James Emery White is the founding and senior pastor of Mecklenburg Community Church in Charlotte, North Carolina; President of Church and Culture, a ministry which explores the intersection of faith and culture; and ranked adjunctive professor of theology and culture of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, which he also served as their fourth president.
John Burke is the lead pastor of Gateway Church, a congregation dedicated to helping unchurched people become a unified community of growing Christ-followers, no matter their background or past. John is the author of No Perfect People Allowed and Soul Revolution.
John has spoken at several Willow Creek conferences at the South Barrington Campus including The Global Leadership Summit 2008 and the A2 Conference.
Endorsements from the Come As You Are Conference
The two speakers in their different ways were outstanding. It was a great combination of head and heart. Enlightening, provocative, and easily applicable.
Ben Davies, Kerith Community Church, Bracknell
Disturbing, challenging, thought provoking, encouraging are all adjectives which we would use about the ‘Come as you are’ conference that we attended this week at Bracknell. Both Jim White and John Burke stimulated our thinking about ministry in the 21st Century. This was no airy fairy make you feel good conference, but one that provoked and prompted in depth thinking about some of the current cultural issues. There were many opportunities to ask the hard questions and interact with the key speakers. A great use of two days which will be unpacked in the months ahead.
David Edwins, Leader of On Track Ministries
Without doubt one of the most helpful leadership conferences I have attended. Both James and John gave an inspiring presentation of hands on practical insights whilst supported by a robust theological foundation. It’s great to have “practitioners” teach the theory.
Daniel Whitehead, Senior Leader, Fareham Community Church
As ever, Willow UK have come up with a classy event that was both meaty and practical in an atmosphere of excellence. The speakers had an authentic voice born out of study, experience and vulnerability. An impressive amount was packed into two days making the investment worthwhile.
Mike Holmes, Bethlehem Church Life Centre, Bridgend.
The whole conference was a wow! From beginning to end, James White took me to new awareness - particularly to me on culture and church. And John Burke’s talk on “Grace, truth, accountability and discipline within the messiness” – I just feel that we are being equipped to equip others in a way that’s going to be totally radical in our believer’s lives.
Lloyd Gallimore, South Street Baptist Church
James and John spoke from the heart and shared their successes and failures in an honest and helpful way. James’s insight into how we should engage with the future generations has given me new vision for our youth work. John allowed himself to be vulnerable in his account of his own personal battles and I felt God speak to me during the ministry time we had following this last session. I appreciated the great welcome I received from the large Kerith team of people making us feel valued and providing such a great venue.
Joelle Throp, Youth & Children’s Administrator, Jubilee Community Church, Maidenhead
The conference was very appropriate, insightful and practical for any church that wants to see growth and run well. I took some of my leadership team along and we are resolved to apply all the gems we got from the conference in our own local context. Highly recommended for any church large or small.
Gideon Nash, South Street Baptist Church, Greenhithe
“There is no doubt that the ‘come as you are conference’, the teaching of John Burke and Jim White, the book ‘No perfect people allowed’ have rocked my world. It has changed me forever! It is shaping how I think, how I preach and how I relate to people both Christians and those not yet Christian and will change the church I have the privilege to lead too – of that there is no doubt”
“Every session of the the ‘come as you are conference’ had me on the edge of my seat, and engaged each and every time. I have NEVER been to a conference where every single session was so gripping. If I have a complaint it is that it was too short! I could have gone for another two days easy!”
Andy Robinson, Senior Pastor, Kings Church Horsham
It was great to hear from others who know the tension of bringing Grace & Truth together… refreshing, inspiring and challenging.
Will Collins, Stone Baptist Church, Stone
This was my second “Willow Event”, and I was even more impressed this time. Great live speakers and facilitators really brought it to life. This was practical “ragged edge” leadership guidance from people who know just how tough church leadership can be. I wish we could have taken our whole team.
Nigel Bailey, Treasurer, Southampton Methodist Circuit
It was a very good conference. In the first place it confirmed to me and the Senior Minister many things we had spoken about on the Monday as the way forward the church. I was also impressed by the honesty and vulnerability of the speakers which does speak to the real issues that we can face. It was well worthwhile the time taken out to attend.
Brian Richards, St Paul’s Howell Hill, Cheam
A brilliant 2 days where my brain was stretched, my soul fed and my eyes lifted. Insightful, challenging and gut wrenchingly honest – all served up on a platter of humility and a side serving of integrity! I came as I was and left inspired and empowered not to stay that way!! Thank you!!
Steve Miles, The Source, Brackley
I wish I’d been able to attend the first day too! Both speakers spoke with such honesty and realism which was both challenging and thought-provoking. I left feeling elated and encouraged. Thanks to speakers, musicians, organisers and the army of volunteers who combined to produce a brilliant conference.
Terry Pitt, Parish of Burchetts Green
Outstanding 2 days, with minds stretched, hearts warmed and wills challenged. Great material which was so obviously rooted in Scripture, and worked out in experience – very helpful and humbling to be in the same team. We now need to work out the local applications!
Richard Cook, St Andrew’s, Goldsworth Park, Woking
My wife and I came to the ‘Come as you are’ conference as part of a group from our local church, most of us were not even leaders, but we were really blessed in so many ways. The quality of the teaching was exceptional, the worship at Kerith Community Church was uplifting and the Q & A time was thought provoking. We were exceptionally touched by how friendly the welcome team was at Kerith Community Church and were appreciative of the constant tea and biscuits which were of exceptional standard I might add. Thank you for inviting James and John to come and share with us their experiences of how they do church and do hope that we do not have to wait another year before they return again.
Tom and Gina Davies, Jubilee Community Church, Worthing
Thoroughly enjoyed the whole event, even though it was predominately for pastors and leaders. However I found much of the content suitable for anyone on the Christian pathway and was able to bring some gems to our home group on Thursday. Both speakers were excellent and their honesty was refreshing.
As for the venue, it was second to none and the volunteers were so helpful and kind … must be commended.
I feel really blessed and intend to re read my notes to refresh my memory.
Dorothy Pluck, Bollington Christian Life Church, Bollington
We took a team of 16 people to the ‘Come As You Are’ conference in Bracknell and it was a thought-provoking, challenging, inspiring, encouraging and very motivating two days. Both John Burke and James Emery White spoke with authority and authenticity. It was great to hear from two leaders who not only ‘talked the talk’ but have so obviously ‘walked the walk’ as well. The Q&A opportunities after each session were also immensely invaluable and some of the most practical information and real-life advice was given during these times. It made such a difference that John and James were prepared to really share their life experiences with us. Thank you WCA for organising and running such a great conference – we wholeheartedly recommend it to others!
Dave Prytherch, UnitedLife, Sutton
Yet another great conference by WC UK. The venue at Bracknell was excellent, the team of volunteers serving us were superb, the worship band were great and the content from the two speakers was outstanding. James Emery White just blew us away with such inspirational teaching and he really stretched our thinking on Church, life and leadership. I can’t wait to get hold of the MP3′s to listen to them again.
Steve Fenning, The Forge Community Church, Stowmarket
I was really struck by how relevant and timely teaching was – particularly John Burke who covered things that we are facing right now in such a helpful way. A great conference for pastors, grace filled and Christ exalting. Also well organised and with excellent level of service.
Steve Haines, King’s Community Church, Hedge End
Just back from the conference and wanted to drop you a line to say thanks. It was an amazing couple of days and arranged with the usual Willow flare and kindness. Lots of new thinking and very engaging presentation. The venue and the local band were great too. Thanks for all you do.
Duncan Banks, The Forge Church, Stowmarket
I found the conference both helpful and challenging. Although I am the Administrator and so only part of the leadership process, I found it very helpful to know how God is leading our leaders, to understand a little and to know how to pray for them.
Lynne Wyeth, Lyndhurst Baptist Church
- Come As You Are Conference – Description
- Come As You Are Conference – Speakers & Endorsements
- Come As You Are Conference – Workbook
- Come As You Are Conference – Session 1
- Come As You Are Conference – Session 2
- Come As You Are Conference – Session 3
- Come As You Are Conference – Session 4
- Come As You Are Conference – Session 5
- Come As You Are Conference – Session 6
- Come As You Are Conference – Session 7
- Come As You Are Conference – Session 8
