This year, like the last few, a group from Dayspring Fellowship went to the Leadership Summit. It is a huge conference held near Chicago and simulcast in thousands of places all around the world. We watched it on a big screen in Eugene. In today's installment of my Messages About Purpose and Strategy, I'll tell you a few things I got out of the first talk, a message called Leading in a New Reality, by Bill Hybels. He spoke of trying to sail a boat across choppy seas and illustrated the danger of rogue waves, sudden surprises that threaten to sink the ship and end our plans. Bill discussed how we've all been broadsided by the economic downturn. He likened the severity of the situation to a ship being suddenly hit by a 90' wave. When people ask how long these difficult times will last, Bill answers, "I'm not sure we're going to experience the old normal anytime again soon." He said that the difficulty churches have with funding their ministries can be seen as a hurdle to clear rather than an obstacle that will stop progress. This is a time for families, businesses and churches to all get creative. We've got to change our thinking so we can do more with less. This rogue wave of financial trouble may be just what we need to teach us to walk by faith, and not by sight.