Adventures from MinistryCOM « It’s Good To Be Dave

Adventures from MinistryCOM

A lot of other people have posted their notes from MinistryCOM so I don’t think I’m going to do that here. If you really want to see notes check out Tim’s blog because we sat in most of the same sessions.

The conference was great. Most of the speakers were very engaging and I don’t think I’ve ever walked away from a conference feeling like I have so much knowledge that I can actually use in my job. I met some really great people and it was an awesome opportunity to network with other church commuications folks. I’m definatly going back next year and hopefully the other people on my communications team will come as well.

Besides the conference I had quite the adventure getting home. I was flying from Phoenix to Atlanta and then supposed to fly to Appleton. I got a good deal on the ticket thanks to my brother, but had to fly standby. All my flights were smooth until the very last one. I got into Atlanta at 12:15 and went to the desk to check on open seats for my 3:15 flight. There were plenty of seats and only one other person on the standby list. So I hung out for a few hours and then returned to the gate. They started boarding the plane and just a few minutes before I was to go on 5 or 6 guys come running up to the desk saying “we were supposed to fly to Green Bay, but the flight was cancelled, so they told us we could get on here to go to Appleton.” I’m thinking “oh crap, I’m going to get bumped.” If you’re not aware, flying standby means you only get on if there are extra seats available. So while these guys are trying to get their tickets changed, I go up and check with the ticket lady. I say “Um, yah, I’m flying standby and just need to check if there are still seats open.” She looks at my ticket and asks my name and then says “oh yah, I already cleared you. Go ahead.” I’m thinking “sweet! I can’t believe I’m actually getting on this flight.” I walk down the hallway thing, get on the plane and sit down. Then two seconds later a guy comes up and says, “Are you Mr. Crow?” and I said I was to which he replied, “Sir, please come with me.” At this point I’m thinking “Dang it! So close! And now all these people think I’m a terrorist or something.”

The lady apologized for clearing me when she wasn’t supposed to and then told me to go to the re-booking desk. I go to the desk and you don’t actually talk to a person. They have these black phones you pick up and it connects you to Delta. I pick up the phone and explain the situation and they inform me that there are no more flights going out to Appleton tonight and all the Green Bay flights are cancelled. My options are to fly to Milwaukee (2 hours away from Appleton) or stay the night in the Atlanta airport. I have to admit that I was freaking out a bit. I went ahead and listed myself for Milwaukee hoping that Megan would be able to come and get me. She was teaching her leaders for the fall at this time so I couldn’t get ahold of her. About a half hour before my Milwaukee flight took off she called me and we worked out the details. So in the end what was supposed to be around 6 hours of traveling turned into almost 12. I was beat.

It’s the weirdest feeling to be in the 2nd largest airport in the country and totally on your own not knowing when you’ll make it home. You’re surrounded by tons of people yet feel completly isolated. I’m sure this is the way many people live on a daily basis. I’m so thankful for all my friends and family after this. I forget what it’s like to be outside of my bubble.

Finally, here’s a few picture’s from the beautiful Christ’s Church of the Valley campus.

Inside the worship center.