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Letter from Bill Hybels
November 6, 2009
Dear Friends,
Greetings from Manila! In a few hours I will be speaking to one of our largest Global Leadership Summit sites. Who would have ever thought that 2,500 pastors and church leaders would gather in this part of the world to sharpen their Kingdom leadership skills? Not me…not enough faith…but it is happening right before my eyes. Very humbling.
Our Summit gatherings in Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore felt anointed by God. My optimism for the cause of Christ in this part of the world continues to escalate. Despite the prevalence of Islam, evangelical pastors are boldly proclaiming the message of Christ and increasing numbers of people are responding and churches are getting stronger. These Summit gatherings feel more like rallies than mere events. I just wish you could all sit in the back row and witness what God is doing!
Next stop is China, and then Korea followed by Japan. I am grateful beyond words for your prayers and for the heroic efforts of the staff of the WCA who organize all of these gatherings.
Thanks again for caring for the world beyond the United States. In the next world we will all get to see what God did through the collective prayers and efforts of our faith community. I think it will take our breath away!
Blessings,
Bill Hybels
Senior Pastor, Willow Creek Community Church
Everyday from now until November 10th we're giving away 4 pairs of Summit 2010 tickets. For a chance to win all you have to do is follow @LeaderSummit and tweet: "I entered to win 2 free tickets at #TLS10 & follow @leadersummit for a chance to win".
Below are words from a guest who attended The Global Leadership Summit in Perth, Australia:
This GLS is held in an idyllic setting in a vineyard region on the outskirts of the city. 'GLS in the Valley' is a term that has been used to promote this experience. Each year, this event provides a powerful experience for the guests, but this year there was even a boost of excitement just before the afternoon break.
I was wondering why the event team was not getting to their stations for the break...unaware that they were trying to coax a 6 1/2 foot King Brown snake out of the prayer room! This was achieved 10 minutes before the end of session 3. We decided NOT to announce this to the delegates.
The day ended with one of the Senior Pastor's from this site leading everyone in a prayer after Tim Keller's session. It was heartfelt and so appropriate. We were invited to stand to worship when we felt ready as the worship team led into "Heart of Worship" …A beautiful end to a fantastic day.
Last week the GLS was held in 22 cities, 10 countries and in 8 different languages. The GLS continues to reach leaders in cities and countries around the world.
Thank you for praying for the 12 GLS sites that have already experienced the Summit in the United Kingdom, Nigeria, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. We had over 6300 attendees combined at these sites!
Below is a quote from a guest at the Durban GLS site:
"This conference is my third one but by far the most impressive! What struck me as so precious was the message, "make a difference". I have been receiving this message in numerous ways over the past month from God, and this weekend, he shouted it to me! I've tasked myself to obey and do what I can, because even one person can make a difference somewhere and somehow!"
As the GLS continues to touch lives and hearts all over the world, we welcome your prayers for the upcoming GLS sites in Australia, Canada, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, South Africa, and the United Kingdom.
Check out the GLS blog at theglobalsummit.blogspot.com and join the conversation.
The first full GLS weekend by all accounts was a huge success. Take a few minutes to read a taste of the life changing work that took place at GLS sites in the UK and New Zealand:
"Just done two days facilitating the Scottish GLS in Edinburgh - really good days with lots of challenging teaching, great worship and lots to think about!!! Inspiring stuff!!" -David Richards, Scotland
"What can I say? FANTASTIC. Thanks to everyone who made the UK Stafford GLS such an awesome couple of days. Now down to His business!" -Liz Hancock, UK
"Whangarei is the place to be GLS has so much to offer. GOD has a powerful message and Bill Thank you that you are a leader and willing to spread your knowledge and share knowledge with others assisting you." -Linda Scott, New Zealand
"Loving the Willow Global Leadership Summit in Stafford" -@shuggill, UK
"Forgiveness… I choose to forgive you… you took my childhood but you will not have the rest of my life!" - @Bevadair, New Zealand
"Amazing and inspiring and replenishing first session from Bill. Really relevant."
-@StPaulsCamb, UK
October 9-10 promises to be equally as exciting as 6,000 guests prepare to experience the GLS in their region. We pray that God will open leader's hearts during the GLS in the following sites:
Australia, Adelaide
Australia, Geelong
New Zealand, Dunedin
New Zealand, Nelson
Nigeria, Lagos (two sites)
South Africa, Durban
South Africa, Port Elizabeth
UK, Bolton
UK, London Battersea
UK, St. Albans
UK, Swansea
For updates check out the GLS blog at theglobalsummit.blogspot.com and join the conversation
The first Global Leadership Summit, which took place in Singapore, has just concluded. It has been a fantastic start to the season. Thank you for lifting the teams up in prayer over these past days. Your investment in the Summit in North America is bringing impact to so many guests and teams around the world.
More than 700 leaders attended from across the entire region. The comments have been overwhelming. Here's what one guest wrote:
"Wow! A life-changing conference- Every presentation was excellent: clear, relevant, articulate, powerful, appealing both to the head and to the heart. One was so gripping that the facilitator responded with an altar call and leaders came to the front for prayer. This was my first videoconference, and I felt it was very nearly as effective as the live GLS I attended in Chicago.
I came away inspired, challenged, humbled and renewed in my desire to lead out of a new passion for God and a deeper love for people. I was enriched with new insights, strategies, techniques, and Biblical perspectives, and brought back quite a stack of books to keep me engaged in continuing education and growth in my leadership. The Conference Notebook is well designed and has helpful outlines for each presentation that assist in taking notes. I took copious notes, and want to revisit these talks in the future."
We are excited that the first GLS 2009 is underway! The GLS team in Singapore has prepared, rehearsed, and is now ready to equip leaders with leadership development. The GLS in Singapore takes place be on Monday-Tuesday, September 21-22, 2009 with more than 700 guests registered for the event. Some of the guests are coming from neighboring countries who want to host a future GLS. Please cover them in prayer as they are feeling the pressure of a shorter lead time to this event.
The Global Leadership Summit 2009 Prayer Promptings
For the GLS Team & Guests:
Host Senior Pastor — that God would use them to build a thriving leadership community out of the GLS that boldly crosses ethnic, denominational, and socioeconomic lines.
Event Manager — for divine assistance and expanded capacity to juggle the countless details that makes up the Summit experience.
Volunteers- serve with a gladness of heart and anticipate our guest needs.
Producers and Technical Coordinators – for protection, foresight and guidance in navigating the complexities of delivering the event. No video problems
Worship Teams- hearts will be prepared and there will be true congregational worship that connects people to God.
Facilitators – for a sense of God's discernment and wisdom to guide meaningful conversations among attendees; building momentum and excitement for the Church in their country.
Resource Coordinators — for God's encouragement and help as they serve as ambassadors, skillfully guiding each attendee to the resources that will best serve their church.
Pastors— to receive a fresh, invigorating infusion of leadership wisdom and inspiration, and the encouragement to persevere.
Volunteer Leaders—to experience God's affirming hand as they are equipped, empowered and reinvigorated to serve Him in the church.
Business Leaders—to enter the experience with receptive and open spirits, to be surprised by God's presence, and awakened and responsive to opportunities to build the church through their role in the marketplace.
We're already imagining, dreaming, creating, and designing the visual look and feel for The Leadership Summit 2010. Our team can't wait to pull the design together, update the website, and share the new look, which will emphasize the growing global audience and reach of the event. The design will be based on original art by an artist who specializes in illustrative concepts. We hope that leaders of all cultures and backgrounds can identify with the new concept. Stay tuned!
In addition to working with designers for the TLS10 concept, we've also begun the work of creating a highlights video. The Summit highlights video continues to be the #1 used promotional video year after year. Look for a final version of the video in the first week of October.
On Friday, October 23 Chip Heath, one of the authors of Made to Stick, will host a one-day leadership intensive forum focused on the critical topic of managing change. This forum is a part of the Blue Sky series, directed to both Christian business leaders and church leaders who are seeking to improve their skills with world-class training.
It has been said the only thing in life that is constant is change. This is especially true in an economic turndown, when change can include a smaller budget and greater need for your ministries All change, at root, requires people to behave differently: co-workers need to think more creatively, members of your church need to reach out more enthusiastically, a shy child needs to become more outgoing, an employee on a production line needs to start looking for ways to save costs. Yet changing behavior is hard, as evidenced by anyone who's ever tried to start an exercise program or influence a teenager. This session will present a framework for changing how people act, even in the toughest circumstances.
At Blue Sky in October, you'll see case studies that include a man who helped solve the malnutrition problem in the poorest of poor Vietnamese villages (without a budget for food), an entrepreneur running a boring technical services business who turned his employees into customer service zealots, a short intervention that reversed the decline in math scores among junior high students at an academically underperforming middle school, and a simple method that dramatically increased food drive donations among a population that had been specially nominated as least likely to donate.
Chip Heath is a Professor of Organizational Behavior in the Graduate School of Business at Stanford University. He is the co-author of the book Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die, which has been a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Business Week bestseller. Chip is also a columnist for Fast Company magazine, and he has spoken and consulted on the topic of "making ideas stick" with organizations such as Nike, the Nature Conservancy, Microsoft, Ideo, and the American Heart Association.
If you change a church leader, you can change a church, and if enough churches start changing, you can change an entire region, country, and eventually the world with the transforming power of Jesus Christ. That's the deeply held belief behind The Leadership Summit 2009, which provided more than 60,000 people across in North America with inspiration and a call to lead with diligence this past August. Now, The Global Leadership Summit (link to: http://theglobalsummit.blogspot.com/) is about to launch in cities across the globe.
This year between September 21 and December 5, the GLS will take place in 57 countries and 159 sites, translated into 28 languages. It's incredible what can happen when leaders come together for the sake of the Church. Each of these 159 locations has gone through a strategic plan, communication process, and leader's gatherings to implement the GLS in a specific region of the world. The experience of the GLS is the product of teams of people working around the clock to create programming, translate languages, identify venues, rally key volunteers, and spread the word to communities.
The team at the WCA is overwhelmed with gratitude for what God has done through The Leadership Summit and it's our hope that we can continue to reach leaders in some of most difficult regions of the world. In his book Axiom Bill Hybels writes, "This is the only leadership life I get, my one and only shot at following God the way I feel Him prompting me to do so. This isn't some pregame warm-up. It's the game, and the clock is ticking!"
Leaders are called to lead, whatever region of the world they are in. The WCA invites you to pray with us for the GLS teams as they prepare to serve God's leaders with inspiration, skill development, and vision.
Bill Hybels Writes Blog Post for US News and World Report
August 19, 2009
Bill Hybels: What Bono Taught Me About Fighting Poverty
Nearly two weeks ago, Bill Hybels stood before 7,000 people—and an additional 60,000 connected via satellite feed—who gathered for the Willow Creek Association's annual two-day conference the Global Leadership Summit to hear from diverse faculty on the subject of how to get better at leading whatever it is that we lead. Part of the assortment this year included Bono, who agreed to a follow-up discussion to our 2006 interview, during which he called out the local church for being inexcusably late to the game of fighting extreme poverty and treatable disease. [Read More]
What Others Are Saying about The Leadership Summit 2009
August 17, 2009
Rhonda Shepard This is a life-changing event! Loved, loved, loved it! (Tacoma, WA)
Glenn A. Brooks The Summit was excellent and I think that it keeps getting better each year. A lot of good information to go over with my pastor and the rest of our leadership team. (Detroit, MI)
David Hanna I am always amazed at how many people are still unaware of the Summit. Is this one of Christianity's best-kept secrets? (Greenville, SC)
Karen Proudlove I am so grateful for the opportunity each year to be a part of "Willow," as we fondly call it. These two days are the highlight of my summer. (Toronto, ON, Canada)
Helen Kim Absolutely phenomenal! I'm telling all my church leaders, members, brother, bosses, coworkers, non-Christian friends in any level of leadership to attend next year!
Debora Durall This was my first Summit. I could never have imagined such an incredible experience, and I am so grateful to my pastor for making it possible to join in. (Portland, OR)
Dean Pappas The Leadership Summit was awesome and humbling. (Pittsburgh, PA).
Vicki A. Small This was my first Summit, Our church is already planning to host it again next year! I would like to order the DVDs, because there's just no way I can remember all the great things I heard, many of which went straight to the heart. (Tuscon, AZ)
John Leonard Challenging and enlightening teaching and discussion that was very helpful in getting a new perspective on leadership.
An incredible, challenging event that I am still processing. My goal is to bring even more leaders from our church to this event next year.
Betty Bittinger This was a wonderful event to share with my co-leaders! Thanks to our boss for making this happen. (York, PA)
Amber Kozera This was my very first Summit and I have to say I have never been so moved and so inspired by such amazing leaders. As a Sunday school teacher and child care worker at my church I feel blessed to serve those who are "Too Small to Ignore" to quote Dr. Wess Stafford. I know that they are not just "our future", but they are a part of our present and I will strive to lift them up to their rightful place and make their voices heard.
I know in my heart that there is much more I could be doing to help the children of this world. I am not sure what that will entail just now, but I know that God is leading me where I need to go.
Claire Estelle Wakulyaka This Summit was so life changing that there is no way you could walk away without an echo of change running through you. My mind is screaming change and the desire is so strong to reach out and make a difference. Thank you Willow Creek... may God take the ideas in our minds and those on paper to create something practical that will transform someone a continent away.
Mike Tracey This was my sixth summit and we almost didn't make it this year. But God had a plan for me this year. The Summit never disappoints! (Flint, MI)
Rebecca Koetting Abma This was my husband's and my first Summit, and it was a life-changing experience for both of us. So many great things, our heads are still spinning. (North Jersey, NJ)
Michael Perrotto Awesome! Awesome! Awesome! Praise God for such an incredible Summit. This will be on my "must-do" list every year from now on! God is good! (Colorado)
Maria Angelica Briones Thank you for an amazing two days! I am replenished and loved hearing and learning from great speaker after speaker. Now is the time to get out of the huddle and play the game. (New Jersey)
Michelle Lenz WOW! I'm processing so much from the Willow Creek Leadership Summit! God used it to encourage, direct, and inspire me—and to confirm so much! (Chicago, IL)
Angie Powell WOW...what a great way to spend two days. I pray that God uses this shake up to impact my life and the lives of those around the world. (Illinois)
Kenno Leier What a great Summit - AGAIN! (Finland)
Annette Beseman I greatly appreciated the ending to this year's Summit...to focus on some "small" things. After this conference, I always feel like I've taken a drink from a fire hose. This parting advice was so helpful for me. (Minneapolis, MN)
Sam George An unbelievable Summit and much needed infusion of leadership energy. Thank you for bringing an exceptional faculty and working hard to put it all together. (Chicago, Illinois)
Brian Thomas Gordon What a great Summit! I am continually inspired by those who live out the call of God on their lives in such amazing and radical ways. I'm especially grateful for the reminders that we can make a difference one life at a time, and God multiplies that more than we can ever imagine. (Louisiana)
Jake Gamble This was my third summit in a row. Once again, I was not disappointed. Thank you for pulling together a wonderful two- day event. (Indiana)
JoMay Csordas This was my first time at the Summit, but I will be there every year from now on. God is working in Las Vegas! YEAH GOD!!!! (Las Vegas, NV)
Abby Vostad Thank you for an amazing two days! Thanks for putting people in front of us who are real and share stories that show leaders around the world what God does and how He uses the most difficult experiences to shape us into who He wants us to be. (South Dakota)
Jennifer Goodson Wow! What an amazing two days. So much to reflect on and build upon. Thank you for the world-class training.
Tamara Hittle Germain I attend the Summit every year and continue to be blessed and inspired by these amazing people of God! What an honor to stand shoulder to shoulder with these incredibly gifted brothers and sisters! (Indiana)
Monty King This was my first Leadership Summit and it was exactly the kind of kick in the paradigm shift I needed. Looking forward to next year! (Colorado)
Dave Cameron We serve a mighty God! What an awesome two days! Thank you Willow Creek and we look forward to next year! (California)
Norma Moser My first Summit...powerful and challenging! I will be back next year! (North Carolina)
Lillie VanLerberg Wow! What an experience. Can't wait for next year!
Denise DiMarzo Thank you for stretching our minds and challenging us once again.
Tami Rayburn Saunders It's amazing what can happen when God's Spirit moves and people come together to help each other and truly love one another. I learned a lot. (Illinois)
Rick Anderson Best leadership forum in the world! They just keep getting better.
Scott Houchin Always a surprise at the Summit. Thought this morning was going to be just a nice listen, but then God hit us collectively upside the head with a 2x4. As someone who wears both church and business leader hats to the summit, I pray that at least one business leader attending the Summit as a skeptic came out of this morning as a Christian.
Linda Schmidt This is such a great conference! Every year I go I am not disappointed. God is growing His people!
Stephen T Oliver The Leadership Summit is something all leaders in the Church and in the Marketplace should be a part of. (San Antonio, TX)
Eduardo Chavez This was just awesome. Thanking God for this Summit! (Chicago, IL)
Jeffrey Zelaya Super cool! Glad to be sharing this Summit with people all across the globe.
Pam Pike Excited to see how God is going to use me after attending this year. Open heart –willing hands and feet!
Suzette Valentine The talks speak straight to a leader's heart and mind. So glad that I carved out the 2 days for the Leadership Summit.
Those who experienced the Summit this year know the powerful message a video can convey. Each year the Summit team works to deliver high-level leadership principals as well as moving videos and programming elements. We continue to partner with other ministries and churches to bring the best elements to guests. A special thank you to each ministry that was a part of the Better Way video in Session 4 of this year's Summit. Learn more about the ministries that were in the Better Way video by clicking on the links below:
Over the last two days, The Leadership Summit has stretched our vision and helped us grow. WCA Member Churches have free access to download select Summit message MP3s for a limited time.
Messages include:
Leading in a New Reality, Bill Hybels
A Leadership Case Study: Jessica Jackley and the KIVA Story, Jessica Jackley (interview by Jim Mellado)
Against All Odds, Harvey Carey
Leveraging Your Past, Wess Stafford
We hope that the messages serve you and your leadership team as you continue the conversations started at the Summit!
If you're already a WCA member, login to access your free downloads. If you're not a member church and would like information on being a WCA Member, please click here to learn more about other membership benefits including archives of previous Defining Moments, Downloadable Messages and Training, Member Church Webinars, and additional discounts.
The Leadership Summit isn't about what happens during a two-day period. It is a leadership story, one that strives to bring people to God and ask them "What are you going to live for? What will you lay it down for?" Bill Hybels said in the final session that "we are a like-minded people and we are serving His Church for His power and His glory!"
As you continue to contemplate your leadership and calling, and stretch according to God's work in your heart and mind, our prayer for you is one of blessing, gratitude, and challenge. You are the Church. You have the gospel, and the Spirit to lead you towards the many places in the world that desperately need it. Whether you're in a church building, board room, lecture hall, soccer field, or elsewhere, your life and leadership matter.
Hopefully you've seen God move in your own life, and witnessed Him moving around you. Now it's your turn to respond. We're looking forward to what's next!
National Media Coverage for the Leadership Summit 2009
August 7, 2009
When 120,000 leaders gather around the nation, it's bound to make a ripple in the media. The Leadership Summit has sustained a spot in the top ten trending topics in the Twittersphere since it began. In addition to this, traditional media outlets are hearing about the amazing things God is doing at The Summit. We're pretty excited about the coverage leadership is getting—from the Chicago Tribune and WGN to CBS Radio.
This just confirms what we believe at our very core—our world is in desperate need for leaders who will make a difference in the world—but more importantly, in THEIR world. The message of "leading where you are" is as timely as ever and we're blessed to be a converging point for the conversation!
Without a doubt, any opposition to God's movement during the Leadership Summit Day 2 morning session(s) was completely destroyed. We were challenged to embrace the Third Culture and to rethink our vision of Africa. Our hearts were broken and renewed with Wes Stafford. Men and women all over North America were (and are) able to respond to God's leading and call.
On the web, Summit attenders have been sharing their experiences through Twitter and Facebook: comments, quotes, thoughts, pictures, and links are uniting people online and adding a valuable new element to the Summit experience.
David Gergen, Chip & Dan Heath, Bono, Tony Blair, and Bill Hybels will round out the remainder of Day 2. More to come!
It's pretty early right now at the Willow Creek South Barrington Campus, but despite the time, there are already many wide eyes at the Summit. We know we're joined by thousands of Summit attenders and volunteers all over North America who are preparing, praying, and waiting for what's in store: we're so grateful to all be in this together! Yesterday's Day 1 program was a powerful one, and we're looking forward, like many of you, to seeing what God has in store for leaders today. We'll hear from Dave Gibbons, Andrew Rugasira, Wess Stafford, David Gergen, Chip & Dan Heath, Bono, Tony Blair, and Bill Hybels.
We're also excited to get back viral networking on Twitter (@leadersummit, #tls09) and Facebook and hoping that today's web interaction will stretch even further!
It's astounding how many leaders have come together via the Summit this year. An impact that will shake the world is on our hearts and minds. The Leadership Summit couldn't be what it is without you!
On what much of the world woke to as a normal Thursday, tens of thousands of leaders across North America have marked as a day of great change and leadership movement. After so much excellent material and inspiration from Bill Hybels, Gary Hamel, Carly Fiorina, Henry Cloud, Patrick Lencioni, David Ireland, Tim Keller, Jessica Jackley, and Harvey Carey, God is continuing a work in the hearts of leaders that will undoubtedly echo across the world.
Did God challenge you today? Did he open your eyes, your heart, and your mind? Are you going to leave this Summit changed and transformed? The Summit is a global movement, and you are a part of it! What will your next steps be? Where will they take you?
Tomorrow's sessions will continue to build and expand the vision for leadership. We're looking forward to seeing God move!
By now many of you have heard of Twitter, and know that this morning marked what will probably be considered one of their worst online crashes so far. Early on, the terms "Leadership Summit," "#TLS09," and "Bill Hybels" led the top trending topics in the entire Twitter universe. Summit attenders with Twitter accounts were connecting across thousands of miles and sharing their hearts and minds regarding the Summit. It's funny to think that at the same moment the Summit was exploding online, Twitter's service was undergoing an online attack.
Despite the many possible technical difficulties that crop up during events like this, one thing remains true: more than cables and wireless signals connect God's people with one another. The Spirit is at work in the lives of men and women everywhere, and we get to share in that great bond as leaders because the Summit isn't about a single event in one place and time: it's about the global Church!
The Leadership Summit is in full swing having covered topics such as leading in the midst of a downturn (Bill Hybels), the delicate subject of hiring/firing and board dynamics (Lencioni, Cloud, Fiorina, Ireland, Hybels) and the death of management as we know it (Gary Hamel). The challenges came at a dizzying pace but were somehow tangible and magnetic, inspring all of us to lead the way God intends us to. Check out The Leadership Summit on Facebook at www.facebook.com/leadershipsummit and on Twitter @leadersummit.
It's hard to believe that The Leadership Summit 2009 is finally here. Willow's South Barrington campus is filled with leaders and joined by thousands of others all across North America. In the coming months, thousands more will share in the Summit from cities all across the world. The energy and presence of God is undeniable. All you have to do is look around.
Bill Hybels began the Summit event narrative this morning in the first session with a picture of "rogue waves" – a look at leadership in a "new reality." An early Summit anthem: "There is nothing like the local church when the church is working right." There was a resounding "Amen!" and applause in response to that statement. Undoubtedly leaders in churches, organizations, and businesses all over the world are facing challenges that threaten to defeat, deplete, and discourage. We won't be experiencing the "old normal" anytime soon.
Thankfully, it's clear that thousands of leaders are committed to growing and stretching toward God's bigger, better plan!
Within an hour of starting, leaders all over North America combined to make The Leadership Summit the top trending topic on social media website Twitter. The #TLS09 topic hashtag has connected Summit attendees like never before, allowing an ongoing dialogue to take place.
Alongside this online movement, Twitter has been experiencing service failure due to an "ongoing denial-of-service attack," which, according to Twitter's official blog, are "malicious efforts orchestrated to disrupt and make unavailable services such as online banks, credit card payment gateways, and in this case, Twitter for intended customers or users."
If you're a Twitter user, we are so excited that you're sharing your thoughts with us and broadening the Summit's reach. Though it may seem like a small thing, we'd ask you to join with us in praying that Twitter service can rebound from these attacks and get back to connecting us with one another online!
Leading in a Crisis: 7 Lessons from LS08 Speaker, Bill George
July 21, 2009
At the 2008 Leadership Summit, Harvard Business School Professor and former Medtronic CEO Bill George spoke with great passion about leaders who follow their True North by drawing on their deepest beliefs, values, and principles and follow a calling to make a difference in the world.
Says George, "The Leadership Summit 2009 is filled with amazing leaders from whom I have learned a great deal that has helped me develop my leadership. The Summit provides a unique opportunity to hear the trials and tribulations they have faced, and how they turned crisis into opportunity. There is no better event to inspire your leadership and enable you to use your gifts to make the world a better place."
In the article below George shares his latest work about leading in crisis, drawn from his forthcoming book, 7 Lessons for Leading in Crisis. In his endorsement of George's book, Leadership Summit 2009 speaker, David Gergen, says, "Long recognized as one of the best CEOs of the 20th century, Bill George has quickly become one of the foremost authorities on leadership—a wise, no-nonsense author with a large, growing following. This latest book is an excellent practical account of why so many corporate leaders failed and yet others turned crisis into opportunity—and how you can apply those lessons to your own leadership."
There is nothing quite like a crisis to test your leadership. It will stretch you to your limits, determine whether you will be true to your beliefs, and make or break you as a leader. Crises have brought down many leaders and their organizations, while other leaders have risen to the challenges to prove their mettle. What makes leading your organization through difficult situations so hard? Below Bill George shares from his personal experiences in dealing with crises and studying hundreds of leaders operating crisis situations:
Lesson 1: Face reality, starting with yourself. Facing the reality that you are in a crisis is the most important lesson of all. Until you acknowledge that you are facing a serious problem, including your role in creating it, you cannot move forward to solve it.
Lesson 2: Don't be Atlas; get the world off your shoulders. You cannot get through this alone, so don't try to carry the whole world on your shoulders. Reach out to others inside your organization and in your personal life to share the burden and help you come out a winner. In a crisis you need to be introspective and prayerful to develop the resilience to cope with the most difficult challenges.
Lesson 3: Dig deep for the root cause. Under the pressures of a crisis, there is temptation to jump to quick-fix solutions that may mask the real problems and leave your organization vulnerable to repeating the crisis. The only way to solve these problems is to understand their root cause and implement permanent solutions.
Lesson 4: Get ready for the long haul. When you are confronting significant problems, your first reaction may be that things can't really be that bad. But you may be looking only at the tip of the iceberg, and things may get a lot worse. To survive the crisis, you need to prepare for a long struggle to defend against the worst conditions so you will be prepared to pass through the eye of the storm.
Lesson 5: Never waste a good crisis. The challenges you are facing represent your best opportunity to reinvent your leadership and move forward with major changes in your organization. You should be aggressive in taking actions necessary to strengthen your team and to build team unity as you emerge from the crisis.
Lesson 6: You're in the spotlight: follow True North. In a crisis, everyone watches what you do. Whether you like it or not, you are in the spotlight both inside and outside the company. Will you stay focused on your True North, or will you succumb to the pressure and compromise your values and principles?
Lesson 7: Go on offense; focus on winning now. Coming out of a crisis, the market never looks the same as it did going in. So don't just batten down the hatches and wait for things to return to normal. This is your opportunity to reshape your organization and business to play to your strengths.
Conclusion: Crisis may be your defining moment. This crisis may represent the defining moment for your leadership, as it was for mine. Use the crisis to define your leadership and help you discern how you can use your gifts to make this world a better place for everyone.
*Excerpted with permission from 7 Lessons for Leading in Crisis by Bill George (available September 2, 2009).
A group of pastors in Vail, CO are working to bring more than 300 leaders together to experience The Leadership Summit in their region this year. Rather than simulcast the Summit in a church, it will be held at a local Christian High School to provide a neutral location for multiple denominations to develop their gift of leadership. Leading the way in the effort is The Pastor's Network, which is strategically using the Summit to build on their 8-month effort to unify the pastors of their region. The Summit is not about Willow Creek or a host church, it's an extraordinary event for the community. Transformation continues to happen in stories like The Pastor's Network in Vail who are bridging divides within their own sphere of influence.
Leadership Summit speaker, Gary Hamel was ranked as the #1 Business Thinker of 2008 by The Wall Street Journal and called "the world's leading expert on business strategy" by Fortune. An author, speaker, professor, and innovative management consultant, he is most widely known for originating concepts such as "strategic intent" and "core competencies." At the Summit Hamel will address the paradigm shift needed to fully engage the potential of people and explain how tomorrow's most successful entities will be organized.
Yesterday evening I gave a talk at a Leaders Gathering in Matteson, IL, in front of over 40 African American Senior Pastors. The evening was amazing in more ways than one. The leaders were inspired and walked away committing themselves to attend the Summit in August. One leader after another approached me with grateful hearts and words by saying they are so thankful that we didn't forget about their churches and ministries.
With the ever-increasing African American and Latino population in the New South--this event should reap huge kingdom benefits in this year and in the future.
Reaching Across the Divides Together,
Rev. Alvin C. Bibbs, Sr.
Church Relations Field Team
Sr. Pastor James Shupp writes to leaders who came together for a Leaders Gathering in San Antonio, TX:
"Years ago I came across a verse in Romans 12:8 where Paul talks about the spiritual gift of leadership. He says that if your gift is leadership, you should "govern diligently." Those of us who have been called to lead have been given a very high calling. Unfortunately, many Christians imagine that the spiritual gift of leadership is limited to professional clergy and paid staff. This was never the understanding of Jesus or the Apostle Paul.
"I am convinced that there are many undiscovered and under-utilized members of our church who have been blessed by God and called to lead. The desire to use this gift is an undeniable urge that surfaces whenever you know that things could be done better, more efficiently, and in a more God-honoring way.
"As a leader, you must take responsibility to develop the leadership gift that God has given you. Over the years I have enjoyed attending The Leadership Summit. It fills my tanks. It challenges my mind with creative ideas. It inspires me to jump back into the battle whenever I grow weary or disillusioned by the daily grind of leadership. I will personally cross heaven and earth to help you attend, if God has given you the gift to lead. This one, really, really matters to the Kingdom. "
President of Willow Creek Association Jim Mellado recently embarked on a trip to San Pedro Sula, Honduras and wrote a letter about his experience:
"I have been in Honduras listening and capturing life-transforming stories for the last couple days for a video shoot related to the Global Leadership Summit. The kids impacted by the leadership program inspired by the Summit is giving hope and dreams to young leaders who live in the worst neighborhood in San Pedro Sula.
"Just a few days ago there was a gang related execution just down the street from the school. Killings are a normal part of their life. When I met with the student group, they all told me that their dream is that they would be able to change the reputation of their neighborhood for the good. They are embarrassed by what their neighborhood means to people.
"Voluntarily, all the seniors attend a five-hour leadership development forum once a month based and inspired by the GLS content. They wake up before five in the morning to make the one and a half hour bus ride to get to the central location for the forum and join more than 1,000 seniors from other schools. They get back home at 2:00, only to go to school to make up for the content they missed during the day. They finish around six in the evening...unbelievable...and they get 100% participation of everyone who qualifies for the program. They participate in this program for their entire senior year and culminate with their own version of a leadership summit that is taught by the best students for students. They run it themselves completely. Inspiring! God is doing an amazing work!"
In 1994 I listened to a message by Bill Hybels entitled: The Legacy of a Leader, in which Bill challenged the congregation to focus on what is important in life from an eternal perspective. In this message he also asked: when is enough…enough and when does saving become hording? It was as if God was speaking only to me.
I had achieved a measure of success leading as Vice President of a large U.S. corporation. The Monday following this service I was negotiating a separation agreement with my employer and searching for a position in ministry. I started at the Willow Creek Association (WCA) in International ministry 16 months later. It was apparent that God had prepared me my whole life for this position through my International career in the marketplace.
I write this note from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia where I recently met with influential church leaders to plan The Leadership Summit. The same hunger I saw for high quality, relevant and God honoring training is present wherever I go. Now at age 66 I cannot thank God enough for leading me to this ministry and using me within a wonderful team of highly dedicated people to expand His Kingdom.
In His Service,
Gary Schwammlein Executive Vice President, International Ministries
WILLOW CREEK COMMUNITY CHURCH LAUNCHES 'SUMMIT SUNDAY'
June 9, 2009
On June 6 and 7 Willow Creek Community Church invited 2008 Summit speaker, Catherine Rohr to speak during the weekend services. In her interview with President of the Willow Creek Association, Jim Mellado, Catherine elaborated on her message from last year's Summit and shared what happened when she listened to God's call and founded the Prison Entrepreneurship Program. Click here to view the full interview.
Following the interview Bill Hybels challenged the congregation to set aside two days for the sake of leadership development and attend The Leadership Summit on August 6-7, 2009.
As a result of this initiative, over 1300 people from Willow registered to attend The Leadership Summit within 48 hours.
Download free resources and videos to envision your entire congregation to "lead where you are".
At recent gatherings with Bill Hybels and the Summit Host Site pastors a breakthrough idea was shared that we believe can raise the value of leadership development within your congregation. Also, we're convinced it will help more of your people understand the value of attending The Leadership Summit 2009 on August 6-7. The concept is hosting a "Summit Sunday"—i.e. leveraging your weekend church service to show a past Summit talk, complemented with appropriate programming elements and personal testimonies from your key church leadership.
We've made the process as easy as possible for your church team to implement. You can download everything you need to implement a "Summit Sunday" without charge—i.e. vision and direction, six edited past Summit video messages, worship/programming elements and facilitation recommendations.
Call our Customer Relations Center at 800-570-9812 with the date you will host a "Summit Sunday" to receive a priority code for every member of your congregation for a $10 discount on standard pricing for new registrations.
A letter from Nancy Beach, Executive Vice President for the Arts at Willow Creek Association
Friends,
Tonight I'm at a hotel in Toronto, sandwiched between two "Gifted to Lead" events. Yesterday, Nancy Ortberg and I co-led the event in Livermore, California, with about 340 women. We were graciously hosted by the Cornerstone Fellowship Church. Every time we open up this subject matter — focused on the challenges and potential for women to lead in the church — we realize how needful it is for women to be able to talk about their stories and learn from one another. I was marked once again by the incredible gifts of the women I had a chance to talk with personally - their passion for the church and their desire to make an impact for the kingdom. I was inspired to keep on persevering for the cause of Christ.
It fascinates me how many of the questions and comments are similar in each event we facilitate. Obviously there are some common themes for women in ministry! I truly hope women left feeling understood and not so alone in their journeys.
Tomorrow I will lead the workshop alone here in Toronto, with another group of 350 this time. It's a lot more fun with my partner Nancy O., but I will do my best to serve these women. I am humbled and grateful for the opportunity.
Nancy Beach
Executive Vice President for the Arts
Willow Creek Association
A Letter from Gary Schwammlein, Executive Vice President of International Ministry
Greetings,
I arrived in Nurnberg yesterday to attend the Student and Children's leadership conference. As of yesterday we had 5700 registrations for these events, and 6000 for the Delirious? concert. It became clear very quickly that setting up and running two major conferences consecutively is far more challenging than we all thought. The teams that have been here since Tuesday certainly have tell tale signs of the stress of the last few days. And yet, last evening as the volunteers were briefed on their roles and the importance of what they are doing was restated, the atmosphere in the room was full of excitement and anticipation of what God will be doing during the next two and a half days.
I spoke with volunteers on the technical teams and what we used to call the Vision Team who have come to serve at events in Germany 7 times, 4 times, 3 times, and to hear their stories on how these visits have impacted their lives is nothing short of amazing. Every one of them said that they are receiving much more than they give.
We have about 60 volunteers here from the US and Canada who serve on the technical team, the worship team, and wherever they are most needed. They are supported by about 160 volunteers from Germany, Austria and Switzerland. When Event Manage, Stefan Bieber, shared with them the words of Pastor S.M. Lockridge in German, and emphasized to the team that it is Jesus who is to be honored and glorified at this event, his words were greeted with great applause and affirmation. I pray that God will be honored at this event and that people will be encouraged, and be drawn closer to him.
Talking to some attendees this morning confirmed to me how important it is that they focus on God, and not on their circumstances. They are coming here to receive encouragement, hope, and perhaps some new skills, but for most it is hope and encouragement. Please pray with us that they will receive it in abundance.
It's now about 30 minutes until the conferences opens and people are beginning to stream into the facility. Time to go and see how things develop.
More in a few days.
Blessings,
Gary
Executive Vice President
WCA International Ministry
As former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Rt Hon Tony Blair has extensive leadership experience and is considered one of Britain's most internationally recognized statesmen.
Dear Friends,
As you know, each year The Leadership Summit team commits to bring you a faculty of expert leaders and thinkers that will stretch your thinking and deliver practical skills.
2009 is no exception.
Earlier this year we announced 16 members of our faculty, which include entrepreneurs, pastors, professors, best-selling authors and even a rock star.
But God had bigger plans.
Through God's grace and our collective prayers, Tony Blair has graciously agreed to be on the faculty of The Leadership Summit 2009 through a pre-recorded videocast.
As former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Rt Hon Tony Blair has extensive leadership experience and is considered one of Britain's most internationally recognized statesmen. This man has been through the crucible of leadership and I think there's so much we can learn from him.
Looking forward to experiencing the Summit together,
Jim Mellado
President, Willow Creek Association
Driven by the desire to see his homeland changed, Fady Eldeiry has taken sacrificial risks to take the Global Leadership Summit to Egypt.
Fady Eldeiry grew up the son of a pastor who led an evangelical church in Alexandria, Egypt. He now lives in the U.S. and first attended The Leadership Summit in 2001. At the end of the Summit, he was transformed. When he heard and grasped the idea that the local church is the hope of the world, he knew that his life would never be the same.
For the past seven years, Fady has worked relentlessly to bring the GLS to Egypt so that others would hear the transforming message of the local church. Finally, in 2008, Fady saw his dream turned into reality as the first Egyptian GLS was held outside the city of Cairo. More than 450 Egyptian leaders, including 120 pastors, attended The Global Summit along with Christians from 20 other Arab countries including Libya, Sudan, Syria, Jordon, Morocco, and Palestine. Many who attended are leaders of underground churches.
Fady's vision continues to be about bringing the best leadership principles available to support Christian leaders serving the Arab World. After the GLS concluded, its impact expanded as it was broadcast via satellite to a television audience reaching 10 to 12 million Arabs. Bill Hybels' book, Courageous Leadership has been translated into Arabic and a professor at the seminary in Cairo is even using the book and content from the GLS to continue developing country leaders.
To find out how you can get involved supporting leaders like Fady in their efforts to take leadership development to every leader in this world, go to WillowCreekGlobalSummit.com or call 800-570-9812.
The Impact of The Global Leadership Summit Continues
April 9, 2009
A Letter from Gary Schwammlein, Executive Vice President of International Ministry.
Dear Friends,
This morning I visited a Chinese Three Self church here in Beijing and met with the senior pastor who had just finished a worship service in preparation for Good Friday and Easter. The church was founded at the turn of the last century and as you can imagine, has experienced turbulent times. Suffering in a big way is part of that history.
Although I knew Easter was coming, it was really not much on my mind. Until this morning I had seen no sign of it anywhere here in Asia/China, and with the hectic schedule I have, it was perhaps not surprising it slipped out of my consciousness. However, this morning changed that and as I am reflecting on the suffering of Christ for us, I was reminded that there are still lots of people today who are suffering for their faith in Christ in ways we cannot imagine. It reminded me of Paul, who wanted to know Christ at a new level, and even experience "the fellowship of his suffering." I wondered if that really is something I would ask for. Would I even be willing to go through with it if I had to choose between suffering or denying Christ?
All this pondering reminded me also of magazine and newspaper reports published very recently in Germany by heavyweight theologians who question more and more that Christ really died on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins. (Quote" Immer mehr protestantische Theologen äußern öffentlich ihre Zweifel darüber, dass der Tod Jesu am Kreuz als Sühneopfer zur Vergebung unserer Sünden zu verstehen sei" Die Welt, 4/8/09.)
There is no question that Christians I met in Nanjing, in Shanghai, or here in Beijing have no such doubts, and want to build churches where Christ's death and his resurrection are proclaimed on a regular basis, and who dream of reaching the masses with this message. They were full of praise for the support we provide, not the least via the GLS. It pained me to caution them that we may not be able to offer them the GLS this year because of financial constraints. As if to encourage me and us to proceed with it anyhow, one person here gave me a check in support of the GLS. His family has been blessed greatly by the GLS and they want others to experience this transforming event as well. What an encouragement. Thank you Lord!
Before traveling to Asia we had a meeting with all affiliate country leaders and regional partners in Germany to discuss our plans for this year and it was exciting to hear how they plan to grow GLS attendance in spite of the very difficult economic conditions that exist all over the world. I still have visits to 5 countries in Asia ahead of me and I am sure I will experience the same attitude in all of them.
I look forward to experiencing Good Friday in Hong Kong and then celebrating Easter at our GLS partner church in Singapore. It's good to remember what Bill recently said in one of his e-news that, "resurrection power and hope are still available for normal people who humble themselves before God and ask Him for help."
Hallelujah!
In His Service,
Gary Schwammlein Executive Vice President WCA International Ministry
1 min. videos from The Leadership Summit 2008 are now on YouTube
View one of the many videos available to give you a taste of The Leadership Summit and encourage others to register for the 2009 event. Visit The Leadership Summit's YouTube page
36 Hours, 12 Meetings, 6 Days of Connections with Sr. Pastors
April 6, 2009
Wesley King, Church Relations Field Team, shares insight from meetings with Bill Hybels
When it comes to The Leadership Summit, relationships matter. I recently experienced this as I participated in many of the mentoring sessions Bill Hybels and Willow Creek Association recently hosted for the United States Summit Host Site Senior Pastors.
Over the course of six days, pastors from around the country flew in to Chicago O'Hare for one of 12 meetings with Bill Hybels and senior leadership of Willow Creek Association. The meetings were a powerful reminder that we all are a part of a global movement that is about the transforming power of Jesus Christ impacting local church leaders around the world to advance the Kingdom of God.
A portion of the meetings was dedicated to giving and receiving feedback on the 2009 plans and February 24th webcast launch (click here to view). Willow Creek Association relies heavily on feedback from host sites and guests as we plan for upcoming Summits and related initiatives. Time was set-aside for the Senior Pastors and Bill Hybels to discuss current church issues such as economic realities, ministry life balance, and staffing appropriately for the downturn. The conversations were relevant and the small group atmosphere allowed all to participate.
The refrain from our Host Site Pastors was a deep appreciation for the investment of time, and the opportunity to ask questions of Bill Hybels. Each person left challenged to raise the level of their leadership in these tough economic times. Together, we believe that the Church is the hope of the world and no individual or church need walk through this season alone.
The Leadership Summit makes its debut on Facebook.
Fans are multiplying. According to a recent issue of FORTUNE (March, 2009) Facebook is growing at an astounding rate and the average Facebook user spends 169 min per month on the site. The Leadership Summit's fan page on Facebook has also taken flight with more fans joining everyday. The stories that are shared come from leaders across the nation and are powerful reminders that in this time of great need, there is even greater opportunity.
The fan page is more than just a tool; our hope is to reach further into the world to provide training and resources to assist local leaders as they work in their spheres of influence.
Jack Groppel, former Leadership Summit speaker and internationally recognized authority and pioneer in human performance, kicked off our Blue Sky 2009 season with a powerful event for guests who experienced how important managing energy is for success.
Now, more than ever, leadership development is important at all levels. Through events such as The Leadership Summit and Blue Sky, Willow Creek Association invests proceeds to help fund the cause of leadership development around the world. Details on Blue Sky. (link to: willowcreek.com/BlueSky)
"I loved that this day wasn't just a 'self help, pump you up' day but it had actual action steps. An incredible and worthwhile investment of time and money"
- Blue Sky Guest
"I appreciated the personal interaction with Jack"
- Blue Sky Guest
"Jack Groppel was inspiring and practical. I'm excited about getting more energy and time to become a more fully engaged leader!"
- Blue Sky Guest
This week The Leadership Summit team had a conference call with Gary Hamel, visiting professor at the London Business School and director of Management Lab.
Gary challenged the team by asking, are you changing as quickly as your environment? Most organizations—and churches—sadly have to say "no" to this question. Gary stated that the main reason we are not able to change as quickly as we'd like is because of our antiquated management style and structure.
Although many of today's top organizations acknowledge that their products and services need updated, they often assume that the strategies and business models will last forever. Gary writes in his book, The Future of Management (2007), the challenge to organizations is, "to make deep change more of an autonomic process- to build organizations that are capable of continuous self-renewal in the absence of a crisis".
The Leadership Summit is firmly dedicated to keep your leadership edge sharp.
In the face of cultural upheaval, economic crisis, and persistent human need, our world calls out for leaders who do not back down, withdraw or compromise. You have been charged with a higher calling. On August 6-7, 2009, you're invited to be one of the thousands of global leaders who are choosing to take responsibility for their leadership development.
Our 2009 faculty of expert leaders and thinkers have been selected to deliver practical skills, stretch your thinking, and challenge you to reach the full measure of your potential as a leader.
On February 24 Bill Hybels and Jim Mellado share their vision.
On February 24 Bill Hybels, senior pastor of Willow Creek Community Church, and Jim Mellado, president of Willow Creek Association, will introduce the Summit speakers and share their vision for The Leadership Summit 2009.
Host churches across North America will gather via webcast to be inspired by the vision for this unifying event that will take place on August 6-7, 2009. It's a reminder for churches all over that there is multiplied power in shared experiences, conversations, and discoveries. As pastors and leaders connect locally with influencers, they will continue to advance the cause of leadership development for the sake of the Church and community.
The Leadership Summit is a growing global movement of leaders across racial, cultural, and denominational divides. It's our hope that you will take some time and explore the videos and downloads on this website to envision leaders within your sphere of influence and lead where you are.
Responding to Economic Crisis by Helping Conference Guests Cut Costs
February 17, 2009
WCA has partnered with a select group of area hotels to negotiate lower rates.
In response to the ongoing economic crisis, the Willow Creek Association (WCA), which trains over 100,000 church leaders annually, has partnered with a select group of area hotels to negotiate lower rates and arrange for free shuttles to and from its South Barrington campus and area eateries, virtually eliminating the costs of renting a car and adding great convenience to teams attending its events together.
"We understand the pressure people are feeling to stretch their training budget dollars," says WCA president Jimmy Mellado. "This is one way we can continue to help churches uphold the value of training and staff development while depressurizing the load on their budget."
Among the ways the WCA conference guests can save money:
Local hotel rates for as low as $52 per night
5% off the lowest fare when traveling with United Airlines
Daily complementary shuttles between area hotels and the South Barrington, IL campus before and after each event
Complementary shuttles to and from the South Barrington Willow Creek campus and local hotels to area restaurants during lunch and dinner
"This is an all-hands-on-deck effort to continue making world-class training affordable and available to anyone," continues Mellado. "This will enable many attendees avoid rental vehicle expenses. All that is needed is transportation to and from the airport."
"For the first time ever, there are free shuttles between all Hoffman Estates hotels and restaurants, and the South Barrington, Illinois Willow Creek campus," says WCA Conference and Operations vp, Steve Bell. "This helps our customers save money and makes getting around hassle-free."
For more information, contact the WCA Church Relations Center at 800-570-9812.
The Willow Creek Association is a not-for-profit ministry, with more than 11,000 Member Churches from 90 denominations and 45 countries. These churches, and others we serve, represent a wide variety of sizes, denominations, and backgrounds from every corner of the world. Our goal is to seek out and share God-given ministry breakthroughs with widespread potential from churches around the world, supporting a rapid diffusion of innovation through local churches everywhere.
Recently in a staff meeting we discussed the realities of the economic challenges...
My brothers and sisters in Christ, Recently in a staff meeting we discussed the realities of the economic challenges and struggles we all face these days. I believe God was present in our conversation so I share the following thoughts as an encouragement to you.
First, the Church Relations Team believes that more than ever we need to be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit. We seek His wisdom as we prepare and plan for so many interactions with each of you. We do feel your pain as you face many major decisions with your ministries, businesses and families.
Please know we are doing everything in our power to deliver a "first class" event for your team this August. We believe God will deliver because He did not bring us this far to allow us to stumble and fall on our faces! The Devil is a lie and he will not win this battle of allowing every single church that comes into contact with us through the Summit to reach their full redemptive potential … somebody say AMEN!!
Therefore, we must press on with the full armor of God wrapped around each and every one of us! Stand firm and ready to do the will of the Lord in every region, everywhere! Consequently, No host site, No leader, No team, No participating Assisting Church member should ever feel as if they're climbing this Kingdom hill all by themselves. We are the Church of Jesus Christ - Soldiers in the Army of the Lord and together we have built one of the worlds largest Christian coalitions this side of heaven...so if you're ready and we believe that you are...let's press on with the task of uniting Christians around the world through a 'First-Class' event called The Leadership Summit.
Download the entire book, Just Courage by Gary Haugen for free. Use code: IJM2009 
