the people we love.
- Austin worship leaders need to connect more. It was really great to meet worship leaders across the city. We should get together… who’s in?
- “We’ve made it acceptable for people to sit in church every week and do nothing, and still call themselves followers of Jesus.” (Ed Stetzer)
- “Every book in the New Testament talks about suffering, but we’re suprised when it happens to us. We must suffer to see Jesus.” (Francis Chan)
- “If you love your mission more than you love Jesus, Jesus will not be a part of your mission.” (Matt Carter)
- “Truth: Christians should be the most creative, playful, rested, and caring people in your community.” (Jeff Vanderstelt)
Amazed by all that God did and will continue to do. If you had any thoughts, leave a comment and link to your blog.
February 8th, 2010 @ 9:19 am
Aaron – great to hear your thoughts on this. I was unfortunately in L.A. during verge, and unable to catch much streaming… So I’ve been pilfering everyone elses experience.
Also, as a local worship leader, I’m in.
February 8th, 2010 @ 10:09 am
I am in for the Austin Group meet.
February 8th, 2010 @ 10:22 am
Great stuff this weekend Aaron – I was there via the livestream due to a crazy root canal experience on Wednesday…blah.
I was blown away by the experience even from behind my computer screen in Round Rock!
Love the idea of an Austin Worship Leader connect…
February 8th, 2010 @ 10:24 am
AMEN!!!!
I’m in for the austin thing, and know several others you would be as well!!!
February 8th, 2010 @ 10:50 am
I watched the stream over here in NC. I really enjoybed Aaron and his band…..and their message. Verge was great via stream. The emphasis on adoption by Aaron pushes me beyond my comfort zone. Made me realize I want to make a difference without making any sacrifices, without paying any price. Wow…that is NOT what Jesus modeled for me.
February 8th, 2010 @ 10:59 am
Amazed by this weekend. God is so good!! It is humbling to be in a room with that many believers focused on THE mission that we have as Christ followers. Time to get back to the basics, the basics of the Gospel minus the corruption of religion. my heart was stirred, convicted, uplifted, shredded, exposed…still processing through lots of stuff.
February 8th, 2010 @ 11:08 am
Aaron, me and my husband left conventional church a couple of years ago to do this organic thing. What a ride! I really appreciated you and the band this weekend. The only part of conv. church i miss is the MUSIC! you were so moved by the spirit and it was a real pleasure to be a part of the whole weekend. btw, your little Haiti presentation and amos story song has pretty much flipped my and my hubby right upside down! I think the Lord is leading us to adopt from Haiti. Makes my tummy fill with butterflies and my head start to float away!!! Can’t wait to see what God has planned for us!
February 8th, 2010 @ 12:19 pm
Looks like you and I were wrong about twitter. We both ripped on it for quite a while…
February 8th, 2010 @ 12:39 pm
Amazing conference indeed. We came in from Memphis, and I was still reeling from Verge at church yesterday morning.
Been listening to “Between the Beauty & Chaos” on repeat for about 48 hours now. Brilliant. Thanks for your service.
And don’t ever let Bush shave that thing!
February 8th, 2010 @ 1:06 pm
Tyler – dang, we were wrong.
Josh – he will NEVER be allowed to shave that thing!
and ok…i’ll schedule an ATX Worship Leader Connect. I’ll post info on here soon!
February 8th, 2010 @ 1:14 pm
Aaron, thanks for being a lead worshiper the past few days. It was truly an extraordinary few days, of listening, learning, networking and both listening and speaking to God. Thanks for the important role you played.
February 8th, 2010 @ 1:43 pm
Verge wasn’t just a conference… I believe a movement has begun. I think this may be the beginning of radical change in the modern day church. I’m in for a Worship Leader connect as well… as long as Tex-Mex is involved.
February 8th, 2010 @ 1:50 pm
brad – so glad you were there!
justin – yes, let’s plan this. tex-mex or coffee for sure. or dare i say…BOTH!?!?!?
February 8th, 2010 @ 3:13 pm
not much of a “conference guy” but I managed to cry my eyes out all weekend. thanks for leading so well. thanks for the house show.
see you at thunderbird.
February 8th, 2010 @ 5:05 pm
dude. there were several great things about verge2010 – and i am absolutely thrilled to be able to claim the music as one of them: i worshiped via nashville, tn – a long way from texas – but i felt like i didn’t miss a beat with you guys leading, the speakers sharing, and people tweeting and talking – it was a phenomenal experience honestly.
thanks for continuing to bring something “new” to the table with your music, lyrics, and gifts.
if you even find yourself bored or just surfing, i recently wrote some thoughts regarding “the new” at my site: http://www.abeautifulmess.info
thanks again, aaron and company!
February 8th, 2010 @ 6:41 pm
Aaron,
You are so on point with your comments.
Thankyou for your comments concerning art on sat. My husband and I are both artists. I’m a visual and music artist, my husband a music artist and writer. I love what you’re doing with your music. May the Lord continue to bless it ABUNDANTLY!
Verge was awesome! Thankyou Father for allowing me to be there.
February 8th, 2010 @ 9:43 pm
When you led us in “It is Well”, that was the sweetest worship time ever! And so Spirit led. It was a privilege to be a part. Celebrating what God had done at the conference by singing “Oh Happy Day” was….I am speechless…and to see Cello Man be so free in his worship during that song stirred my soul. I truly believe that God will use that to show the people that they too can be free in their worship. Thank you and the team for leading us well….we are blessed by y’alls leadership.
February 9th, 2010 @ 8:51 am
I was snowed in all weekend and watched the conference streaming. Totally a God thing as it confirmed so much of what we have been hearing from the Lord latey. Do you know if any of the sessions will be available for download? I need to share this with people!
February 11th, 2010 @ 10:47 am
Love that photo…wish I could’ve been there man! Heard great things about it.