What They’re Saying…
“What they’re saying about the HUMAN Event…”
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Alissa Eason
NYC
There are these rare opportunities that make their way into one’s journey where you collide with an experience that speaks right to the very core of your longings. The longing to connect, to contribute, to matter, to have a voice; the opportunity to give and to receive. The HUMAN Event is not just another conference where you spend the whole time listening to “The Experts.” This is a conversation that tells the truth and isn’t afraid to meet you in the practicality of life. This is a space where you are treated warmly and like a Human being whose presence and labor in the world matters…ahhhh HUMANITY at the Human Event.
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Sal Vasquez
NYC
I had such a great time last year at the H2.08! The whole experience far exceeded my expectation. The staff and leadership were very welcoming and friendly. H2.08 was well put together; from the atmosphere to the flow of the decompression chambers/breakout sessions - I learned so much in those few days. I appreciated the fact that the speakers were approachable and willing to engage in deeper conversation off stage and apart from the breakout sessions. A few highlights for me during the conference were when I got a chance to chat with Alex McManus during dinner (what a passionate guy!). And another was that most of the people that I encountered there were on the same journey as me, looking for something authentic. I would encourage anyone who feels like there is more to this whole thing than just going to church. If you are looking for an authentic experience with God then check out the Human Event at Voxtropolis.
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Curtis Froisland
Orlando, Florida
“The Human Event represents a conversation and a community of activists, practitioners, scholars, thinkers, and dreamers engaging 21st century issues and seeking 21st century answers. The aesthetics, speakers, conversations, and overall atmosphere are designed to provoke not only your intellect but your passions.
At the Human Event ‘08 I was pushed, prodded, and pulled out of my box and I pushed, prodded, and pulled others out of theirs.
If you find yourself among the ranks of those thinkers and dreamers who aren’t merely content to complain about humanity and wish it was better, if you believe you must be the change, if you believe it is your obligation to better yourself, your community, your planet, then you should come to the Human Event ‘09.
Come, listen, dream, engage, and let’s make the world human again.”
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Paul Curtis
Crossroads Christian Church
Brooklyn, NY
My team is still talking about our experience at the Human Event (H2.08). The scholarly challenge to rethink our standard ways of following Jesus mixed with practitioners who are attempting to forge new ground was excellent. The format of 15 minute presentations followed by lengthy Q&A with the leaders and practitioners gave the event teeth that typical conferences don’t have. My team and I left feeling that we had participated in a conversation that is shaping the future of the church. Rather than simply hearing from revolutionaries, we were invited to be revolutionaries. Rather than being ‘inspired’ by those who are leading the charge into new territory, we felt as if we were conspiring WITH them. It felt more like an underground meeting of subversives than a conference (and they don’t call it a conference). I highly recommend attending if you’re looking for more subversive types on your team. If that scares you…stay away.
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Ted Dettweiler
Montreal, Canada
The HUMAN event was like going for coffee with new friends. The event may refresh your ideas about the church as well. The engaging thing is that the ideas you’ll take away will be well-connected to the people you meet. Innovative and above all, human.
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Tony Sheng
Washington DC
I attended Humana 2.08 with a team of student ministry global
catalysts and it was, like anything else architected by Alex McManus,
stimulation for all the senses – but mostly for the soul. Our team
was challenged with concepts like what are valid expressions of
Church, catalytic versus “normal” leadership, and how to envision the
future. Wrap this kind of processing around a dedicated team of
Kingdom practitioners and guides; an immensely artistic and creative
environment; and a culture of connectedness and dialogue and you get a
lot to think about, much more to experiment with and a spark that will
launch the apostolic impulse in you and your team. Whatever your
Kingdom role - humanity needs all of us and The Human Event will be
sure to awaken, empower and inspire.
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John Gnotek
Michigan
I read this morning in CS Lewis’ Screwtape Proposes A Toast, “In a word, we (Screwtape addressing young tempters) may reasonably hope for a virtual abolition of education when I’m as good as you has fully had its way. All incentives to learn and all penalties for not learning will vanish. The few who want to learn will be prevented; who are they to overtop their fellows?” Well, Screwtape would be seriously disappointed by the Human Event (H2.08).
Screwtape, CS Lewis’ senior demon in the The Screwtape Letters, is proposing making man think all men are equal would homogenize mankind into a mindless, unthinking mass easily led to Hell. Lemmings. No lemmings at H2.08!
The format was so brilliantly conceived, that I believe the speakers even learned a thing or two from the listeners—who were allowed to speak—face-to-face intimately. What I mean is the format—speaker/discussion at table/speaker/discussion at table/then entire conference split into two groups to have intimate discussion with speakers—allowed direct discussion with the speakers resulting in the speakers having to really think about what they speak, and perhaps to consider points others made. The format allowed a rich exchange of ideas and propositions.
And this morning reading Screwtape pushing the illusion, “I’m as good as you,” I’m reminded how my “veil” was lifted at H2.08—how I realized how brilliant, devoted and blessed some Christians truly are—how I was [undeservingly] in the midst of the CS Lewises of this generation—true deep thinkers and seekers of Truth. I was in awe of the whole experience.
My most impactful impression, quote paraphrased: ”Do you want to serve a $50,000 a month overhead (i.e. megachurch), or have complete freedom on a shoestring?”
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Mark Weible
Director of Church Planting
Greater Orlando Baptist Association
This movement is focused on the greatest cause of all - saving the humans. What a better way to do that than with other humans? I enjoyed the table conversations and group decompression sessions best of all.
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Sonny Lemmons
Miami, Florida
The HUMAN EVENT 2008 wasn’t so much life-altering as it was life-affirming. Oftentimes those of us who think outside of the mainstream shell tend to believe we walk our path alone or in an isolated area with only a small group of similar-minded cohorts to keep us grounded. H2.08 allowed me to connect to a smattering of others from walks of life totally unlike my own, yet we all have a shared passion to illustrate a genuine and authentic representation of God in the lives we live and to the people we share the planet with. The intentional opportunities for personal, in-depth one-on-one interaction and social experiences with the speakers and other participants set this apart from any other “conference” imaginable. The HUMAN EVENT challenged me, reinforced many of my beliefs and insights, and most dangerously of all, it forced me to think about my own biases and reevaluate the areas I thought I was done growing in.
