Words can't describe how awesome, challenging, gripping and thoroughly enjoyable my first two weeks at the Abundant Life Church's Academy has been. Below is one quote from each session of my first two weeks. It's my best attempt at transferring some of the most significant things I've learned.

Week One:

“For years, the church has been behind in creating culture and environments on purpose. We are working these things out so that we can reach out to the lost.”
-Matt Hooper (Tuesday September 13, 2011)

Re: Leadership. “My prayer is that you all desire it, you all live it, and you all want more of it.”
-Dave Niblock (Wednesday, September 14, 2011)

Re: service. “We love to do it more than we like to talk about it.”
-Claire Hooper (Wednesday, September 14, 2011)

“If you can stay in good attitude, that will be the making of you.”
-Abs Niblock (Wednesday, September 14, 2011)   

“Your influence is about as strong as your personal conviction is, especially in areas of theology, ecclesiology, and yourself.”
-Steven Matthew (Wednesday, September 14, 2011)   

“At ALC, we have this momentum of serving and we want you to come with that ethic.”
-Paul Scanlon (Thursday, September 15, 2011)

Re: ALC Music Culture. “We talk to people, provoke, encourage. It’s brisk, bright, energetic, quick, about celebration and life.” (3 key words: Life-giving, Confident, Victorious)
-Matt Hooper (Thursday, September 15, 2011)

Our Mission Statement
R- Reach the lost
E- Establish the church
E – Equip the saints
D – Disciple the nations
God spoke to us about that from Rev 1:1. “Take a reed and go an measure the temple, the people that come, go” The reed was the measuring tool or device.
-Steven Matthew (Friday, September 16, 2011)

“His testimony changed my life. Relationship changed my life, not religion.”
-Pam Grimshaw (Friday, September 16, 2011)

“Look for the people who are totally fired up for God. Ask for time with them. Look for the busy people, those actively engaged in the purposes of God.”
-Steve Gambill (Friday, September 16, 2011)

Week Two:

“When looking at Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we see that any attributes of God are found in each person of the trinity. Yet God, chooses to differentiate himself in Scripture. Why? It helps us; looking at the Trinitarian model helps us learn who we are.” – Chris Fox (Monday, September 19, 2011)

“I’ve seen church leaders falling in to affairs. Nothing has the surgical skill, with such speed, to ruin lives. King David sees Bathsheba: When did David fall? David fell in the 10 seconds when he kept on looking and asked, ‘What’s her name?’ —I’m tired and weary of seeing this!” — Rob Parsons (Monday, September 19, 2011)

“It’s up to us which thoughts we choose to hang on to or let go of. We have to be wise, we need to be sifting and latch onto the right things. Meditate on the Word day and night so that you will prosper and have success. Fix your conscious mind on those things.” – Mark Stevens (Tuesday, September 20, 2011)

“All of us tend to caricature God.” – Chris Fox (Tuesday, September 20, 2011)

False equations:
Performance + Accomplishments = Significance
Status + Recognition = Security
Appearance + Admiration = Acceptance
- Freedom in Christ session led by Matt Hooper (Wednesday, September 21, 2011)

“This is a holy model of leadership. God’s not into hierarchy. This model tells us that the order for you and me is this: we need to be purpose-centered first, then ‘right-process’ second, then third: looking to help and support.” – Chris Fox (Wednesday, September 21, 2011)

“Can you imagine if Jairus would have said, ‘I give up, my daughter is dead.’ I feel God trying to force us to not look at the natural any more. We must have a different perspective — a heavenly one — on every situation.” – Mark Stevens (Thursday, September 22, 2011)

“You need to have an ever deepening sense of who you are and who He is. Otherwise, you will instead focus on a list of what you do. Because we’re driven and want to prove ourselves, we want to stamp our feet and put our hand up and get noticed, fearing our chance will pass us by.” – Matt Hooper (Thursday, September 22, 2011)

“One devotional size doesn’t fit all. Never let your walk with God weaken or become lukewarm. Let’s be hot on fire, for Him, every day. He wants you to walk deeper with him” – Mark Stevens (Thursday, September 22, 2011)

“We can develop our theology from a couple of places. We can develop our understanding of God from the Holy Scriptures, and from what other people have said about the Bible. Hold those two in the right place.” – Tim Staples (Friday, September 23, 2011)