Where else could you hear Andy Stanley, Jim Collins, Craig Groeschel, and Seth Godin (who gave us all a copy of his brand new book)?
Here are the stats:
12,400 people
5,000 churches represented
70 denominations represented
So far I haven't met anyone else from the United Church of Christ and I've been asking folks. If anyone is out there, email or tweet me.
It has been an incredible, bordering on overwhelming experience. These folks are the real thing. Even though our theology and social views are different, with some more than likely radically different. However, that is a peripheral issue. What matters is God's love as it shown through Jesus.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
The labs have been a powerful experience.
The speakers I heard today get it. They have touched on so many aspects of leadership.
Dr. Tim Elmore (www.growingleaders.com) spoke about the evolution of leadership styles, advocating for leader as poet/gardner, an exciting proposition for collaborative leadership. Sally Morgenthaler, coming from a place of deep experience, spoke about care of the leader's soul, using one of my favorite authors, Thomas Moore. Reggie McNeal is as good a speaker as he is writer. He spoke about the seven life habits of effective leaders, who he describes as one who blesses others. I love that definition. Jud Wilhite, a mega-church pastor, and Mike Foster, creator of XXXchurch.com, spoke about radical grace and radical integrity, based on their book, Deadly Viper.
Looking forward to Catalyst tomorrow
The speakers I heard today get it. They have touched on so many aspects of leadership.
Dr. Tim Elmore (www.growingleaders.com) spoke about the evolution of leadership styles, advocating for leader as poet/gardner, an exciting proposition for collaborative leadership. Sally Morgenthaler, coming from a place of deep experience, spoke about care of the leader's soul, using one of my favorite authors, Thomas Moore. Reggie McNeal is as good a speaker as he is writer. He spoke about the seven life habits of effective leaders, who he describes as one who blesses others. I love that definition. Jud Wilhite, a mega-church pastor, and Mike Foster, creator of XXXchurch.com, spoke about radical grace and radical integrity, based on their book, Deadly Viper.
Looking forward to Catalyst tomorrow
Well, it starts today! Catalyst is a bigger deal than I even imagined. I originally signed up because of the content, some of the most well-respected leaders in church, culture and business. But, from what I have heard and read since then, the experience itself is awesome. I can't wait to worship with 12,000 people!
Today I am going to labs, which are a smaller learning environment. I am going hear Reggie McNeal (love his books), and others specifically around the topic of leadership. Then tomorrow Catalyst Conference proper begins. I'm sure I'll have a lot to report this evening.
Friday, October 3, 2008
I received
for the 2008-2009 season today. It was a great reminder for me. I haven't been over there for a while, but I am going to make it a point to make it over there for an Evensong this season. Bethesda is a wonderful blessing to our community.
The truth is that they type and especially the quality of music that Bethesda provides its congregation and community has all but disappeared. It isn't a good or bad thing. It just is.
But at Bethesda, because of their resources and talents, it will remain protected for years to come. I have never been to a program there that I came away without having worshipped. If you are in the area, I would encourage you to try something different and experience a different type of worship filled with pipe organ and beautifully trained and competently directed voices in a beautiful space.
The truth is that they type and especially the quality of music that Bethesda provides its congregation and community has all but disappeared. It isn't a good or bad thing. It just is.
But at Bethesda, because of their resources and talents, it will remain protected for years to come. I have never been to a program there that I came away without having worshipped. If you are in the area, I would encourage you to try something different and experience a different type of worship filled with pipe organ and beautifully trained and competently directed voices in a beautiful space.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
On Monday, Harvey and I planted some saplings that the Eden Place neighborhood association was kind enough to donate to us. We were thinking it might be a hard job. It wasn't. The trees were tiny. Really tiny. They aren't much to look at. In fact you have to be standing on top of the things to even see them. As we were planting them, a neighbor walked by and told us they were going to take forever to grow. They are Live Oak saplings, about 5 feet tall.
The thing is, if those trees are cared for, they will grow into beautiful, strong trees. If they are cared for, watered and fed, they are going to thrive. It will take a long time. Many of us will not be around to see them in all of their glory. But we planted them in expectation of what they will become.
In our age of microwaves and real estate flipping, it is difficult to remember, difficult to comprehend, that many, probably most, endeavors of value take time and consistency. Becoming a disciple of Jesus, which I believe is life's most worthy endeavor, takes a long time. Sometimes I get frustrated that I am not becoming who God says I can be fast enough. Sometimes I want to (and occasionally I do) quit. But with spiritual growth, as in other great journeys, the process is just as important as the destination. And often we cannot even see the growth until we look behind us and see how far we have come.
If you're ready to plant, to start the process of becoming a Spirit-led, Spirit-filled disciple of Jesus Christ, I've posted a few thoughts about that on my
In our age of microwaves and real estate flipping, it is difficult to remember, difficult to comprehend, that many, probably most, endeavors of value take time and consistency. Becoming a disciple of Jesus, which I believe is life's most worthy endeavor, takes a long time. Sometimes I get frustrated that I am not becoming who God says I can be fast enough. Sometimes I want to (and occasionally I do) quit. But with spiritual growth, as in other great journeys, the process is just as important as the destination. And often we cannot even see the growth until we look behind us and see how far we have come.
If you're ready to plant, to start the process of becoming a Spirit-led, Spirit-filled disciple of Jesus Christ, I've posted a few thoughts about that on my
blog
. And I would love to talk to you about it
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
My scripture reading this morning included two passages, interestingly juxtaposed: Luke 21 and the story of the widow's gift, and Isaiah 6, the story of Isaiah's "Here am I, send me" moment. I was struck anew by the widow's gift and Jesus' response. It is easy to give out of our abundance. It is easy for me to do something if I have the time. It is easy for me to give if I have a couple of extra bucks in my pocket and I'm not jonesing for a candy bar. It is easy for me to respond to God's call if I feel that I have enough ability.
But she gave out of her poverty. She reached in, pulled out all that she had to give, and gave it. And she gave the better gift. Better for whom I wonder? Did it actually benefit her life or did it just make her "more religious"? I guess one doesn't know until one tries it, steps out and finds there actually is something there.
Why do the greatest adventures, the most meaningful experiences, always require faith?
But she gave out of her poverty. She reached in, pulled out all that she had to give, and gave it. And she gave the better gift. Better for whom I wonder? Did it actually benefit her life or did it just make her "more religious"? I guess one doesn't know until one tries it, steps out and finds there actually is something there.
Why do the greatest adventures, the most meaningful experiences, always require faith?
Monday, September 22, 2008
In our Bible study at church we have been exploring the book of Romans. We have spent the past couple of weeks in chapter 8 and the question arose "What, exactly is this life in the spirit?" A great question. And I can give all manner of spiritual sounding answers for it. But how do we achieve it? And does it make any difference. The Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard, a true masterpiece which will become to be considered a spiritual classic, I am sure. He speaks of five dimensions or phases in the process:
1. Confidence and reliance upon Jesus
Before we can start the process we have to be confident that following Jesus will get us there.
“...and everyone who looks up to him, trusting and expectant, will gain a real life, eternal life.”
John 3:15 (the Message)
This confidence leads to:
2. A desire to be Jesus’ apprentice
Willard: “Only a sustained historical process involving many confusions and false motivations could lead to our current situation, in which faith in Jesus is thought to have no natural connection with discipleship to him. Our apprenticeship to him means that we live within his word, that is, put his teachings into practice (John 8:31). And this progressively integrates our entire existence into the glorious world of eternal living. We become ‘free indeed’ (John 8:36).”
3. Obedience
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments...They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.” John 14:15,21
We have to put into practice what God reveals to us.
Willard: “Love of Jesus sustains us through the course of discipline and training that makes obedience possible. Without that love, we will not stay to learn.
Obedience , with the life of discipline it requires, both leads to and, then, issues from the:
4. Pervasive inner transformation of the heart and soul
WE BEGIN TO CHANGE.
Galatians 5:22: By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
These “fruits of the spirit” are examples of what starts to naturally happen to us. We don’t try to be patient. We don’t force ourselves to be peaceful. That is just what we are.
This, in turn, leads to an area we rarely, bordering on never, talk about:
5. Power to work the works of the kingdom
Jesus said to his disciples in John 14:12: “Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these...”
Do we believe this?
Willard: “Perhaps we feel baffled and incompetent before this statement. But let us keep in mind that the world we live in desperately needs such works to be done. They would not be just for show or to impress ourselves or others. But frankly, even a moderate size ‘work’ is more than most people’s life could sustain. One good public answer to our prayer might be enough to lock some of us into weeks of spiritual superiority. Great power requires great character if it is to be a blessing and not a curse, and that character is something we only grow toward.
Yet it is God’s intent that in his kingdom we should have as much power as we can bear for good. Indeed, his ultimate objective int he development of human character is to empower us to do what we want. And when we are fully developed in the likeness of Jesus, fully have ‘the mind of Christ,’ that is what will happen--to his great joy and relief, no doubt.”
1. Confidence and reliance upon Jesus
Before we can start the process we have to be confident that following Jesus will get us there.
“...and everyone who looks up to him, trusting and expectant, will gain a real life, eternal life.”
John 3:15 (the Message)
This confidence leads to:
2. A desire to be Jesus’ apprentice
Willard: “Only a sustained historical process involving many confusions and false motivations could lead to our current situation, in which faith in Jesus is thought to have no natural connection with discipleship to him. Our apprenticeship to him means that we live within his word, that is, put his teachings into practice (John 8:31). And this progressively integrates our entire existence into the glorious world of eternal living. We become ‘free indeed’ (John 8:36).”
3. Obedience
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments...They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.” John 14:15,21
We have to put into practice what God reveals to us.
Willard: “Love of Jesus sustains us through the course of discipline and training that makes obedience possible. Without that love, we will not stay to learn.
Obedience , with the life of discipline it requires, both leads to and, then, issues from the:
4. Pervasive inner transformation of the heart and soul
WE BEGIN TO CHANGE.
Galatians 5:22: By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
These “fruits of the spirit” are examples of what starts to naturally happen to us. We don’t try to be patient. We don’t force ourselves to be peaceful. That is just what we are.
This, in turn, leads to an area we rarely, bordering on never, talk about:
5. Power to work the works of the kingdom
Jesus said to his disciples in John 14:12: “Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these...”
Do we believe this?
Willard: “Perhaps we feel baffled and incompetent before this statement. But let us keep in mind that the world we live in desperately needs such works to be done. They would not be just for show or to impress ourselves or others. But frankly, even a moderate size ‘work’ is more than most people’s life could sustain. One good public answer to our prayer might be enough to lock some of us into weeks of spiritual superiority. Great power requires great character if it is to be a blessing and not a curse, and that character is something we only grow toward.
Yet it is God’s intent that in his kingdom we should have as much power as we can bear for good. Indeed, his ultimate objective int he development of human character is to empower us to do what we want. And when we are fully developed in the likeness of Jesus, fully have ‘the mind of Christ,’ that is what will happen--to his great joy and relief, no doubt.”
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