At Catalyst one of the session was opened up by a musical group and they didn't get introduced or anything...But as soon as they started singing about bones crying out, I knew it was Gungor. I think the Tomlin era of worship music that is accessible and somewhat generic musically is encountering a new era where the creativity of musicianship IS worship. Gungor embodies that...They express worship to God in a unique language of creative image painting and expressive style of musicianship. Here are 3 songs Gungor did that were powerful in worship at Catalyst:
This song, which goes ridiculously well with the message for this Sunday (you should come!)
This song, which I'd never heard before but paints the picture of creation in both lyric and instrument. (And this version is done live in the forest!)
And this song which I love and could only sing through tears!
Showing posts with label Catalyst. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Catalyst. Show all posts
Friday, October 15, 2010
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Booty God Booty
Jon Acuff, blogger and writer of 'Stuff Christians Like' spoke at a Catalyst Lab. Acuff uses satire to help the church see themselves through a better lens. I wasn't sure if going to his lab would be helpful/insightful or not.
Surprisingly, the takeaway was a really helpful preaching/speaking tip...
BOOTY. GOD. BOOTY.
Acuff told the story about how he was listening to a hip hop radio station and there was a song about gettin' some booty...then they had a 5 minute "God Time" where they read a Bible verse and gave some Words of Life for the day. Then, there was another rap song about gettin' some booty. He felt awkward...Booty/God/Booty? Something wasn't quite right. Then he realized that his life was often times, "Booty. God. Booty." That his actions were often self centered, less than christian, then he'd have a God moment. Then he'd follow it up with for wretched heart syndrome. He was booty/God/booty.
He wrote about this on his blog and people resonated with it. Now where this is insightful is that every Christian Communicator has tried to address the inconsistencies and incongruencies of the Christian life with a life of sinfulness. Most of the times it falls on deaf ears because we don't help the story land. People grab hold of "our lives should be consistently reflecting Jesus" and they file it in their brain under the "Heard it already" Bin.
But when its articulated that our lives shouldn't be Booty. God. Booty. Our brains aren't able to file that away. Communicators need to articulate their message with high levels of stickyness or it will have no impact.
**Its important to note that I am not saying that we should go SHOCK AND AWE...but we should seek to surprise our people with vernacular that is not same old same old.
This is helpful for preachers, worship leaders who speak during segues between songs, layspeakers, and virtually any type of communicator. If you can't say it in a fresh, creative way that will stick...then is it really worth saying?
Surprisingly, the takeaway was a really helpful preaching/speaking tip...
BOOTY. GOD. BOOTY.
Acuff told the story about how he was listening to a hip hop radio station and there was a song about gettin' some booty...then they had a 5 minute "God Time" where they read a Bible verse and gave some Words of Life for the day. Then, there was another rap song about gettin' some booty. He felt awkward...Booty/God/Booty? Something wasn't quite right. Then he realized that his life was often times, "Booty. God. Booty." That his actions were often self centered, less than christian, then he'd have a God moment. Then he'd follow it up with for wretched heart syndrome. He was booty/God/booty.
He wrote about this on his blog and people resonated with it. Now where this is insightful is that every Christian Communicator has tried to address the inconsistencies and incongruencies of the Christian life with a life of sinfulness. Most of the times it falls on deaf ears because we don't help the story land. People grab hold of "our lives should be consistently reflecting Jesus" and they file it in their brain under the "Heard it already" Bin.
But when its articulated that our lives shouldn't be Booty. God. Booty. Our brains aren't able to file that away. Communicators need to articulate their message with high levels of stickyness or it will have no impact.
**Its important to note that I am not saying that we should go SHOCK AND AWE...but we should seek to surprise our people with vernacular that is not same old same old.
This is helpful for preachers, worship leaders who speak during segues between songs, layspeakers, and virtually any type of communicator. If you can't say it in a fresh, creative way that will stick...then is it really worth saying?
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Catalyst Day One
Oh boy. My head is throbbing status and Shaina and I actually skipped the last lab session to get read for tomorrow!
Here's one thing that was 'sticky' from each session I did attend.
John Ortberg..."Your sanctification is at least as dependent on the grace of God as your salvation is."
Reggie Joiner..."95% of Christian evangelical kids in elementary and junior high attend church. 55% of them attend through high school. 11% attend through college."
Eric Mason..."If you say you love Jesus but you don't love the church, you are ripping God's bride (and yourself)."
Tim Elmore..."16-24 year olds were interviewed and asked to answer 'what marks adulthood?' The number one response? Not high school graduation. Not college graduation. Not their first full time job. Not marriage. The perceived mark of adulthood is the birth of one's first child. Average age of first childbirth is now around age 28...28 is the new 18 because the parents of this generation have let them be OVERWHELMED, OVERCONNECTED, OVERPROTECTED AND OVERSERVED."
Jon Acuff..."Booty God Booty" enough said.
Chris and Phileena Heurtz...when asked at the end of their talk on contemplative prayer, what exactly the definition of contemplative prayer was, Chris said "The fathers of contemplative prayer would roll over in their graves if they heard me trying to define contemplative prayer. The whole point of this type of prayer is to disassociate from categorization, busyness and agenda."
So much more but this is a glimpse to get you thinking. Anything strike you?
Here's one thing that was 'sticky' from each session I did attend.
John Ortberg..."Your sanctification is at least as dependent on the grace of God as your salvation is."
Reggie Joiner..."95% of Christian evangelical kids in elementary and junior high attend church. 55% of them attend through high school. 11% attend through college."
Eric Mason..."If you say you love Jesus but you don't love the church, you are ripping God's bride (and yourself)."
Tim Elmore..."16-24 year olds were interviewed and asked to answer 'what marks adulthood?' The number one response? Not high school graduation. Not college graduation. Not their first full time job. Not marriage. The perceived mark of adulthood is the birth of one's first child. Average age of first childbirth is now around age 28...28 is the new 18 because the parents of this generation have let them be OVERWHELMED, OVERCONNECTED, OVERPROTECTED AND OVERSERVED."
Jon Acuff..."Booty God Booty" enough said.
Chris and Phileena Heurtz...when asked at the end of their talk on contemplative prayer, what exactly the definition of contemplative prayer was, Chris said "The fathers of contemplative prayer would roll over in their graves if they heard me trying to define contemplative prayer. The whole point of this type of prayer is to disassociate from categorization, busyness and agenda."
So much more but this is a glimpse to get you thinking. Anything strike you?
Monday, October 4, 2010
Getting Ready for Atlanta
I started reflecting back to last year's Catalyst Conference this morning and recalled a few 'aha' moments. Thought I'd write 'em down as a reminder for me and encouragement or challenge for you.
So here are 10 leadership lesson highlights from Catalyst 2009.
1. Sometimes the crowds thin (Rob Bell). When you preach the truth of the gospel, sometimes the crowds don't multiply...they thin.
2. There is a gap between our expectations and our experiences of the people around us. (Andy Stanley). What you choose to put in the gap...either "Believe the best" or "Assume the Worst" will make all the difference in your organization, church, or staff.
3. Integrity trumps Image (Chuck Swindoll). Everyone wants us to polish the image. Make the appearances more stylish, sexy or relevant. But at the end of the day, how you do what you do is more important than what you do when you do it.
4. Move that bus! (Louie Giglio). The people should see His glory on our faces. They don't even have to see God to know that he is awe-some. Because they see it on our faces.
5. Focused Intensity over Time multiplied by God gives us Momentum (Dave Ramsey). You want to see significant organizational, financial or life change? It won't happen just by wishing it to happen.
6. Arrogance is the cause of the financial meltdown in our economy and its the cause of many of our church's meltdowns as well. (Malcolm Gladwell) Don't be like John Lee Hooker!
7.God is doing exactly what he said he'd do! (Matt Chandler) Maybe we will see great victory, maybe we will be crushed, but the bottom line is that God is doing what he said he would do and we just need to be faithful to him.
8.Don't waste a minute of your time wondering who is for you or against you. (Andy Stanley) But instead, spend every moment living out who you are for.
9. Sometimes we get so good at conveying and teaching the message that we never internalize it. (Francis Chan) His Word IS enough. His cross IS complete. His grace IS sufficient!
10. High diving into a kiddie pool from really high distances can be done...even by old guys.
Depending on wifi availability, I will try to keep blogging throughout the week. If not. Be back this weekend!
So here are 10 leadership lesson highlights from Catalyst 2009.
1. Sometimes the crowds thin (Rob Bell). When you preach the truth of the gospel, sometimes the crowds don't multiply...they thin.
2. There is a gap between our expectations and our experiences of the people around us. (Andy Stanley). What you choose to put in the gap...either "Believe the best" or "Assume the Worst" will make all the difference in your organization, church, or staff.
3. Integrity trumps Image (Chuck Swindoll). Everyone wants us to polish the image. Make the appearances more stylish, sexy or relevant. But at the end of the day, how you do what you do is more important than what you do when you do it.
4. Move that bus! (Louie Giglio). The people should see His glory on our faces. They don't even have to see God to know that he is awe-some. Because they see it on our faces.
5. Focused Intensity over Time multiplied by God gives us Momentum (Dave Ramsey). You want to see significant organizational, financial or life change? It won't happen just by wishing it to happen.
6. Arrogance is the cause of the financial meltdown in our economy and its the cause of many of our church's meltdowns as well. (Malcolm Gladwell) Don't be like John Lee Hooker!
7.God is doing exactly what he said he'd do! (Matt Chandler) Maybe we will see great victory, maybe we will be crushed, but the bottom line is that God is doing what he said he would do and we just need to be faithful to him.
8.Don't waste a minute of your time wondering who is for you or against you. (Andy Stanley) But instead, spend every moment living out who you are for.
9. Sometimes we get so good at conveying and teaching the message that we never internalize it. (Francis Chan) His Word IS enough. His cross IS complete. His grace IS sufficient!
10. High diving into a kiddie pool from really high distances can be done...even by old guys.
Captain Splash at Catalyst from Tommy Bowman on Vimeo.
Depending on wifi availability, I will try to keep blogging throughout the week. If not. Be back this weekend!
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Catalyst 2010
Shaina and I will be making our second pilgrimage to Buford, Georgia next week for Catalyst Conference. There is something neat about the synergy/creativity that happens at this conference. Thousands of next generation leaders, joining together to hone in on effective leadership. Andy Stanley and his gang do a wonderful job of challenging the status quo. Can't wait to drink from the hydrant next week.
This year's theme: "The Tension is Good"
I will probably come back with a top 10 ideas/lessons from the trip next weekend. Appreciate your prayers to encounter God in significant ways next Tuesday-Friday!
This year's theme: "The Tension is Good"
Catalyst 2010 | The Tension is Good from Catalyst on Vimeo.
I will probably come back with a top 10 ideas/lessons from the trip next weekend. Appreciate your prayers to encounter God in significant ways next Tuesday-Friday!
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Catalyst Day Two Part Two
**Shane Hipps
This Porsche advertising executive turned Mennonite pastor talked about how the everchanging gospel message never changes. I followed at times and felt sort of muddied in my thinking at others but he said two things that have stuck to this point. We should be Gardeners of the Gospel not Guardians of the Gospel...meaning we should cultivate it in our lives, and let it grow and go where God wants rather than protect it and keep it from being polluted or diluted. Second he said that there are diamonds in the rock of Scriptures that are yet undiscovered...that just creates a thirst in me to go on a treasure hunt!
***Rob Bell
Vintage Rob Bell. "Sometimes the crowd thins and people leave. If you talk about war and how we live in a country that owns the majority of the world's weapons, people will leave. If you talk about Women and how they are called by God to minister, some even to the pulpit, people will leave. If you talk about the relationship between faith and doubt, people will leave, because the truth of the gospel is offensive."
Bell also referred to the Church as another Eucharist...in other words, our role is to be broken open and poured out for our communities, our nation, our world. Good stuff. IS BIGGER BETTER? IS MORE, MORE?
**Tony Dungy
I think Dungy was the only guy to get a standing 'O' just for coming out on stage. He is doing a lot of good things and has a deep, authentic faith, but the fact that we was celebrated like he was, makes me nervous...but then I was praying yesterday morning and began thinking about my fantasy football team...I digress.
We won't win every game and we may not see the fruit of our labor (Dungy got the Bucs to be a pretty strong team, then got fired...and they won the Super Bowl the very next year without him).
Next entry will wrap up day two...Matt Chandler and Francis Chan!
This Porsche advertising executive turned Mennonite pastor talked about how the everchanging gospel message never changes. I followed at times and felt sort of muddied in my thinking at others but he said two things that have stuck to this point. We should be Gardeners of the Gospel not Guardians of the Gospel...meaning we should cultivate it in our lives, and let it grow and go where God wants rather than protect it and keep it from being polluted or diluted. Second he said that there are diamonds in the rock of Scriptures that are yet undiscovered...that just creates a thirst in me to go on a treasure hunt!
***Rob Bell
Vintage Rob Bell. "Sometimes the crowd thins and people leave. If you talk about war and how we live in a country that owns the majority of the world's weapons, people will leave. If you talk about Women and how they are called by God to minister, some even to the pulpit, people will leave. If you talk about the relationship between faith and doubt, people will leave, because the truth of the gospel is offensive."
Bell also referred to the Church as another Eucharist...in other words, our role is to be broken open and poured out for our communities, our nation, our world. Good stuff. IS BIGGER BETTER? IS MORE, MORE?
**Tony Dungy
I think Dungy was the only guy to get a standing 'O' just for coming out on stage. He is doing a lot of good things and has a deep, authentic faith, but the fact that we was celebrated like he was, makes me nervous...but then I was praying yesterday morning and began thinking about my fantasy football team...I digress.
We won't win every game and we may not see the fruit of our labor (Dungy got the Bucs to be a pretty strong team, then got fired...and they won the Super Bowl the very next year without him).
Next entry will wrap up day two...Matt Chandler and Francis Chan!
Monday, October 12, 2009
I witnessed a world record
35 feet 11 inches, diving into 12 inches of water.
0 spiritual significance or application...just psychotic, unadulterated entertainment. Good times.
5 songs from Catalyst
These songs were powerfully done at Catalyst. There are so many amazing worship songs out there. The Church is the most creative place on earth because the source of creativity resides in us and works through us. We as the church have simply sought to squelch the creativity for the sake of ritual or tradition.
(Not 100% sure but I think that Kari Jobe may have sung this at Catalyst)
(I heart Fee.)
(There is something about Aaron Keyes, the depth of his worship leading, the power of his words...He is anointed and truly is a worship pastor, rather than a worship leader...and maybe a worship preacher too! I drew closest to God during his worship times at the conference.)
(I knew this song from his free album download at philwickham.com...Great stuff)
(There's a reason that Hillsong has the top songs in the last 3 or 4 years.)
(Not 100% sure but I think that Kari Jobe may have sung this at Catalyst)
(I heart Fee.)
(There is something about Aaron Keyes, the depth of his worship leading, the power of his words...He is anointed and truly is a worship pastor, rather than a worship leader...and maybe a worship preacher too! I drew closest to God during his worship times at the conference.)
(I knew this song from his free album download at philwickham.com...Great stuff)
(There's a reason that Hillsong has the top songs in the last 3 or 4 years.)
Catalyst Day Two
I'm behind in my blogging...what else is new...It has been a whirlwind of a week and this week looks to be even more hectic...but my cup is full and God is good and God is relentless in His love and grace. Here's a few thoughts from the first day of the large gathering at Catalyst (Labs were the day before).
***Andy Stanley
Stanley just brings it in such a practical way. He spoke out a passage that has been meaningful to me from Joshua 5...the moment that Joshua was marked as the leader of Israel. It is not about who is for or against us...it is about who we are for. If my leadership is influenced by my own popularity and likeableness, rather than my delight in God and my humility in leading, then I am off track.
**Jessica Jackley
I went to her lab the day before and she actually shared a good deal of the same material in the big session...but you have got to check out KIVA if you have a heart for the poor. Microenterprise is quite possibly the future of world missions. (This is why I believe in what Empower is doing.
***/ Malcolm Gladwell
As far as I know, Gladwell is not a Christian but he is a wonderful, deep speaker. He talked about Civil War, the Economic meltdown and the most important virtue of a leader...HUMILITY. He did a great job. I believe he is a writer for the New Yorker and I am looking forward to diving into his book, Outliers soon.
There are so many take-aways from this leadership conference. I will talk about the rest of day one in my next post...but answer this question...Are you more worried about who is for or against you than you are about being facedown, fully yielding to God?
***Andy Stanley
Stanley just brings it in such a practical way. He spoke out a passage that has been meaningful to me from Joshua 5...the moment that Joshua was marked as the leader of Israel. It is not about who is for or against us...it is about who we are for. If my leadership is influenced by my own popularity and likeableness, rather than my delight in God and my humility in leading, then I am off track.
**Jessica Jackley
I went to her lab the day before and she actually shared a good deal of the same material in the big session...but you have got to check out KIVA if you have a heart for the poor. Microenterprise is quite possibly the future of world missions. (This is why I believe in what Empower is doing.
***/ Malcolm Gladwell
As far as I know, Gladwell is not a Christian but he is a wonderful, deep speaker. He talked about Civil War, the Economic meltdown and the most important virtue of a leader...HUMILITY. He did a great job. I believe he is a writer for the New Yorker and I am looking forward to diving into his book, Outliers soon.
There are so many take-aways from this leadership conference. I will talk about the rest of day one in my next post...but answer this question...Are you more worried about who is for or against you than you are about being facedown, fully yielding to God?
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Catalyst Day One Highlights
Just wanted to go through the day, covering all the speakers and the top nugget or insight from each...I ranked each with a star rating system (just like how I rate my friends) 4 stars is out of this world. 3 is exquisiteness. 2 is very beneficial and 1 is a time frame I'd like back.
***Perry Noble
Perry kicked us off at 8:30 a.m. with a dynamic talk on Vision out of Acts 26. A really compelling statement..."As the Church we don't want to try to close the backdoor (unhappy people leaving the church). The Church is referred to in the Bible as the Body...and you know what would happen if we closed the backdoor of that?" Not pretty...This was helpful...If we are to really to go with God and lead toward the changes He wants, we need to expect and embrace that people to leave.
**Reggie Joiner
Reggie dealt with a shift in discipleship recognizing that it will never happen if it is dependent solely on the influence of the time when the people are in the Church. On average, leaders have 40-80 hours a year to impact the typical church goer...This does not even compare to the amount of time parents have to influence their children at home (about 3000 hours a year). The Church will not ensure that your kids know who God is. It's your job as a parent!
**Mark Batterson
I follow this guy on his blog www.evotional.com and I really think he is doing some great things in Church Leadership. He had some great points. The big take away for me was that Insecurity will sabotage our anointing. We aren't appointed, hired, selected, or any other manmade notion of positioning. If we are called by God, we are anointed and we had better be secure on this. Are you called and anointed by God in the area(s) you are serving?
****Reggie McNeal
Absolutely a hoot to listen to this guy. He is funny and dynamic, but above all else, he is a gifted and clear communicator. Reggie challenged that we must reorient ourselves about Church...Church cannot be considered a "what" or "it" anymore like it has for the last 1700 years. Church is a "who". The People of God must recapture what it means to be the people of blessing (Genesis 12).
**Ed Stetzer
Church planting is the hardest but greatest thing in ministry. The guy knows his stuff in regards to Church Planting!
**Jessica Jackley
Microfinance and ending poverty. She told the story of the founding of KIVA. If you have not heard about this...you need to learn about it. It is a microfinancing loan program where you can support entrepreneurs all over the world with launching their microbusiness and helping defeat poverty and the repayment of these loans is about 99%! Unbelievable, simple, practical way to invest and receive blessing.
****Matt Chandler
The highlight of the day for me. Fantastic, deep, profound speaker, who unpacked the Gospel in a way that made everyone connect with Christ. Everything about what we do and who we are had better point to the saving power of the Gospel or we are off track.
The worship led by Christy Knockels and the Northpoint Community Church worship leader was Spirit Led...It has been a long time since I have been moved like that in corporate worship.
Good first day and the real conference begins tomorrow! Time to get some rest!
***Perry Noble
Perry kicked us off at 8:30 a.m. with a dynamic talk on Vision out of Acts 26. A really compelling statement..."As the Church we don't want to try to close the backdoor (unhappy people leaving the church). The Church is referred to in the Bible as the Body...and you know what would happen if we closed the backdoor of that?" Not pretty...This was helpful...If we are to really to go with God and lead toward the changes He wants, we need to expect and embrace that people to leave.
**Reggie Joiner
Reggie dealt with a shift in discipleship recognizing that it will never happen if it is dependent solely on the influence of the time when the people are in the Church. On average, leaders have 40-80 hours a year to impact the typical church goer...This does not even compare to the amount of time parents have to influence their children at home (about 3000 hours a year). The Church will not ensure that your kids know who God is. It's your job as a parent!
**Mark Batterson
I follow this guy on his blog www.evotional.com and I really think he is doing some great things in Church Leadership. He had some great points. The big take away for me was that Insecurity will sabotage our anointing. We aren't appointed, hired, selected, or any other manmade notion of positioning. If we are called by God, we are anointed and we had better be secure on this. Are you called and anointed by God in the area(s) you are serving?
****Reggie McNeal
Absolutely a hoot to listen to this guy. He is funny and dynamic, but above all else, he is a gifted and clear communicator. Reggie challenged that we must reorient ourselves about Church...Church cannot be considered a "what" or "it" anymore like it has for the last 1700 years. Church is a "who". The People of God must recapture what it means to be the people of blessing (Genesis 12).
**Ed Stetzer
Church planting is the hardest but greatest thing in ministry. The guy knows his stuff in regards to Church Planting!
**Jessica Jackley
Microfinance and ending poverty. She told the story of the founding of KIVA. If you have not heard about this...you need to learn about it. It is a microfinancing loan program where you can support entrepreneurs all over the world with launching their microbusiness and helping defeat poverty and the repayment of these loans is about 99%! Unbelievable, simple, practical way to invest and receive blessing.
****Matt Chandler
The highlight of the day for me. Fantastic, deep, profound speaker, who unpacked the Gospel in a way that made everyone connect with Christ. Everything about what we do and who we are had better point to the saving power of the Gospel or we are off track.
The worship led by Christy Knockels and the Northpoint Community Church worship leader was Spirit Led...It has been a long time since I have been moved like that in corporate worship.
Good first day and the real conference begins tomorrow! Time to get some rest!
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
All Aboard for Catalyst
In the airport waiting to hop on a jet to the ATL.
I am excited about Catalyst for a lot of reasons, but here's 5 reasons in particular.
1. Great Worship...there's no responsibilities to plan, organize, preach, evaluate, or anything...its simply going to be time to praise the Lord with 12,000 of our closest friends.
2. Great Speakers...Drinking from the hydrant from leaders of the Christ movement, like Dave Ramsey, Andy Stanley, Louie Giglio, Perry Noble, Rob Bell Reggie McNeal, Mark Batterson and the list goes on and on. It is refreshing to get glimpses into these guys thoughts and methodologies.
3.Great Renewal...Change of pace + Change of scenery = Change of Perspective...Too often the routine becomes routine and we miss out on God moments...lessons He wants to instill into us.
4. Great Getaway...I love that my church cares enough about my well-being and the well-being of my marriage to help Shaina and I make this trip!
5. Great Weather...No more 40 degree mornings...Hello sunshine!
I hope to blog fairly regularly as I begin processing the speakers and what God is stirring in me.
Stay Tuned. Catalyst Lab Day begins tomorrow morning at 7:30 a.m.
I am excited about Catalyst for a lot of reasons, but here's 5 reasons in particular.
1. Great Worship...there's no responsibilities to plan, organize, preach, evaluate, or anything...its simply going to be time to praise the Lord with 12,000 of our closest friends.
2. Great Speakers...Drinking from the hydrant from leaders of the Christ movement, like Dave Ramsey, Andy Stanley, Louie Giglio, Perry Noble, Rob Bell Reggie McNeal, Mark Batterson and the list goes on and on. It is refreshing to get glimpses into these guys thoughts and methodologies.
3.Great Renewal...Change of pace + Change of scenery = Change of Perspective...Too often the routine becomes routine and we miss out on God moments...lessons He wants to instill into us.
4. Great Getaway...I love that my church cares enough about my well-being and the well-being of my marriage to help Shaina and I make this trip!
5. Great Weather...No more 40 degree mornings...Hello sunshine!
I hope to blog fairly regularly as I begin processing the speakers and what God is stirring in me.
Stay Tuned. Catalyst Lab Day begins tomorrow morning at 7:30 a.m.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)