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Willow Announces Speakers for Leadership Summit ‘07

Orginally published on Monday, February 19, 2007 at 9:33 AM
by Todd Rhoades

A former Secretary of State and former U.S. president will be among the speakers at The Leadership Summit 2007. Colin Powell and Jimmy Carter will join Bill Hybels and a host of other leadership experts for the two-and-a-half-day event, August 9-11. The Leadership Summit, now in its twelfth year, will be experienced live in more than 100 locations across North America and via videocast and in an additional 50+ cities around the world...

This year’s speakers are:

Bill Hybels
Senior Pastor, Willow Creek Community Church and Founder of The Leadership Summit
Senior pastor of Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois, and Chairman of the Board for the Willow Creek Association. Hybels is known worldwide for his work equipping and training church leaders and is the author of Courageous Leadership and Holy Discontent, releasing June 2007.

General Colin Powell
Former U.S. Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
U.S. Secretary of State from 2001 to 2005 under President George W. Bush and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 1989 to 1993, Powell is the founder of America’s Promise — The Alliance for Youth. He is also the author of a best-selling memoir, My American Journey.

Jimmy Carter
39th President of the United States and 2002 Nobel Peace Prize Recipient
Carter is founder of the Carter Center in Atlanta that promotes health, democracy, and human rights across the globe. Carter is well known for his work on behalf of Habitat for Humanity, and his many books include 2005’s Our Endangered Values: America’s Moral Crisis.

John Ortberg
Best-selling author and teaching pastor of Menlo Park Presbyterian Church in California
Teaching pastor of Menlo Park Presbyterian Church in California and best-selling author, Ortberg is a sought-after speaker on the subject of spiritual formation. His books include If You Want to Walk On Water, You’ve Got to Get Out of the Boat and the upcoming release, When the Game is Over, It All Goes Back in the Box.

Carly Fiorina
Former President and Chief Executive Officer of Hewlett-Packard Company
President and chief executive officer of Hewlett-Packard Company from 1999 to 2005, Fiorina lead the innovative technology firm in a rapidly changing business climate. She is familiar with the challenges of taking risks and making courageous decisions during organizational change and details her experiences in the 2006 memoir, Tough Choices.

Hon. Rev. Floyd Flake
Senior Pastor and Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral of New York and President of Wilberforce University
Senior pastor of the 23,000-member Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral of New York in Queens and president of Wilberforce University in Ohio. He served as a U.S. Congressman for 11 years and is the author of Nine Action Steps for Achieving Your Dreams: The Way of the Bootstrapper.

Warren Bennis
Author, Professor, Consultant, and Pioneer in the Study of Leadership
Once named the “Dean of Leadership Gurus” by FORBES magazine, Bennis is one of the world’s foremost authorities on leadership. He is a pioneer in the study of leadership, the Distinguished Professor of Business Administration at the University of Southern California, and chairman of the advisory board at Harvard University’s Center for Public Leadership.

Michael Porter
Professor at Harvard Business School and International Authority on Competitive Strategy
Bishop William Lawrence University Professor at Harvard Business School and author of 17 books. An international authority on competitive strategy, Porter is creator and chair of The New CEO Workshop at Harvard which focuses on the challenges of assuming leadership, setting agendas, and addressing major communication issues.

Richard Curtis
Oscar-nominated Screenwriter and Founder of the Make Poverty History Campaign
Best known as the Oscar-nominated screenwriter for Four Weddings and a Funeral, Curtis’ most recent film, The Girl in the Café, asked hard questions about third-world debt and poverty in Africa. Curtis founded or co-founded the Make Poverty History campaign, Live 8 concerts, as well as Comic Relief, to raise money for victims of famine in Ethiopia.

More information here...

HT:  Because I Said So

FOR DISCUSSION: Any thoughts on this list?  My first impression is one of a little disappointment… no one in the list this year that really trips my trigger.  How about you?


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  There are 21 Comments:

  • Posted by kent

    Nice line up.

  • Posted by

    Wow! I got two of my requested speakers! Carly F and John Ortberg (I’m glad he’s back, I always took the most notes during his talks.)

  • Posted by Mark

    Sounds like a great lineup to me!  Carly on organizational change, Colin Powell on leadership, Michael Porter is a thought-leader in strategy.  Throw in Ortberg Carter and Bennis...This will be a good one.

    mark

  • Posted by David Jankowski

    I find Jimmy Carter to be one of the most offensive speakers since President Clinton. Carter’s stance against Israel is well known as are his caustic remarks about a fellow-Christian, George Bush. I would be happy to have Carter disinvited.

  • Posted by Brad Raby

    Jimmy Carter...Is he going to discuss the topic: “What to do when your board resigns because you think Adrain Rogers was a hatemonger and Israel is the real problem in the Middle East”??

  • Posted by

    I guess we will have the chance to learn how to tick off just about every culture in society.  He will give us the opportunity to understand what happens to a person when they call themselves a Christian but live like a person of social hate and bigotry.  The fact is his ideas and beliefs alienate him from most of the people who will come to the leadership conference.  However, Pastor Bill is not one to shy away from controversy; this is the same man who met with President Clinton for years during his presidency.  The question is can we learn valuable things from a man who has probably missed his mark and opportunity in life to herald Christ in the way he should have.  I think the answer to this is Yes!  Are they things that are encouraging or things that you will change your ideas of him?  Probably not, however, the things he may say and help us understand are things that are important if we desire to follow Christ more faithfully and hope to never find ourselves in the position that President Carter has lived in for decades.  More or less, he is one speaker that lives a life not to be mirrored and can teach Christ followers what not to do if you desire to love and help people.  Of course, this is just all opinion.

  • Posted by Leonard

    Hmm.  Just wondering what Rick really thinks.  I agree there is no one I am in a hurry to go see or hear on this list other than Ortberg, who can be seen and heard in other venues.  I’ll more than likely skip this year and choose another Leadership conference tailored to my specific needs.

  • Posted by

    Leonard,
    I am not one to let my feelings out.  Maybe next time I will give my true feelings.  I did not want to offend anyone so I tried to be sensitive, ya know?  LOL

  • Posted by Todd Rhoades

    Leonard said, “I’ll more than likely skip this year and choose another Leadership conference tailored to my specific needs.”

    How totally consumeristic of you, Leonard!  smile

    I’m with you… Ortberg is the only one that I’ve hear that I’d like to hear again.  He’s an excellent communicator.

    Carter and Powell, while they will speak on leadership principles, give it an overly political/social feel this year.

    I’m a big fan of LS, but this list just didn’t get me too motivated this year.  Probably just me.

    Todd

  • Posted by Leonard

    Does anyone know of a Leadership conference in the Bahamas tailored to sitting on the beach without a cell phone?  I cannot find one yet.

  • Posted by Ernie

    Todd, It is not just you.  I believe that some of these so call leaders on the list are questionable in ethics and morals.  What is Hybels trying to accomplish?

    Former President Jimmy Carter is the perfect example of someone that calls themselves a Christian but does not live as if Christ is Lord of their life.  As former govenor of Arkansas Huckabee says, Don’t trust anyone who says they keep their politics and faith separate.  It just doesn’t work that way.

  • Posted by

    Great line up - can’t wait to go.  Carter has always tried to follow Jesus’s greatest commandment - Love your neighbor, his life has been devoted to reconciliation, he was terrific at President Ford’s funeral.  Powell -great for leadership and extremely ethical.  Carly Fiorina will be interesting to listen to - she has an interesting story and I like seeing women in the lineup.  Ortberg is always great. 
    I love that Hybels has the courage to bring people of different beliefs, backgrounds, and experiences together.  By listening and building relationships with those we may not agree with we can learn to live, work, worship and govern better.  I think Jesus would be one of the first to sign up.  I’m signing up today!

  • Posted by

    Do I even need to respond to that statement Susan?  Carter following a commandment of Jesus?  Are you being cynical?  He has a funny way of showing love to his neighbors.  Please bring me before the elders if I love people the way he does.  Maybe he should worry about loving people into the arms of Christ than spouting his social comments and waging wars that in the realm of the supernatural die at the door.  If I am missing some understanding of President Carter, please enlighten me with his quotes and stories. 

    In regards to your thoughts on Hybles, I agree totally.  I think he tries to objectively open all doors of leadership in the hopes of gaining different perspectives.  I think his ability to break the divides allow leaders insight they might not have sought on their own.  However, I am not extremely impressed with the list he has compiled this year.  I would take Malcolm Gladwell again over a few of these people.  In addition, we can read about Collin and the President’s leadership in many books, unlike so many other great-untapped leaders in our society. 

    I appreciate your comments and look forward to your response!

  • Posted by kent

    Well I am curious. ouside of not supporting israel in what they do, which I am not always amused by their behaviors, and not supporting George Bush which makes sense to me since they come at things from a such a different perspectives, what is the evil that Jimmy has done? Rick you obviously have some issues with the former president. So what gives?

  • Posted by

    Every year at the LS there are some speakers I’ve never really heard of, and who really knock the ball out of the park.  I never heard of Patrick Lenconi before hearing him at the Summit.  And all I knew of Steven Sample before hearing him was his name in connection with USC . . . but his message and book were very impactful to my ministry. 

    And also every year there are a few speakers who I find to be “ho-hum” – nothing new, nothing motivating, etc. 

    All that to say that it is the Summit as an event which I have come to count on.  And overall, I’ve yet to attend one that was disappointing.

    I’m really bothered by the comments (Rick, Ernie, David) about Jimmy Carter, even to the point of questioning his Christianity (“as someone who calls himself a Christian.”) Did he say something about Bush’s Christianity that offended you Rick, or did he just make a strong public statement in opposition to Bush’s politics and the war in Iraq.  The latter is both understandable and appropriate.  It is perfectly acceptable, and even appropriate for us to occasionally strongly disagree with another “fellow Christian.” The fact one another on subjects about which we have great emotion . . . and still show love and respect to one another is exactly how we are different . . . and what makes us Jesus to the world that needs to see Him.

    Having Carter speak about our leadership roles related to issues that we all agree about (or should agree about), like addressing global or national poverty or health issues, is like RW bringing Barak Obama to address the Aids crisis in Africa.  Perfectly appropriate. 

    Though I do agree with Todd that having Powell and Carter at the Summit COULD give it an overly political leaning.  Depends on what they actually say, and that remains to be seen.

    Wendi

  • Posted by

    Wendi,
    You obviously did not understand my point.  I would challenge you to re-read my posts, as I have said nothing about “Bush”.  In fact, my dispute with President Carter is over his social actions and has nothing to do with his political opinions.  However, nonetheless you have tried to paint me into some corner about politics.  That is the type of stuff that drives me crazy.  My desire is that we worry more about directing people towards Jesus then politics.  This world, America too will one day disintegrate and the conversations that divide conservatives and liberals will go up in smoke with it.  However, our lives in Christ and the legacies we leave behind will remain forever.  I challenge your statements because you presuppose my political beliefs and my comments reach deeper to the heart of the issue. 

    Furthermore, leadership is not something we all agree upon and nor should we.  Many different leaders lead in many different ways.  I believe that you may do things I would not do and I may do things you may not do.  The reason for this is that our audiences may differ in their needs for leadership. 

    In addition, I obviously do not see Mr. Carter the way you do and to your disappointment, it has nothing to do with Bush.  I do not agree with President Carter’s tactics, some of ideological beliefs, and many of his comments.  I do not know that he is a “Christian” any more than you are.  I would speak the same things had you or my father done them.  I do believe if you proclaim to be a Christ follower then you must dedicate yourself, your ideas, comments, and actions in that manner and I am not sure I agree with the way he appropriates his actions.  Therefore, if you would like to correct me, please feel free!  Please though, give me proof about his Christ like actions, his statements and comments, not that Mr. Carter stands before my court, my only meaning is so many people try to argue without facts.  My only desire is that if you disagree with me please let us deal with the facts of the discussion and not repudiate them. 

    I would also like to make this comment, just because I may disagree with President Carter’s tactics does not mean that I think of him less in the kingdom.  My point is when you have a prominent platform and you proclaim Christianity on it, please do as Christ would.  If you only desire to do good things and help some people socially, that is great.  If you choose to make comments or do things that do not relate to Christ then I suggest you stand on your own two feet and not on the “Christian” pedestal.  Thank you for hearing my thoughts Wendy, I pray you do not group me in with all of your friends who do not like someone just because of their political beliefs.  It is possible to disagree with someone who is political and not bring politics into the scenario.  God Bless!

  • Posted by Brad Raby

    The Carter issue isn’t political at its core, and he hasn’t just lost the support of most evangelicals...Jimmy Carter has recently lost many other of his closest supporters.  Examples of this is evident when 14 members of his advisory board resigned.  htttp://www.cnn.com/2007/US/01/11/carter.resignations/index.html

    Furthermore in his book “Our Endangered Values” he clearly blames conservative Christians for the problems in our country and in our world.  Al Mohler, a legitimate thinker and theologian wrote a good analysis here: http://www.floridabaptistwitness.com/5261.article

    I am a big fan of Bill H. and his historic ‘courageous leadership’ but Jimmy Carter doesn’t exude great leadership to me. 

    For the record, Jesus would not be signing up for any of Bill Hybels, Rick Warrens, Andy Stanleys, or any other conference...I am quite confident that He would be the Host Sponsor and Keynote speaker.

    Brad

  • Posted by

    Rick,

    I know that you didn’t say anything about Carter and Bush.  Note that I grouped three posters (you, Ernie, David) who I felt (feel) were being inappropriately pejorative about Carter’s Christianity.  It was David who made the statement about Carter’s “caustic” remarks to “fellow Christian George Bush.”

    However, you did say to Susan: [Carter following a commandment of Jesus?  Are you being cynical?  He has a funny way of showing love to his neighbors.]

    That sure sounds like questioning his Christianity to me . . .

    You may not know for sure whether Carter or I are Christians, but since we both claim to be Christ followers, I sure hope you will assume us to be.

    I did reread your posts, and in them you make clear that you don’t like Carter’s ideologies.  But I didn’t read anything in your posts that offers evidence of actions that should disqualify him as a leader.

    Wendi

  • Posted by Leonard

    Wendi,
    You are such a liberal. (I would put a smiley face here if I knew how) Carter has done some good things but I think his comments about conservative Christians causing much of the trouble in this world hurt my ability to seek his wisdom on leadership.

  • Posted by

    Leonard, Rick . . .

    What did he say about conservative Christians?  I guess I’ve had my liberal head in the sand (I don’t know how to get those smiley faces either).

    Wendi

  • Posted by Ernie

    I’m sorry I don’t believe that I mentioned Jimmy Carter’s views toward President Bush or the war in Iraq either.  Carter does not exude the qualities of an exceptional leader.  For example, as Brad mentioned, 14 members of his own foundation resigned because of his rabid views.  Another example of less than stellar leadership is the fact that a denomination did not agree with him on a whole host of doctrinal issues so he and Bill Clinton decided to promote another.  Also blaming conservative Christians for the moral degradation of our country?  What leadership tactic is that?
    So if great leadership is alienating those that follow you, quiting your organization because the majority does not agree with you and blaming others for problems then by all means sign me up!

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