Catalyst recap

Back from my first Catalyst Conference!

Not only did I have a great time with my church friends, but I was inspired and renewed during this time away. Well, spiritually, anyway. Physically, I don’t feel so great… a 16-hr bus ride will do that to you.

Here’s a quick recap of some of my favorite moments:

• Hearing Chuck Swindoll preach. I expected his sermon to be littered with nuggets of wisdom that only a 75 yr old preacher and author could know. And it was. But it was also hilarious!

One such nugget of wisdom, on the topic of church leadership:

“It’s hardest at home.  No one tells you that in seminary. But you don’t go home to your kids saying, ‘Dad! How was Catalyst?!?’ You go home and they say, ‘Dad! Your fly’s open!’”

• Rob Bell is also much better and funnier in person. He talked about resting and doing what is set before you NOW. Whether it is big or small. He also referenced, “WTF” and crackpipes and had us all in stitches.

• The end of the first day, we were so psyched to hear Francis Chan speak. I was expecting another inspirational, deep, profound message, but Francis came up and said he was asked to simply talk about the person of Jesus Christ and lead us into communion. It was the best way to end that night… just soaking in God’s presence, casting off doubts, anxieties, and worries, and remembering that even in a room of 13,000 church leaders, we can forget to invite God to the party. (Also, we got pre-packed communion cups! Looks like a coffee creamer cup, but with grape juice and a communion wafer. Ingenious!)

• The many, many, many, MANY ridiculous laughs had with my buddies. Too many inappropriate and ridiculous things to be recounted here.

• 3 days away from the office! I’m not getting paid for those days, so that kind of sucks, but I needed the time away. Monday’s going to hurt, but I’m trying to have a renewed perspective about what God has given me to do there.

• Singing really, really loudly without worrying about mic levels, harmonies, how I blend, etc. It was good to worship so freely with some amazing worship leaders. Names for you to know: Aaron Keyes and Zach Williams (Trinity Grace Church NY, NY)

• Specifically, singing songs that we are singing tomorrow at Refuge. It was good to be ministered to with songs that had become so technical and lifeless in my mind. I’d over-analyzed and over-rehearsed them in my head and it was good to release that and remember the meanings of these songs again.

Overall, it was a great experience. I’m not the type of person to hype up conferences or think that they will necessarily change your life, but I like the content of Catalyst. They have a good and clear vision, and what they do and provide for leaders is important. If you ever have the chance to go, I’d highly recommend it. If you can’t get to Atlanta, there is a Catalyst west coast in California, and several Catalyst One Day events throughout the country.

Check it out at www.catalystconference.com.