past Q talks now online for free

[Q] is an annual conference (aka boutique event) for Christian leaders to hear the latest innovative ideas for making Kingdom impact in the very fabrics of culture. [Q] was partly inspired by “the exclusive TED conference as well as the Clinton Global Initiative” and its 3rd year will be in Austin, Texas, on April 27-29, 2009. Register before October 29th for the earliest discount of $625.

What is really cool, especially in an open-source world, is that Q has now made available videos of past talks for free viewing online! (cf. TED has over 300 talks online for free listening/viewing, courtesy of sponsors; TED costs $6,000 per person and already sold out for 2009; seats open at $3,750 for simulcast via satellite)

Q TALKS are 18-minute presentations given annually at the Q gathering by thought leaders and practitioners on the topics of the future, the church, the culture, and the gospel. One Q Talk is released every two weeks.

Of the talks online to date, mine and the crowd’s unanimous favorite was Andy Crouch‘s talk about Stepping into Culture. Andy further elaborates his profoundly insightful thoughts about culture and Gospel in his book, Culture Making: Rediscovering our Creative Calling. I believe this book is imperative for understanding how to live the Gospel.

Another one of my favorite Q talks is Kevin Kelly’s Christianity in 1000 years — this talk stretches our thinking beyond short-term results. This makes sense to me, for some odd reason. What if my calling and work will have no results in my generation, but would impact and bear fruit in a future generation? That’s appealing to me.