It’s Official: I’m presenting at the Willow Creek Group Life Conference. I’ve announced this before, but now it is official…I faxed them the signed contract this morning. Being paid to speak at things is still a new experience for me, so I wasn’t convinced that this would actually happen. For all the guff I give the mega-church, the fact that Willow wants me to share at one of their conference makes me feel special. I promise to not let it get to my already-oversized-head. :)

I was the last addition to their line-up. None of their official brochures list the details of my session, just that it is about “New Monasticism” and that the speaker is TBA. In the chance that one or two of you are going, please sign up for my session! I’d hate to have my chance to present at Willow thwarted.

Here’s the description for my “point leader” session:

In the past few years, dozens of “new monastic” communities have emerged all across North America. What is this “new monasticism?” What draws hundreds of people, most of them in their twenties, into relocating to urban neighborhoods to live lives of deep spiritual rhythm and radical hospitality?

In this breakout, Mark Van Steenwyk will explore this new spin on ancient community. New monastic communities creatively address the shallowness of our consumer culture with emphases on hospitality, peace, simplicity, prayer, missional engagement, social justice, and intentional living. Drawing upon the experiences of a number of new monastic communities, the breakout will examine the different ways in which new monasticism connects with a generation that is tired of shallow and inauthentic Christianity, and how the broader church can learn from its example.

They asked me to provide a video clip explaining the session. Here’s what I sent them:

[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/j7WCv-TZetg" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]

About Mark Van Steenwyk

Mark Van Steenwyk is a member of Missio Dei. He is a speaker, writer, educator, and grassroots organizer. With the support of the Central Plains Mennonite Conference, he travels to radical and intentional communities around the country to help network and offer support.