::Catalyst unwound:: day 1

Today, as with all previous Catalyst conference experiences, was nothing short of transformational in mind and heart. From the the wisdom packed communicator Andy Stanley to the non-churched, best selling author, and top business blogger Seth Godin my day was filled with fascinating wonders of ministry and heart breaking honesty spoken bluntly in love. I will review all sessions from today below. Mostly for my own reflection and for your viewing pleasure. I also write/type as I continue downloading information and paradigms in my heart/brain knowing that it may take a full year to completely unpack. Enjoy! Some may be hard to chew on so I recommend utensils, a knife in particular, to help cut some of this up. (The theme/concept of this year’s conference is TOGETHER. So try to filter your thoughts through this mindset.)

Session #1 Andy Stanley “Louder Than Words”

His text was Nehemiah 5:6-18. Astonishing to see the parallels between today’s economic bailout plan and Nehemiah’s bailout plan! Read for yourself. Which is what I need to do for the entire book. EVERYWHERE I go someone either tells me to read Nehemiah or I hear a sermon on it. I think God is saying something to the CHURCH and to me. 

His main concept was MORAL AUTHORITY. Nehemiah had MORAL AUTHORITY and that’s why the nobles and authorities agreed to stop charging interest on their own people without ANY QUESTIONS ASKED!!! WHAT!?! Could you imagine president Bush sitting down with the banking and financial leaders and telling them to stop charging interest AND they did it without arguing!?! Sadly, most leaders today do not have moral authority like Nehemiah so instruction and discipline falls on deaf/stubborn ears.

He hit on three key areas of our lives where we need MORAL AUTHORITY

1. Forgiveness

      a. We must lead the way, as ministers, in forgiveness

      b. the boldest move as a leader is to get on your knees daily and forgive those who have wronged us

2. Family

      a. if your wife feels like the church is your mistress then you are part of the problem

      b. why sacrifice what’s permanent (family) for what’s temporary (job) ouch!!!

3. Finances

      a. every dollar in our paycheck is a gift/donation from someone who chose to give. Shouldn’t this make us (salaried) ministers take our finances MUCH MORE SERIOUSLY??? Going into debt, spending above our means…. ouch…

     b. Principal of tithing to God and to ourself. He took out 10 $1 bills. Gave one to God, one to ourselves (savings) and the rest to spend… I’ve said this and believe this but I haven’t applied it effectively. (Give, save, live on the rest)

Session #2 William Paul Young “The Shack”

This was an interview session. It was good. Interesting to hear how this guy was a janitor, wrote a book for his kids, had some friends help him publish it (by starting a publishing company) and now the book has been on NYT #1 best seller list for 20 weeks!!! What!?!?!

 

Session #3 Jim Collins “Good to Great”

This one was overwhelming but the guy is a genius! Here’s a few (still) scattered thoughts:

“Good is the ENEMY of Great”

Work = infinite           Time = finite

Discipline of the FLY WHEEL. If we would use this as our system of leadership we would be more likely to change the world. 

Over reaching is how the GREAT fall. 

Signs of over reaching: 1. when you compromise the abilities of the people on your bus. 2. When growth gets ahead of you. 3. undisciplined pursuit of more

“If you have more than 3 priorities then you don’t have ANY priorities. OUCH!!!

“In your organization, if you get better WHOs you’ll get better WHATs”

“The signature mark of Good to Great companies is HUMILITY”

“Churches are dependent on POWERFUL PERSONALITIES” this is BAD! Will the work go on even if I am not there?

“Trouble = confusing values w/priorities.

“a TO DO list without a STOP DOING list is b/c of a lack of discipline.” OUCH!!!!

“It may take 30 years to build a reputation but don’t forget it takes 30 seconds to destroy it…”

Quote of the day: “Every generation needs to develop new practices to passionately exemplify external values that cross generational lines.” think about it….

 

Session #4 Brenda Salter McNeil “Shake it Up”

First woman leader I’ve heard/seen speak at catalyst. So refreshing!! She spoke on Acts 2. That God loves to SHAKE THINGS UP. He doesn’t typically lay low. She seemed to be Pentecostal and the conference attendees LOVED her! Standing O!

 

Session #5 Steven Furtick “From the Promise to the Payoff”

Pretty incredible session. A 28 year old pastor with a church that started with 8 families and grew to 3500 people in 2 years….. WHAT?!?! Elevation Church in Charlotte, NC. He spoke about not being impatient when waiting for God to fulfill the promises He’s made you. Very interesting session. He had the same shirt on as Craig Groschel, HA!!

 

Session #6 Seth Godin “Tribes”

Very intriguing session. T-H-E leading business blogger and best selling author has some AMAZING insight into the drastically changing marketing strategies in our world. Marketing USED to be: let’s pay big bucks to annoy the crap out of people until they are brainwashed to buy our product. It is now: lets invest in one person and let them spread our product name by word of mouth. This is a TRIBAL instinct and this is what he talked about the entire time. He probably had 2,000 power point slides during his 40 min talk. He also just finished a book called “Tribes” and he gave a free copy to all 12,400 attendees!!! UNBELIEVABLE, the book hasn’t even been released… 

 

Session #7 Craig Groeschel “Finding ‘it’ when you’ve Lost ‘it’”

Craig’s talk last year was probably one of the most influential sermons in last 5 years of my life. It was titled “Disturb Me.” This year’s title was different but the content, outside of scripture, was fairly similar. This would probably make most people fall asleep but it was a much needed punch in the gut for my current life status. Craig’s scripture text for the session was Joel 2:12 (see tag)

His sermon was STRETCH ME. But first HEAL ME. But first RUIN ME. It was like mouth wash in your mouth for over a minute. It burned like FIRE but it felt so good afterwards. Thanks Craig for being so honest. 

**Worship Leaders Steve Fee, Todd Fields, and Eddie Kirkland were amazing**

**Jon Foreman sand several tunes that made me smile and cringe. Download his EP immediately if you haven’t already**

Well, that’ll be enough for tonight. We’ve go a WHOLE other day to work through. Can’t wait to tell you about Matt Chandler and Franklin Graham. 

Pray that we would not get so consumed in Leadership Principles/Practices that we would forget or neglect the power of God in our everyday lives!

~ by souperman4x on October 9, 2008.