Catalyst One Day

Travelled to Baltimore for the Catalyst One Day conference.

Some reflections::
The first session was less about fresh content and more about reaffirming the current season I’m in: embracing conflict in order to bring about change. The entire point of our lives (beyond bringing Him glory) is transformation or continued growth in knowing Him. Of course this manifests itself in different ways for different people. Nonetheless, the principle of “character transformation” is always at the core of His story, which is the Church’s story, and of course is our story as well.

-LOVED this thought: “Managers get rid of chaos, leaders thrive on it.” Anything that reduces friction is a problem. That seems so counterintuitive, but an area I’d love to grow in my own personal life.

-“Your congregation will reflect your values.” That hit me hard. The lack in your flock is the lack in your own life. It’s like being able to look into a mirror. This is both encouraging and depressing at the same time. Above all, challenging.

-Here we go with conflict again: “The difference between where you are and where you want to be is the pain you don’t want to endure.” I continue to pray for courage and a strength to overcome fear to endure any pain I avoid, both personally, in my marriage and in ministry.

-"The way I was doing the work of God was destroying the work of God in me." Yeah, I’m planning on letting this quote fester in my prayer times this week.

-Really loved the “Creating an artificial ministry deadline – there is ALWAYS MORE than you can do.” Feel like I do create articifical deadlines to a degree, but apparently not enough because I’m ALWAYS fighting the notion that I need to do more. When the need is all around, it’s difficult to find the balance between restfulness and restlessness.