CLASS Communiqué - Ranch Roundup

CLASS Communiqué CLASSEMINARS.org

November 2009

CLASS
Christian Leaders Authors
Speakers Seminars

Award/Scholarship Winners

$500 Publicity Winner

Boot Camp Coming Soon

Partnering with Pros

Things I Learned

Personality Plus for Couples

2010 CLASS Schedule

Essential Ministry Tools

Call-Outs & More

CLASS-ifieds

Bring CLASS Home

Cowboy Dwight Bain - so cool!

This edition of the Communiqué rounds up a few reflections from the

CLASS Christian Writers Conference, at the Ghost Ranch, Abiquiu, NM.
Writing at the Ranch

You Gotta Love It

by Ron Benson,
Conference Chaplain

You gotta love it when the air smacks your citified nose and reminds you what country smells like.

You gotta love it more when the sun splashes red rock canyons-a highlighter with gold, crimson, orange-dazzling beyond your eyes.

You gotta love it even more when a new friendship blooms, an old one rekindles, and relationships are set into adobe for preservation.

You gotta love it yet even more when an editor sits up and pays attention, a gem of practical wisdom is passed from teacher to student, encouragement and motivation float around like a mist.

But you gotta love it best when, amidst all the education, all the resources, all the business, all the headliners, all the excitement, God shows up.

The 2009 CLASS Christian Writers Conference at Ghost Ranch has been distinctive for many reasons. Sure, conferees are excited about what is happening professionally, but what I keep hearing over and over, in many different ways, is that this conference is not just about writing, not just about pitching, not just about the biz-it's about God. He's not an addition to the schedule, but the essential thread that ties it all together. He's the One who is getting all the attention. He is touching, moving, redeeming and restoring. At a writers conference.

You gotta love it.

Mountaintop Moments
by Linda Gilden,
Conference Director

Early in the process of planning the conference God gave us Isaiah 43:19, "For I am about to do a brand new thing. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway for my people to come home. I will create rivers for them in the desert."

He has indeed done a brand new thing at the Ghost Ranch. God went before us and we are reaping the benefits.

These days in the glorious NM mountains have been filled with learning, inspiration, building relationships, meetings and pitching to editors. But the most overwhelming part of the conference was the spirit.

Writers will leave with a renewed awareness of God and a deeper relationship with God that will overflow into their writing in a way that will impact the kingdom. We thank Him for that!

Reflections from the Ranch
By Gerry Wakeland,
CLASS President

One of the greatest joys of ministry is watching God at work even when you're not sure what He's up to. A number of us experienced this joy last week at Writing at the Ranch in Abiquiu, NM.

Frankly, we were a little anxious. This was a new season. God was doing a new thing with the CLASS Christian Writers Conference but we were confident that God had directed our steps and our decisions.

As I look back, I see God's authorship in every detail of the event. The majestic beauty of the surroundings ministered to our souls and after we all survived the withdrawals of life without cell phones and Internet, we settled into a rhythm that allowed time for us to draw nigh to the Master Communicator and discover that He indeed had a plan for our lives.

Bill Gaultiere challenged us each morning to surrender to the Lordship of Christ and to recognize His love as we walked through each day. The days were filled with learning opportunities and divine appointments. In the evenings we were inspired by three great communicators, Jim Smith, Dwight Bain and Alex Kendrick.

Saturday's final worship lead by Melodie Griffin and Craig von Buseck brought people to a place of surrender, trusting not only their words and ministries, but also their future endeavors to a loving and faithful Father God who wants the best for all of us.

New friendships were formed, former relationships renewed. We laughed and cried, prayed and sang all under an incredible New Mexico sky! God was present amongst us! Indeed it is a privilege to watch God at work and to rest in His faithfulness.

Thank you to all who attended. Thank you to all who worked so hard behind the scenes to make this event happen. Thank you to all the editors, agents and faculty who poured into the lives of others. Thanks most of all to an incredible God who keeps His promises and loves His children.

Here's what folks had to say about the
CLASS Christian Writers Conference:

Conference Faculty

"I came here thinking nobody would be interested in my project and the first person I met wanted to make action figures from my manuscript's characters."
- Rob Bunch, Attendee

"I am very impressed with the whole conference and how it's been run, down to earth, and meets authors where they're at, whether they are bestsellers or have a manuscript on sticky notes."
- Joshua Williams, WinePress Editor

"I've had many God moments at the Holy Ghost Ranch. It's wonderful to talk and pray with other writers."
- Bill Gaultiere, Spiritual Director

"How could you not be inspired to write with the majesty of Ghost Ranch." Susan Norris, Attendee

"The Ghost Ranch was full of many beautiful voices. My favorites were heard among the passionate worshipers. The top of the list was the still small voice of God."
- Melodie Griffin, Worship Leader

"I am in control, or at least, that's what the sign over my door says. But I know who's really in control."
- Lawrence J. Clark, Worship Team Member
(housed in the Control Cabin)

"I do about 20 to 25 conferences a year, 250 in the last 10 years, and have yet to leave one that I didn't learn something very important. This one has always been one of my favorites." - Terry Burns, Hartline Literary Agency

"Extremely impressed with the level of integrity and compassion of the CLASS faculty. You are all Top CLASS!" - Bridgit Smith, Attendee

"The 2009 Class Christian Writer's Conference at Ghost Ranch was amazing. Besides being filled with opportunity, it was filled with the Spirit of the great Author himself. This was one of the rarest, most precious weeks of my entire life. The ranch, the people, and the events were abundant with God's presence."
- Anita Agers-Brooks, Attendee

"This week I watched how God's landscape purpose constantly changes. Dry leaves drop to the ground to their final resting place. The full moon lit pathways. Even the mighty rocks that formed the East cliffs of the mesa slid to new purposes one morning. I recognize that my life is a part of God's landscape. I surrender to the changes He has for me. I am grateful to be in this place this week."
- Lyndie Bloom, Attendee

"As I made my first trek up to my room, I noticed my hands had turned blue. I reacted with a smile. 'Yes, Lord,' I said, knowing blue hands meant I lacked oxygen. I instantly understood I must breathe in all God had in store for me. There is truth in 'For I am about to do a brand new thing...' And trust me, blue hands is a brand new thing."
- La Veda Drvol, Attendee

"It's so easy here to talk with people here you wouldn't normally meet or have access to."
- David Cary, Attendee

Congratulations !

Cecil Murphy Scholarship:

Lindy Abbott, Murfreesboro, TN
Becky Berube, Woodruff, SC
Amy Blake, Columbus, OH
Sally Ferguson, Jamestown, NY
Kathryn Graves, Haysville, KS
Sandy Hancock, San Jacinto, CA
Esi Mathis, Pasadena, CA
Norma Newton, Edmond, OK
Judy Parker, Moore, OK
Bridgit Smith, Phillipsburg, KS

Florence Littauer Scholarship:

Lauren Parker, Moore, OK

Dan Penwell Scholarship:

Heather Bradley, McLean, VA
Stacey Smith, Big Sandy, TX
Tammi Scoggin, Amarillo, TX

2010 CLASS Christian Writers
Conference tuition:
Lauren Parker, Moore, OK

2010 Personality Workshop tuition:
Becky Berube, Woodruff, SC

2010 CLASSeminar tuition:
Shari Carney, Edmond, OK

$1321 was collected for future CLASS Christian Writers Conference scholarships, donations can still be made by contacting Gerry Wakeland, 702-882-0638. Thank you.

CLASS would like to also thank all those who
donated books and CDS for door prizes!

CONGRATULATIONS!
KAREN JORDAN WON $500 PUBLICITY!

Karen won a $500 grant from Kathy Carlton Willis Communications.

"There is a difference between a good idea and a God idea."

- Alex Kendrick

A FEW SEATS LEFT - CALL NOW!
702-882-0638

Author-Speaker
Marketing Boot Camp
1-Day Event - Just $99
December 3, 2009
Holiday Inn (Orange Co. Airport)
Santa Ana, CA

One day in December will get you ready for 2010!

Author-Speaker Marketing Boot Camp with Karen Porter and Kathi Lipp is a one-day intensive course will teach you how to:

Market your ministry
Expand your horizons
Book more speaking engagements
Sell more books

Karen and Kathi are masters in marketing ministries to churches and readers across the United States. They know all the dos and don'ts for the Christian market. For an interactive, informative, and proven method to grow your audience, register today for the Author-Speaker Marketing Boot Camp.

Expand your influence to increase bookings

Define your image to reach your target audience

Make online social networking work for you

Increase back-of-the-room and online book sales

Reach event planners looking for speakers

Stop wasting time and $$

rtnering with Pros
Image Consultant
Jill Swanson

by Linda Jewell

All the world's a stage and you play your many parts in the speaker-writer spotlight. Do you feel confident you look your best, so both you and your audience will concentrate on the message you bring? Or do you feel your audience is judging you for looking not quite pulled together?

Be fashionable and fabulous without spending a fortune when you team up with Image Consultant Jill Swanson, author of Simply Beautiful, Inside and Out.

As beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside, I watched several years ago as she stood in a long line at the Christian Booksellers Convention to pitch her book proposal to an editor of a publishing house. Another writer waiting in line ahead of Swanson, who had just heard her speaking about the importance of a good first impression, turned around and asked the question in the back of most women's minds: "Do I look all right?"

She sat her own proposal to one side, gave the nervous woman her full attention, and reached up to straighten a crooked collar to make it look more flattering. She stepped back for another good look, smiled, and patted the other writer on the shoulder. "You look great."

After receiving Swanson's benediction, the woman smiled in return, thanked her, and turned back around, holding her chin a littler higher, to face her upcoming editor interview with confidence.

For twenty plus years, Jill has helped men and women look their best for their day-to-day and stage-to-stage appearances with her books, videos, public presentations, and private consultations.

She is able to provide viable solutions to your needs and circumstances, through in-person image consultations and online consultations. Whatever your age and stage of life, you'll want Jill Swanson on your team, waiting for you in the wings, helping you prepare to shine in your big and small moments.

Things I Learned
from Great Writers

by Betty Southard,
Spiritual Director

My notes from James Bryan Smith's keynote address.

Henri Nouwen: Words are born out of silence.

Frederick Buechner: Pay attention to your life.

Richard Foster: Writing is hell, work!

Dallas Willard: You can't give what you don't have: Write what you know.

Virginia Stem Owens: Find your voice, where is the authentic you?

Brendan Manning: God's power is made perfect in weakness, brokenness, be honest with your failures.

Rich Mullins: Inspiration Happens. Wisdom comes forth when I come face to face with God.

Anne La Mott: Write for the joy of writing.

James Bryan Smith: Think about your thinking.

Dallas Willard: We live at the mercy of our ideas.

When we are with people we adjust our image. Silence takes off our mask, (no one to impress, nothing to prove.) This is my personal addition.

The most important thing about a person
is what they think about God.

Personality Plus
for Couples

January 30, 2010

Exotic Game Ranch
Austin, TX

Just $99 per couple

This one-day interactive program will feature Florence Littauer, and CLASS faculty members Andrea and Gary Chevalier and Karen and George Porter.

The focus of this event is to give couples practical tools based on the teaching of The Personalities that will help them understand one another better thereby strengthening their marriage. One of the highlights of this event will be the interactive group exercises.

* CLASS is looking for a number of Certified Personality Trainers in the Austin area to help facilitate small groups.
If you are interested in being a part of this exciting new event, contact Gerry Wakeland or call 702-882-0638 for information.

Have you dreamed of hosting a radio show?

Do you feel the leading of the Holy Spirit to step out of your comfort zone, into the realm of online radio?

Would you be interested in learning more
about the platform of online radio?

You may be exactly who we are looking for...male or female, a team oriented individual willing to learn and climb the ropes in a volunteer position, as a facilitator of Communicating With Power, the weekly online CLASS radio program. The facilitator must have high-speed online access, be available on Thursday mornings from 1:30Pm to 2:30Pm Central Time, willing to speak on the air and to work alongside and learn under the teachings of veteran talk-radio host, Linda Goldfarb.

To find out more, e-mail Linda Goldfarb and type CLASS Radio Facilitator Inquiry in the subject line.

CowboyMusing

By Terry Burns, Literary Agent

For many, many years it was the Glorieta Christian Writer's Conference. It's the place over ten years ago where I went through the process of deciding how I needed to incorporate my faith in the writing I was doing.

Now it is still put on by CLASS but it is at a place called The Ghost Ranch up above Santa Fe nestled in a box canyon in some of the most amazingly beautiful country you ever saw. The movie "City Slickers" was filmed there which would give you an idea, or as soon as Saundra has time to get them ready I'm going to put some pictures up on my website. But this is the place where Georgia O'Keefe lived and did the bulk of her painting, so that should tell you about the beauty of the place.
Read more...

Parting Thoughts

Brilliant colors on the mesa, morning sun just lights it up
as I sit in the quiet to take it in with my morning coffee cup.
Animals stir all around, as they have all through the night
but as people arise they begin to fade back away from sight.

A gentle breeze it stirs the leaves with a sound like falling rain
and the leaves on the ground answer back with an echoing refrain.
The Ghost Ranch calls us back, fore we've even had time to go,
or bids us stay as we pack our bags still warming in the glow

of a time with friends both old and new, sharing words and sharing souls;
refreshing spirits and strengthening hearts where the world has taken toll.
It's been a trip to an earlier time,
a slower pace for sure,
the time to reflect and to learn new things, write words we hope will endure.

It's been a time of quiet reflection, a time to take it in...
the stark beauty God crafted here, a time to newly begin
to set our feet on a brand new path or redirect our minds
in a manner we came and hoped to do, though of many different kinds

of people, ways and dreams to fill and now with different goals;
formed and nourished through this time in many different souls.
The conference sends us forth with hope while it also calls us back
to finish with the things we start... and give us what we lack.