Catalyst Review: Andy Stanley

Andy Stanley opens and closes Catalyst.  And since we had to leave early to catch the plane on Friday, I only heard Andy's opening remarks (until I get the audio download of the main sessions).

Andy began by saying: "The more successful you are, the less accessible you'll become."  Now, when I first heard that, I wanted to recoil and fight with Andy because ministry is about people.  I would like to think that as my ministry grows, that I would continue to be accessible to people and be interested in what they are doing.

What Andy was talking about was quality over quantity.  In his words- "you can't shut it all out, but you can't take it all in."  There are limits to the boundaries we set for ourselves- and as pastors and leaders, we need to be aware of those boundaries which enable us to focus on the most important tasks-- and allow us to go deeper in our relationships by not spreading ourselves out too thin.


Stanley said these things which I think are worth repeating.

1.  First, "fairness ended in the Garden of Eden.  Don't be fair, be engaged."  We sometimes think that if we do something for one person, we have to do that for everyone else.  Stanley says we don't.  We can choose to do one persons wedding while turning down another opportunity.  We choose (through God's leading) who we are going to go deep in relationship with.

2.  Go deep rather than wide:  I kinda mentioned this already.  But choose a few deep relationships/ministry opportunities to develop rather than spreading yourself too thin.

3.  Go long term rather than short term:  Make it a point to invest in a few point in a sustained/long term relationship.  Mentor them, minister to them so that they might be able to do so for others.

4.  Go time, not just money.  Be personally invested in projects and missions.  Pick one spot around the world and develop a long term relationships with the people and your church.  Personally go and help others catch a vision for sustained ministry.

Finally- Stanley said "When you do for one, you end up doing far more than just one."  When we mentor and disciple- we multiply as the people we disciples disciple others.

My Take:  It was not an earth shattering message- but it was a message that fit the theme of being present.  Stanley encourages us to be engaged in ministry.  To be fully present.

First Thoughts From Catalyst

I had the opportunity to attend the Catalyst Conference in Atlanta, GA last week.  Catalyst is a leadership conference that draws in 13,000 leaders from the church and the marketplace from around the world.  This was my first Catalyst experience and it's easy to say that it won't be my last.

The theme of the two days was Be Present.  This is such an important theme because many times I find myself thinking ahead or worrying about something that happened in the past rather than being completely present in the moment.  This was an important reminder for me.  More important than my ministry is how I am "being present" with my family.  I am a thinker and a dreamer- so that means that my brain is running long after (or before) I leave the church office.  Being present means that I need to engage my wife and my two daughters relationally.  I need to stop, pause, and breathe slow when it comes to my family.  I need to not rush my daughter through their childhood- but savor every moment.

So here is to lingering, to taking things slow, using crock pots instead of microwaves, listening twice as much as I speak, engaging and asking questions, more date nights to just sit and talk- or to just look each other in the eye.  Here is to nurturing these important relationships and pass on the presence of Jesus the Messiah to my girls and be the Godly father and husband that they need and that I am called and committed to be.

Top 15 Things Learned At Catalyst One Day

I traveled with some friends to the Catalyst Oneday event in Baltimore (actually, Fulton) Maryland this past Monday.  I had been hoping to get to a Catalyst event and had originally planned on going to the big one in Atlanta in October. That didn't work out- so the Oneday event filled my void.

Let me just say it was a great day.  Andy Stanley and Craig Groeschel were funny, challenging, transparent, and encouraging throughout the day.  Not just a training event, there was a real sense that God was at work in our lives throughout the day.

So, I have gone back through my notes and pulled out some things that I continue to think about or that challenge me.  I tried to keep it to 10, but I'm just going to let it rip with 15.  Read the list after the jump.