The Three 'As' of a Great Meeting

Our team recently attended a conference.  Upon returning back to our home, someone asked me, "How did it go?"  My response to that question is the principle of the "Three A's".  There are three general ways we monitor conference success.

The first 'A' is attendance.  Who came to the event?  How many people came to the event?  Did the people we want to come to the event attend?  How did our projections compare with reality?

The second 'A' is atmosphere.  How did you feel at the event?  Did the sessions, plenary speaker, and topics relate to your situation?  Did I get adequate time with the people I wanted to interact with?  Did my expectations match with the actual conference?

However, the third 'A' is application.  I think this marker is only monitored at an appropriate distance to the event, at least three months.  Did the participants understand the information and teaching?  Did the participants realize a need for the new information?  Did the information the participants received affect behavior, patterns, or goals?  What concepts and practices were abandoned in favor of new ideas presented?

Each time we host an event, we must remember a critical question, "What if this actually works?"  We must be keenly aware that not only are some listening to what we say, but some may actually follow us and do what we suggest.  Wisdom will suggest discretion and caution before announcing grandiose plans which do nothing for the extension of God's kingdom, but only further our own agendas.

So, in answer to the question - "Yes, all of the presenters were prepared and attendance topped 300.  Yes, the accommodations, speaker, sessions, and discussions were outstanding.  I'll get back to you in a couple of months about the third 'A'.

Time for reflection:

1)  Think back to a recent conference you attended.  Review the notes and do something today as a takeaway from the material presented.

Every time we say 'yes' to God and 'no' to our sin and selfishness, God receives glory and it is for our good.