Reflections on Tulsa 2011 Edition

Tulsa came. Tulsa was. Tulsa is now history. My Tulsa journey began, I suppose, shortly after the Pepperdine Lectures of 2010 when I received an invitation from Terry Rush to speak on the subject of the Holy Spirit Unchained. My three classes were filled to the brim with folks lining the walls, sitting on the floor and spilling into the hall. I was overwhelmed.

I headed out on Tuesday from Tucson, drove through the night and arrived in Tulsa about 6 am on Wednesday. The folks at the Hyatt were unbelievably courteous and let me check in to my room (that wasnt even in my name!). My roommate was a gentleman from South Carolina, whom I'd never met, named Bryan Todd. That night we took in worship led by Kip Long and Randy Harris while enjoying the company of fellow John Dobbs from Monroe, LA.

I took in classes with Randy Harris, Al Maxey (whom I'd never met or heard before), Don mcLaughlin, Rick Atchley and Trey Morgan. I listened to Acappella, Psallo from York and Revival. All the sessions I attended were well done, thought provoking and encouraging. I appreciated Harris's critique of the notion of "cool" and Christianity. Refreshing and unexpected. Unfortunately my class was scheduled at the same time as Tim Archer and Amanda Sanders.

Probably the most enjoyable part of any workshop/lecture to me is meeting new people and hanging with old friends. I got to hang with my old friend Wade Tannehill and his family. We ate at Panda Express with Ron Davis. Rick Atchley bought me a free coke at Taco Cabana after his morning session. Had coffee with Stan Helton. I had the pleasure of picking Edward Fudge's brain on a multiplicity of subjects late one evening in the hotel lobby. I had late night fellowship with Barry Bullinger and his father from Alabama. Ran into Tim & Kathy Thompson, Guy & Debbie Marshall, and Paul & Kathy Straw friends from Wisconsin. I got to have coffee with Gerry Parker, visit with Jim McGuiggan, and Larry Bertram. I met Johnny Hinton too.

This year I only purchased one book. I saddened that ACU/Leafwood Press did not have a booth. But the one book I bought is Courageous Compassion: A Prophetic Homiletic in Service to the Church by Jerry Taylor and edited by David Fleer. Taylor is one of the most powerful preachers I have ever heard and I simply could not pass this up. I will publish a review shortly on my blog of it.

As with most good things Tulsa came to an end. I got the car at 4:23 pm on Saturday and drove through the night back to Tucson. I got to listen to a number of classes I was not able to attend via CD. Rick Atchley/Terry Rush on what they have learned down through the years; Tim Archer on the huge task we have; and Ed Fudge's three part series.

It was great!! My hat is off to Terry Rush and the Memorial Church in Tulsa for a superb job. I hope to be back for the 2012 Workshop themed "Good News for a Broken World" ... March 21-24. Mark it down.