When I arrived in Atlanta on January 2nd for Passion 2010 I was a mix of emotion and thought. On one hand the Passion Conference I attended in 2008 was pivotal in influencing me to go on the World Race in the first place. On the other, I just spent the last 11 months worshiping God to acoustic guitars and drums but felt the Holy Spirit more then I ever had in my whole life. And heard teaching out of a tool shed but got revelation after revelation about the nature of God and our faith. So I was a little worried that this superficial American conference/concert would make me gag. But after 4 days and 3 nights of Passion music with Chris Tomlin, Fee, David Crowder, Hillsong United, Matt Redman, and Kristian Stanfill. And speakers such as Louie Giglio, Beth Moore, Francis Chan, Andy Stanley, and John Piper…here’s where I am at.
During the first main session on Saturday evening, I began going through my checklist during worship. Big…check, loud…check, flashy…check, fashionable…check, American…check. So far it was what I expected it to be and I was a little disappointed. But then Louie Giglio came up and spoke. And on the opening night of a 4 day conference for 18-25 year old christians, he taught on how a lot of times God allows us to go through trials and suffering so that He can get more glory. I was stunned. On the opening night Louie told a bunch of college students that suffering is necessary in Christianity. How bold…and counter cultural…and counter generational. And it didn’t stop there. Beth Moore talked about how God equips us for His purposes but using suffering and hardship. And then of course John Piper but the icing on the cake when He explained how life is about God and our primary purpose is to glorify Him. So then once I got my head out of my bum I began to see the Holy Spirit was there in all aspects.
So whats my verdict on Passion? I think in a world where there’s christians on one side and the world on the other, Passion is trying to be cultural and biblical without selling out. And I say kudos to you Passion. Bringing Jesus to the world in a cultural and radical way without selling out is an art that most Christ followers never mastered and never will. When Louie stands up on the stage and says that this movement is all about Jesus and His name lifted up…I believe Him.
