Day 2 at Catalyst was as jam packed as the first. The quality of the speakers remained the same, and with day one continuing late into the night, day 2 was difficult to engage in at first. However, the speakers lined up were excellent, and had some great thoughts. Jud Whilhite is a pastor in Las Vegas and taught on the 'rollercoster of leadership' from 2 Corinthians 5:11-12. Here is his outline:
11 Therefore, because we know the fear of the Lord, we seek to persuade people. We are completely open before God, and I hope we are completely open to your consciences as well.12 We are not commending ourselves to you again, but giving you an opportunity to be proud of us, so that you may have a reply for those who take pride in the outward appearance rather than in the heart.
1) Do a gut check.
Why do I do the things I do?
NOBODY cares about your ministry scorecard on your deathbed, only if you've been obedient to God.
2) Stay a little crazy for God.
Ministry is messy because sin is messy.
This is a great thought, we have to keep the energy and zeal for serving God that we had the first day we started. Because ministry is so messy, we must be prepared to get dirty.
2 Corinthians 5:13-14
13 For if we are out of our mind, it is for God; if we have a sound mind, it is for you.14 For Christ’s love compels us, since we have reached this conclusion: If One died for all, then all died.
3) Be Compelled by Christ's Love
Your responsibility before God is not to a spectacular ministry, but to faithful obedience and a sincere heart.
Kirk Franklin, the grammy award winning singer and songwriter spoke for a brief time on perils in leadership. He covered 1 Samuel 11:1-27, which is the story of David and Bathsheba. He gave some good thoughts such as "David forgot his position and lost his focus" and "David took a long time to understand that what I do is NOT who I AM".
However, the most powerful portion of Kirks story came from a personal illustration. He recalled the story of his attendance at the AMA's one year, a secular award ceremony. He recalled that when he went to award ceremonies, like the Dove awards (the Christian version of an award show), he was always the main event. People wanted to talk to him and get his autograph and be a part of his world. However, in contrast, at the AMA's Christian artists are not on that large of a stage. He was announced by his publicist and no-one moved to him to shower him with the attention that he was accustomed to. Kirk told the story, that at this point, God spoke to him and told him, that He wanted Kirk to feel like the Holy Spirit does everyday!
A great illustration if you don't think to far into it, like any illustration, but the thought is good: We tend to ignore the Holy Spirit in our life. Have you acknowledged his presence today?
Monday, July 30, 2012
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Catalyst Dallas (John Maxwell)
Catalyst was filled with great young leaders communicating truth and leadership principles. However, John Maxwell, the organizations founder, and greatly experienced leadership guru also took a few moments to share with those in attendance. He outlined the importance of learning lunches and gave the following 7 questions that one should ask when inviting someone:
1) Whats the greatest lesson you've ever learned?
2) What are you learning now?
3) How has failure shaped your life?
4) Who do you know that I should know?
5) What have you read that I should read?
6) What have you done that I should do?
7) How can I add value to you?
John talked about one key to being a growing leader is to define a personal definition of success. Generally for me, that equates to serving God and my wife as best as possible and taking as many people to heaven as I can. Different phases of life may require a little more specific definition but overall, this is an important aspect of maintaining a personal growth plan.
John also outline the importance of doing 5 things in your life everyday that help you accomplish this goal. For me, writing is one of them. It is so important to continue growing daily as a leader, or one will fall victim to the stagnate nature of life.
1) Whats the greatest lesson you've ever learned?
2) What are you learning now?
3) How has failure shaped your life?
4) Who do you know that I should know?
5) What have you read that I should read?
6) What have you done that I should do?
7) How can I add value to you?
John talked about one key to being a growing leader is to define a personal definition of success. Generally for me, that equates to serving God and my wife as best as possible and taking as many people to heaven as I can. Different phases of life may require a little more specific definition but overall, this is an important aspect of maintaining a personal growth plan.
John also outline the importance of doing 5 things in your life everyday that help you accomplish this goal. For me, writing is one of them. It is so important to continue growing daily as a leader, or one will fall victim to the stagnate nature of life.
Monday, July 9, 2012
Jon Acuff "Stuff Christian's Like"
At Bent Tree Church in Dallas, where Catalyst Dallas was held, Jon Acuff captivated the audience with his humor and mockery of mainline Christian culture. Jon is a blogger whose blog and book have gone viral as a result of his creative thought process.
Here is a link to the book we will be referencing:
http://www.amazon.com/Stuff-Christians-Like-Jonathan-Acuff/dp/0310319943/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1341839659&sr=8-1&keywords=stuff+chrisitans+like
I was very engaged in Jon's talk for two reasons. First, I love humor, and love to study dynamic communication. Second, he mocked Christian culture...and I can't stand cheesy Christian culture. Much of what he talked about was simply an application of his book, but here are some highlights.
He mentioned the "Jesus Juke" which is simply the Christian version of 'debbie downer'. If your not familiar with Rachel Dratch's character on SNL, here is a terrible quality intro clip to the skit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9zJHvCsmOI
But the "Jesus Juker" is someone who comes in with an awkward spiritual comment that they clearly haven't thought through. For example:
Here is a link to the book we will be referencing:
http://www.amazon.com/Stuff-Christians-Like-Jonathan-Acuff/dp/0310319943/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1341839659&sr=8-1&keywords=stuff+chrisitans+like
I was very engaged in Jon's talk for two reasons. First, I love humor, and love to study dynamic communication. Second, he mocked Christian culture...and I can't stand cheesy Christian culture. Much of what he talked about was simply an application of his book, but here are some highlights.
He mentioned the "Jesus Juke" which is simply the Christian version of 'debbie downer'. If your not familiar with Rachel Dratch's character on SNL, here is a terrible quality intro clip to the skit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9zJHvCsmOI
But the "Jesus Juker" is someone who comes in with an awkward spiritual comment that they clearly haven't thought through. For example:
(Mike) I can't wait for Saturday! We are going to get to the stadium like six hours before the game. I'm bringing my grill to cook up some burgers, we can play washers, and then as soon as the gates open, we can head on in. It is gonna be awesome!
(Todd) Yeah... But I was just thinking... What if we spent those six hours that we were going to tailgate and watch the game by going down to the homeless shelter and serving food? When is the last time we got this excited about spending six hours in prayer?
The problem is it communicates nothing but shame. Its a pathetic power play attempt for people who just want to make others feel worse so they feel better.
Jon also gave some great spiritual wisdom:
***To wreck your ministry, attach your identity to your accomplishments.***
I would add that this is a the fastest way to wreck your own spiritual health. I've been there.
Further, going to the 'pulpit' or 'stage' to engage your identity is an incredibly dangerous place for a pastor to be, and for the church to be.
*Fame is the worst drug in Christianity.* - Christians desire to be the next big thing, but the reality is Jesus hasn't called us to be the next big thing, but to obedience. Its really quite simple.
Overall, Jon is an outside the box thinker that I really enjoyed hearing. His book has been added to my 2012 reading list, which is getting quite long, but I hope to finish it!
Friday, July 6, 2012
Catalyst Dallas (Andy Stanley)
Catalyst Dallas was a great event that I attended alone as a personal retreat. Retreating to a place where no-one knows me (in theory) to spend time with God has been a practice of mine for several years. People typically look at me like I'm strange, and it probably is a little strange to go off by yourself, but I know that its a vital part of my spiritual well being.
Anyway, Catalyst Dallas was a great event this year, and over the next few days I want to share the notes I have received. These are from Andy Stanley's first session, and the first session overall.
Andy spoke to an audience of 3500 church leaders, all who if you ask are a part of a growing church. (Church leaders don't face reality well) But if light of this perception and the reality that many church represented at this conference are growing rapidly, he directed this message toward leaders in that growing church environment.
*The more successful you are, the less accessible you become.
You have two choice when facing this:
1) Refuse the face this reality and burn out.
2) Use success as an excuse to be more inaccessible.
-the overwhelming nature of awareness to world problems has destroyed our ability to simply 'be present' in the moment.
There is a 3rd option.
3) Not burn out, or check out. Gal. 6:9-10, 6:2
You must realized:
1) You can't shut it all out
2) You can't take it all in.
***Do for one what you wish you could do for everyone***
This is a counter culture statement. From out childhood life has been about fairness, but the reality is, life is not fair. DON'T BE FAIR!!!
-If fairness existed, it ended in the garden.
*Fairness is not a Christian value. Be ENGAGED.
*Trying to be fair leads to always being disengaged.
Tips to leading 'unfairly'
1) Go deep rather than wide in relationships
2) Go long-term rather than short-term
3) Go time, not just money
The reality is *When you do for one, you often end up doing for more than JUST ONE*
Anyway, Catalyst Dallas was a great event this year, and over the next few days I want to share the notes I have received. These are from Andy Stanley's first session, and the first session overall.
Andy spoke to an audience of 3500 church leaders, all who if you ask are a part of a growing church. (Church leaders don't face reality well) But if light of this perception and the reality that many church represented at this conference are growing rapidly, he directed this message toward leaders in that growing church environment.
*The more successful you are, the less accessible you become.
You have two choice when facing this:
1) Refuse the face this reality and burn out.
2) Use success as an excuse to be more inaccessible.
-the overwhelming nature of awareness to world problems has destroyed our ability to simply 'be present' in the moment.
There is a 3rd option.
3) Not burn out, or check out. Gal. 6:9-10, 6:2
You must realized:
1) You can't shut it all out
2) You can't take it all in.
***Do for one what you wish you could do for everyone***
This is a counter culture statement. From out childhood life has been about fairness, but the reality is, life is not fair. DON'T BE FAIR!!!
-If fairness existed, it ended in the garden.
*Fairness is not a Christian value. Be ENGAGED.
*Trying to be fair leads to always being disengaged.
Tips to leading 'unfairly'
1) Go deep rather than wide in relationships
2) Go long-term rather than short-term
3) Go time, not just money
The reality is *When you do for one, you often end up doing for more than JUST ONE*
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
3 Laws of Personal Growth (via Maxwell)
Maxwell's informed the Odessa, TX crowd in April of 2012 that his next book released this fall would be about the laws of personal growth. He gave a preview of a few of these laws:
1) The Law of the Mirror
-You must see value in yourself to add value to yourself
-Self-image can be the LID to your potential.
-Confidence gets you moving, and it moves you faster and sooner than without it.
-Fastest person doesn't always win the race, the person who starts first does!!
2) Law of Reflection
-Learning to pause allows growth to catch up with us.
*Experience is not the best teacher, evaluated experience is the best teacher!
3) The Law of Environment
-Growth thrives in conducive surrondings
-spend time with successful people!
-read great books, attend great events, and learn how to nourish yourself
In applying these laws to my personal life, I'm found that application is difficult. Its hard to see value in yourself. Its hard to pause. And depending who you are, its really hard to find successful people to spend time with. However, the hard work pays off in the end, and the reality is, as a leader you will grow.
1) The Law of the Mirror
-You must see value in yourself to add value to yourself
-Self-image can be the LID to your potential.
-Confidence gets you moving, and it moves you faster and sooner than without it.
-Fastest person doesn't always win the race, the person who starts first does!!
2) Law of Reflection
-Learning to pause allows growth to catch up with us.
*Experience is not the best teacher, evaluated experience is the best teacher!
3) The Law of Environment
-Growth thrives in conducive surrondings
-spend time with successful people!
-read great books, attend great events, and learn how to nourish yourself
In applying these laws to my personal life, I'm found that application is difficult. Its hard to see value in yourself. Its hard to pause. And depending who you are, its really hard to find successful people to spend time with. However, the hard work pays off in the end, and the reality is, as a leader you will grow.
Monday, July 2, 2012
Leadership Event Lou Holts
I was sitting in a staff meeting one day, in the glassed in conference room of CrossRoads Fellowship, when I saw a giant body guard looking fellow followed my a familiar looking shorter fellow. Anyone would have looked shorter compared the the first man. As the mans face came into focus, I realized that the great football icon Lou Holtz had just walked past my conference room. My brain melted. Though it should not have, he was scheduled to speak the next day at our church, and share his thoughts on leadership. Summarized below are his thoughts through my perspective eyes:
*Players will determine if your the leader of the team or not.
There are several parts to a plan of Self Examination:
1) The attitude you choose
-no chance to succeed if you don't believe in yourself
2) Passion to Succeed
-can you live with losing? Are you willing to make the sacrifices it takes to win?
-Many people focus on what they could do instead of why they could do it!
3) Focus on your purpose
*Can't win when we pull against each other
- Every member of the team has a roll. As the challenge escalates, the need for every person to fulfill that roll increases and the team must improve to win.
* YOU can't have a weakest link.
4) Be a dreamer - every person is either growing or dieing...depends on them.
5) Make Good Choices
-Do whats Right, even when its hard
- Everything at the best of your ability in the time allocated to do it
-Always show people you care, people ask three questions to themselves to determine this:
1) Can I trust you?
2) Are you committed to excellence?
3) Do you care about me?
Overall, Lou Holtz had some great wisdom of leadership from a football perspective, which can be applied to several different facets of life. An excellent communicator and entertainer, Coach Holtz engaged the crowd and taught lasting principles of leadership.
*Players will determine if your the leader of the team or not.
There are several parts to a plan of Self Examination:
1) The attitude you choose
-no chance to succeed if you don't believe in yourself
2) Passion to Succeed
-can you live with losing? Are you willing to make the sacrifices it takes to win?
-Many people focus on what they could do instead of why they could do it!
3) Focus on your purpose
*Can't win when we pull against each other
- Every member of the team has a roll. As the challenge escalates, the need for every person to fulfill that roll increases and the team must improve to win.
* YOU can't have a weakest link.
4) Be a dreamer - every person is either growing or dieing...depends on them.
5) Make Good Choices
-Do whats Right, even when its hard
- Everything at the best of your ability in the time allocated to do it
-Always show people you care, people ask three questions to themselves to determine this:
1) Can I trust you?
2) Are you committed to excellence?
3) Do you care about me?
Overall, Lou Holtz had some great wisdom of leadership from a football perspective, which can be applied to several different facets of life. An excellent communicator and entertainer, Coach Holtz engaged the crowd and taught lasting principles of leadership.
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