Thoughts from Catalyst

Team,

Most of you know I went to the Catalyst Leadership conference a couple of weeks ago.  I ordered the DVDs of the conference and will share portions of them with you when they arrive.  Until then, however, here are a few thoughts from some of the speakers/leaders who were there.

God bless!

PC

Andy Stanley’s talk to begin to conference was “vintage
Stanley!”  Some of the things that stood out…

• Moral authority is what we have when people people perceive that our creeds
  are our deeds–that we are living what we say we believe.
  
• Moral authority takes a long time to gain and can be lost in an instant.
  
• (To church leaders) Our message is forgiveness–we should be the first to
  forgive.

Brenda Salter McNeal

• If we are looking at God then there is no way we can stay the way we are. 
  (I LOVED that quote!)
  
• God came to shake things up, in Acts He shook things up, God always wants to
  shake things up!
  
• The disciples didn’t realize how much God was going to have to shake them
  up.

Steven Furtick

• LOVED his talk…PASSION was ALL over him!
  
• “There is a process between the promise & the payoff!”

Seth Godin

• People ask two questions when invited to something, “Who is going to be
  there & Who is going to lead us?”
  
• You have to be willing to do something other people will criticize–people
  are not looking for a safe leader.

Craig Groeschel

• Please do not insult the work of God by saying careless things about it.
  
• There is a big difference in building “His” church and building “my” church.
  
  
• Three prayers he is praying is, “God stretch me–God heal me–God ruin me!”
  
• We need to let God break our hearts with the things that break His heart

Interesting Statistics

The Barna Group has published some interesting research that
investigates the moral downfalls of adults (age 18+). Here is what they
discovered:

DURING THE PAST WEEK,

• 28% of adults cussed
  >> 64% of
  Mosaics (ages 18-25)
  >> 60% of Atheists
  >> 33% of
  Men
  >> 33% of Non-Christian Religions
  >> 24% of
  Women
  >> 19% of Baby Boomers (ages 44-62)
  >>
  16% of Evangelicals
  
  
• 20% of adults gambled (including purchased
  a lottery ticket)
  >> 25% of Catholics
  >> 23% of
  Men
  >> 18% of Protestants
  >> 15% of Women
  >> 2% of
  Evangelicals
  
• 19% of adults intentionally viewed
  pornography
  >> 50% of Atheists
  >> 33% of
  Mosaics (ages 18-25)
  >> 32% of Non-Christian
  Religions
  >> 30% of Liberals
  >> 16% of Baby Boomers (ages
  44-62)
  >> 12% of Evangelicals
  >> 8% of Conservatives
  
• 12% of adults gossiped
  >> 34% of
  Atheists
  >> 26% of Mosaics (ages 18-25)
  >>
  17% of Liberals
  >> 10% of Baby Boomers (ages 44-62)
  >> 9% of
  Conservatives
  >> 4% of Evangelicals
  
• 12% of adults got drunk
  >> 33% of
  Atheists
  >> 25% of Mosaics (ages 18-25)
  >>
  22% of Men
  >> 17% of Liberals
  >> 16% of Catholics
  >>
  9% of Baby Boomers (ages 44-62)
  >> 7% of Conservatives
  >> 7%
  of Protestants
  >> 3% of Women
  >> <0.5% of Evangelicals
  
• 11% of adults lied
  >> 37% of
  Mosaics (ages 18-25)
  >> 21% of Liberals
  >>
  18% of Non-Christian Religions
  >> 8% of Conservatives
  >> 6% of
  Baby Boomers (ages 44-62)
  >> 1% of Evangelicals
  
• 9% of adults had sex with someone to whom
  they were not married
  >> 38% of Mosaics (ages 18-25)
  
  >> 21% of Singles
  >> 20% of Liberals
  >> 13%
  of Men
  >> 6% of Women
  >> 4% of Baby Boomers (ages
  44-62)
  >> 4% of Conservatives
  >> 3% of
  Evangelicals
  >> 1% of Marrieds
  
• 8% of adults engaged in acts of
  retaliation
  >> 13% of Liberals
  >> 12% of
  Mosaics (ages 18-25)
  >> 11% of Atheists
  >>
  6% of Conservatives
  >> 5% of Baby Boomers (ages 44-62)

What I find most interesting is how much higher the percentages are for
Mosaics than Baby Boomers. Are Mosaics just that much worse than Baby Boomers?
Or were Baby Boomers just as bad but have learned self-discipline over the
years. My guess is both

What do you think?

Who's Your Bob?

I got this from Perry Noble.....I didn't write it......but WOW is it good!!

I have a friend who doesn’t know Jesus…I’ll call him “Bob” in this article,
although Bob is not his name.

I first met Bob several years ago at the gym…and over time he and I began
talking here and there for about five minutes at a time.

Let me be very clear…we have absolutely zero in common. He’s about 20-25
years older than me. He likes cats, he doesn’t sweat like me…you get the
picture.

About a year or so ago I invited him to church…and he came! (it’s amazing
what a personal invite will do!)

And then the next week–HE CAME BACK!

I think it would be safe to say that if Bob is in town–he doesn’t miss!
EVER!

He always tells me when we talk about how much he enjoyed the service. AND…if
he has questions he always asks.

One day I talked to him about his relationship with Jesus and he told me that
he isn’t ready to make that decision…but, “I think I’m getting closer,” he
always says.

There are weeks when we do not see each other…and then there are weeks when
we see one another several times. He always smiles…and always tells me either,
“I’ll see you this Sunday,” or, “I won’t be there this week…but I will make it
the next.”

Bob doesn’t know Christ!

I’m glad he comes to church…but my prayer is that he ultimately will give his
life to Christ.

I pray for this often!

We are supposed to go to lunch in the next month or so.

Bob doesn’t know Christ…but he needs to!

Here’s my question, “WHO IS THE ‘BOB’ IN YOUR LIFE?”

Who, in your life, needs Christ…but for some reason you have been unwilling
to invite them to church…or even begin a conversation with them about Jesus?

Why? What’s holding you back?

I once heard Brad
Cooper ask the question, “If you REALLY believe in the saving power
of Jesus Christ then why in the world would you show up at church every single
Sunday without a carload of people who need Him?”

Does Jesus save? ABSOLUTELY!!!

Does He change lives? ABSOLUTELY!!!

Has He called us to REACH OUT…or be obsessed with other things?

Jesus said in Luke
19:10 that He came to seek & save that which is “lost!”

If that was the heart of Jesus…and Jesus lives in our hearts…then that HAS TO
BE IN OUR HEARTS AS WELL!!

We CANNOT claim to be followers of Jesus and NOT CARE ABOUT WHAT HE CARES
ABOUT!!!

Who’s your Bob?

Who in your life, if they died today, would bust hell wide open?

What are you willing to do in order to be used by God to make a difference in
their lives?

Here’s something you might want to consider…INITIATE a conversation, INVITE
them to church. There has to come a day when we STOP USING, “Well, I’m prayin’
for them” as an EXCUSE!!!

Go for it!!!

Who’s your Bob?

Are you willing to get uncomfortable in order to reach out to them?

That’s EXACTLY what Jesus did in order to reach out to us!!!

Go for it! Today! Right now!!!

Let’s do what it takes to reach out to people far from God!!! They don’t need
to change their life–they need Jesus–and HE WILL change their life!!!

By the way…the next four weeks here at NewSpring Church are going to be AWESOME opportunities for
your friends and family members to hear the GOSPEL!

Once again–GO FOR IT!!!

Bob doesn’t know Christ!

Who’s your Bob?

What are you willing to do?

Change

We hear a lot about change. So what’s involved in changing something up?

C = Calculation

If a change is going to be made I believe some time must be spent
investigating the possible outcomes that will be associated with it. Some of the
biggest mistakes I’ve made as a leader have been changing something without
thinking it through.

H = Hesitation

When it comes to changing something that we’ve established…we always
hesitate. Don’t get me wrong, I think pausing before making the change is
healthy…however, when hesitation turns into an excuse to delay the
obvious…problems WILL occur.

A = Anticipate Resistance

The very first reaction to change will always be some sort of resistance. As
I leader I am coming more and more to understand that the first question a
person runs through their mind when change is introduced is, “How is thing going
to impact me?” And…if they detect that it may impact them in any negative sort
of way…their natural tendency is to resist.

N = Necessary

Change is SO necessary! That statement was EASY to accept when we first began
because we were changing the ways that other people did things; however, in the
past couple of years or so it has become a sobering reality that the changes
that are necessary are things we once thought of as edgy and innovative…which
ISN’T easy…but, like I said…is necessary.

G = God Factor

What changes are God telling you to make? This could be personal…or even
church wide. I know that He’s been speaking into me very directly lately and
telling me some personal changes that I need to make in regards to the ways I
lead myself and His church. God isn’t a dull God…and so following Him should
never be either. He isn’t telling me the “why’s” right now…just the “what’s”…and
getting comfortable with that has been an adjustment…but a good one!

E = Expectation

Whenever God leads us to change–we can expect fruit to come out of it. (See
John
15:4-5) I have found myself getting way to nervous in the past when God
leads me to change something when, in reality, I have NEVER screwed anything up
by simply being completely obedient to Him–even when that includes MAJOR change.

Reaching the Next Generation

Five best
practices of reaching the next generation

Churches everywhere including mainline denominations are waking up to the
need to reach the next generation. Whether you’re a pastor, elder, campus
ministry leader, small group leader, or volunteer, here are five best practices
when it comes to reaching the next generation:

1. Look for opportunities to engage in culture. Whether it’s
   music, movies, or modern technology, there are countless ways to help young
   adults bridge the chasm between the ancient world and today. Look for
   opportunities to dialogue or teach from the latest headlines, technological
   developments, and best-selling artists and authors. Consider hosting events with
   local artists who can speak on issues of art and faith. Invite a professional
   movie critic to talk about films. Remember that engaging in culture isn’t about
   being in on the latest or greatest as much as it is about engaging in the
   culture that’s all around you. And don’t forget that you can become so relevant
   that you become irrelevant. Never lose the core message of Christ in your desire
   to be hip or trendy.
   
   
   
2. Allow room for the tough questions. The next generation has
   tons of questions – many of them lacking instant or even easy answers. And
   that’s a good thing! One of the beauties of the next generation is their hunger
   to wrestle with the difficulties, complexities, and even the mysteries of the
   gospel. They don’t want an easy-to-follow program as much as they desire real
   relationship. They don’t want all the answers as much as they want to embrace
   the struggle and wonder of the journey. So don’t be afraid to tap into their
   natural desire to know God, and challenge them to pursue him on their own
   through personal times of study and worship.
   
   
   
3. Be yourself. Yes, be your real, flawed self. Though the
   very nature of pastoring, teaching, and leading will try to transform you into a
   spiritual superhero, make every effort to resist the pressure. Instead, be
   honest about your struggles, weaknesses, and failures. The most compelling
   stories you will ever share with those you minister to are ones where you admit
   your struggles, mistakes, and the tough lessons you’ve learned – in your faith,
   your family, and your personal life. Your transparency is a connecting point for
   this generation. Don’t miss out on the valuable opportunity to be
   authentic.
   
   
   
4. Don’t try to compete with the world. Though it’s important
   to engage in culture, allow for tough questions, and be vulnerable, never try to
   compete with the latest brands, trends, and fashions in order to get your
   message across. In addition to coming across as inauthentic, you’ll distract
   those who are trying to follow Christ from what’s truly important. Though the
   world may offer shinier, skinnier, and trendier offerings, the message you’re
   delivering is powerful, eternal, and truly transformative. Instead of responding
   to every whim of pop culture, create your own culture and remain true to the DNA
   of how God has built you and your community.
   
   
   
5. Pray, pray, and pray some more. Prayer is the foundation
   you’ll need for life and ministry – particularly when reaching the next
   generation. Carve out time between the countless needs and demands to connect
   with God. Ask for his wisdom and his strategies. Ask God to bring the people
   alongside you that you need to reach the next generation. Ask God for leaders
   that you can pour into and raise up to minister to others. And watch what God
   does!

The enemy still lives

A PBS Special covering the events that led up to the "Battle of the Bulge" in
WWII revealed some interesting insights. It was the autumn of 1944,
and Germany had been beaten back behind its borders. The Nazi war-machine
was in tatters, and repeated bombing raids by the Allies all but assured
that Hitler's forces would never rise again. Around the perimeter of
Germany's borders, the Allies spread a thin line of forces that one person
observed was so scattered that a man could slip between its lines without
being observed. All across Europe, there was celebration: parties,
dances, speeches, all rejoicing in Germany's defeat. The war was effectively
over.

The only problem was that somebody forgot to tell Germany. Even as
his forces were being shattered and driven back, Hitler was devising a
plan for one last onslaught. Underground factories churned out more
weapons,
armament and ammunition; more of Germany's young and old men
were conscripted and trained for war, and as Europe rejoiced, Hitler
planned. His goal was not to drive back the Allies as much as it was to
divide the British to the North and Americans to the South, and so demoralize
them that they would sue for peace on his terms. Hundreds of men died
because somebody forgot that the enemy still lived, and that the war was not
over.

Team, I don't believe we've forgotten that the enemy still lives, but we must never allow ourselves to drop our guards in that respect either. The devil is alive and well and he's still taking people to hell. It's our job to do all we can to prevent that from happening.

THANK YOU for being part of the team!!!!

A Key Element - Listening

Got this from Seth Godin's blog......and he has a GREAT point!

I had published a book about a political issue. An
activist's handbook. I had 20,000 copies in my garage when I found out about a
large march in Washington. I bought an outdoor booth and trucked the books down
to DC. I stood on the Mall in my little booth and watched more than 250,000
people walk by in less than two hours. Every single one an activist. Every
single one a demographically perfect match for my handbook. After 100,000 people
had walked by and we'd sold only one book, I lowered the price from around $10
to $1 just to prove my point--that it wasn't the book and it wasn't the price,
it was the ability of the audience to listen that mattered. This group, in this
moment, was there to march, not to shop.

The misconception we often have is that people don't care or people are rejecting Christ. This may not be the case. It may simple be that we are overlooking
the single most important issue: is the person you're talking to ready to
listen?

That's a huge question. If they're ready to listen, great. If they're not ready, how can we help get them ready? We never change the message, but we must constantly be changing the delivery........if we want them to listen, that is!

Simplifying.....and Prioritizing Life

In Richard Foster's book of discipline he divides discipline into
three parts:


Inward, Outward, and Corporate discipline. He places
simplicity under the category of the Outward Disciplines. Here are his nine
ways to order our world so that we can create simplicity in our
life.

First, buy things for their usefulness rather than their
status

Second, reject anything that is producing an addiction in
you.

Third, develop a habit of giving things away.

Fourth, refuse to be
propagandized by the custodians of modern gadgetry.

Fifth, learn to enjoy
things without owning them.

Sixth, develop a deeper appreciation for the
creation.

Seventh, look at a healthy skepticism at all "buy now, pay later"
schemes.

Eighth, obey Jesus' instructions about plain, honest
speech.

Ninth, reject anything that will breed the oppression of
others.

Tenth, shun whatever would distract you from you main goal: "Seek
first the
kingdom of God."

[Wow, do I have some growing to do!]

What If....

From Perry Noble:

I had some “what if” thoughts the other day that I wanted to share…

• WHAT IF the church really believed that Jesus was as powerful as Scripture
  says that He is?
  
• WHAT IF we were not afraid to BEG GOD for ridiculous things, knowing that He
  is able?
  
• WHAT IF we REALLY believed that Acts
  2:41-47 was actually the starting point of all that God wants to do through
  the church and NOT the watermark?
  
• WHAT IF we really believed that a life dedicated to Christ means that we are
  completely His…not just on Sunday?
  
• WHAT IF every church became a cheerleader of other churches and not critics?
  
  
• WHAT IF we really believed the church existed to CHANGE the world and not
  just to “meet my needs!”
  
• WHAT IF we really believe that teenagers and children are worth the
  investment and poured resources into them instead of making them sell doughnuts
  in front of department stores?
  
• WHAT IF we really believed God’s Kingdom should grow through the church
  instead of being stagnant?
  
• WHAT IF we were willing to lay aside our personal preferences for the sake
  of reaching those who are far from God?
  
• WHAT IF we refused to participate in slandering and tearing down another
  person?
  
• WHAT IF we sought to embrace God’s plan for our lives (and churches) instead
  of trying to get Him to bless ours?

Random Thoughts

Leadership Thoughts from Romans 9-16

If faith comes from hearing the message, someone needs to step up and preach the message so those outside the faith hear it. (10:14)

I have a responsibility to inspire others to fulfill God's purpose in their lives. (11:13-14)

I'm glad God values wisdom and knowledge, but I'll never know what he knows. (11:33-34)

Am I a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God? That's real worship. (12:1)

God gifts us differently. Which is another way of saying it's silly for all of us to think we'll have the same gift. (12:6-8)

"Honor one another above yourselves." (12:10)

God establishes leadership authority including the government. And, one specific way that we're supposed to submit to God's authority is by paying taxes. (13:1-7)

"Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification." Imagine how the world would view the Church is we embraced that statement. (14:19)

God wants unity within his Church. (15:5-7)

Faith produces hope. (15:13)

I love it that our faith embraces the leadership role of women. (16:1-5)


Thoughts from Perry Noble:

"When the Gospel takes root in someone's life, everything changes."

"A 95% commitment to Christ is 5% too short."

"God doesn't want anything from you. He wants everything."

"God will forgive us for our past sins, but he will always deal with our current sins."

"We will never understand what he expects until we discover who he is."

"Until we understand what he expects, we'll never give him our very best."

Referring to Malachi 1:10: "This is where the fertilizer hits the fan...if you know what I mean."

"If your offering means nothing to you, why do we expect it would mean anything to God."

“Are you doing what you’re doing because you’re called to do it?”

“We don’t volunteer for this stuff. We’re called. If we’re volunteering, we’re stupid.”

We need to understand our priorities.
Our calling: (1) Be with Jesus. (2) We are supposed to preach. (3) We are supposed to have authority.

“God is not green, Kermit is. God doesn’t want us to save the planet while people are going to Hell.”

“It will be a cold day in Hell when I preach a message on recycling at the neglect of the Gospel message.”

“I’m crazy enough to think God has at least one more big move in him.”

“Stop walking in fear. Start walking in the authority that God has given us.”

“Do you really want to be a prostitute the rest of the life, or do you want to do what God has called you to do?”

“Sometimes God will call you to do some things that don’t make sense.”

God to Perry: “Boy, you do what I tell you to do and let me take care of the results.”

“You and I are going to experience temptation and spiritual warfare on a level that others in our congregation will never understand.”


From Mark Batterson (Author of In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day)

“I covet the favor of God.”

“God, you are so far behind what my human imagination can conceive of.”

We underestimate God…by a lot. Our dreams are too small.

“We confess are sin all the time, but when was the last time you confessed the smallness of your dreams.”

We need to start dreaming and stop imitating.

“It always starts with a dream that God conceives in our heart.”

“We all need dreams that are way beyond our ability to accomplish.”

“I’d rather have one God idea than a thousand good ideas.”

“We can do all things through Him who strengthens us.”