Elephant Room Recap

Today I had the great pleasure of attending a live simulcast of The Elephant Room Round 2.  The awesome folks at Blueprint Church in Atlanta were kind enough to host the event and I can't say enough about their warmness.  Out here in suburbia I don't get much diversity at my local church; it was wonderful to see the way that Blueprint facilitates people from all ethnic tribes into an authentic relationship with Jesus!

The highlight of the day for me was when TD Jakes confessed a Trinitarian view and received a fist-bump from Mark Driscoll in return.  I thought that moment captured the purpose of the event so well.  It was a great day of grace and truth as 7 prominent Christian brothers came together and spoke with civility, depth, and rawness about some of the most important issues facing the church today.

I know that there will always be some people out there, many of whom didn't even sit down and watch the talks, who will tear apart all the things that were said today in an effort to look for the slightest hint of heresy.  Thats the mindset I am naturally inclined towards myself.  I thank God for The Elephant Room because I need a constant reminder to "Preach the Gospel and not Critique the Gospel" as Steven Furtick said earlier.

Here are a few more of the most profound (paraphrased) quotes that I took down today...


Don't cloud the gospel
Crawford

Denominations still deserve some honor and respect for their work in pioneering the way for many of us.
Steven

Baptism isn't what saves you, but it is the first thing saved people do.
James

Work on yourself more than your ministry or you'll burn out.  Those around you will be automatic beneficiaries if you take care of you.
Wayne

The devil doesn't care which side of the boat you go off.
Wayne

We who herald the truth often do not tell the truth beyond that truth we herald.
Jakes

We need to stop looking in the mirror and singing "how great thou art."
Crawford

God doesn't use what we bring to the table he uses what we surrender to him
Crawford

Your church can be no more integrated than your life.
Jakes

The church isn't doing as well as the nightclubs when it comes to integration.
Jakes

I am appalled by the lack of moral courage in the church of Christ today.
Crawford

Heaven will be awesome because the richness of all the nations will be represented.
James

You can tell a lot about a mans life by the countenance of his wife.
James

We get so focused on a fallen leaders sin that we don't see the dysfunction in the family that led to the moral failure.
Jakes

Create a culture of holiness in your leaders...
Wayne

You can teach what you know but you are gonna reproduce what you are.
Wayne

Some people say they are defending the gospel when they are really just crappy friends.
Steven

The closer we are to the gospel the closer we are to each other.
Crawford

Give your life to Jesus, its worth it even if nothing visible comes of it.
James

I'm really concerned for this generation because its so disconnected from the faith rhythms that went down the corridors of time before it.
Crawford

We must be careful not to become a sub-culture instead of a counter culture.
Wayne 
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BTW - They are doing a special offer for just the next few hours...

Round 2 DVDs for $39.00

Both Rounds DVDs for $69.00

http://www.theelephantroom.com/presale

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UPDATE


A good article on the ER2.


http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/trevinwax/2012/01/26/grace-and-truth-beyond-the-elephant-room/