What's New
We’ve been listening to your feedback and we’re doing several new things to make Group Life Conference 2008 more convenient and beneficial for you.
New Dates
We’ve scheduled this year’s conference in October rather than September, allowing you to get past that busy month of ministry launches. Put the dates on your calendar: Thursday, October 16, through Saturday, October 18.
New Time
The conference begins on October 16 at 12:30 pm, allowing many to travel on Thursday morning and save on accommodations. For those who choose to arrive early, we’re offering a few Thursday morning extras, including a Film Festival, Coffees, Topical Forums, and Affinity Gatherings. Thursday morning opportunities will be updated right up to the conference, and some events require registration. Learn more about our Pre-Conference Experiences.
New Faces
Around one-third of our Breakout leaders are brand new to the Group Life Conference. By rotating in so many new trainers, you are assured of hearing fresh ideas from a variety of voices. You’ll still see many familiar faces, though. The bulk of our speakers are favorites from past Group Life conferences.
Longer Breakouts
For some of us, a 75-minute breakout is just not long enough to sink our teeth into a major topic, so we’re providing nine “double” breakouts in eight different categories to provide additional time to go “deep.” These breakouts take place during the “A” and “B” sessions on Friday morning, so we’ve creatively named them “AB” breakouts. You can learn more by viewing the listing of General Breakouts.
More Variety
This year nearly 80% of our speakers come from churches other than Willow Creek or the Willow Creek Association staff. This means you get the best of both worlds. Learn what’s happening “behind the scenes” at Willow and pick up the best ministry practices from the most innovative and influential churches in North America.
More Languages
The main campus in South Barrington, IL, will offer simultaneous translation of all five Main Sessions and four Featured Breakouts in Spanish and Korean. See the Welcome page for more.
More Convenient
Can’t come to Chicago this year? We're partnering with CCN: the Church Communications Network to bring you the Group Life Conference via satellite. Want to attend a broadcast near you? Interested in hosting the broadcast at your church? Click to learn about our first Satellite Broadcast.