So I’ve been in Atlanta for the last few days getting ready for the Catalyst Conference. This conference is all about leadership, in church, business or other areas. It’s focused and built by church leaders, so the obvious bend is there, but anyone’s invited.
This is my second year attending, but this year, I’m attending what are called the, “labs.” These are basically break-outs, centered on specific topics. Also, there is one “pre-lab” session that we attended. This year we’re doing it all, and it has already paid off major dividends in my thought processes, before the main event has even started (tomorrow).
The day started off with a talk on Momentum by Reggie Joiner, who’s been a major part of North Point Community Church, and Catalyst, among other noteable organizations.
I wish I could just post a scan of my notes, but it would do you no good (I only remember writing that fast in some of my toughest classes in college, desperately attempting to record every influential thing he said). The basic message, at least the one that flew my direction was this: If you want to build something that lasts, you have to be willing to change what you started.
I have also listened to a few different key leaders/mentors in my life in the last month discuss the concept of not being so emotionally attached to the programs you create that you’re not willing to cut them when they’re not working, or especially when they’re only working well, not best.
This is the margin of the great leader, and I needed to hear this. In retrospect, I’m not sure it’s anything that’s so far-fetched or counter-intuitive that I wouldn’t have realized it along the way. BUT, it took me getting out of my office, out of Arkansas, into a different state, without the everyday pressures of life, to fully embrace this beautiful idea.
So what does that mean for me and my ministry context? I have no clue. Am I going to start axing things like Rambo traipsing through an overseas jungle with a machete? Nope. But I have definitely realized that I’m way too in love with my creations; so much so, that I’m afraid/unable to cut them.
We’ll see about that. More to come tomorrow.
