Catalyst Atlanta 2012 // Day Three Recap

Pastor Charles Jenkins and Fellowship Chicago filled the arena with powerful worship to open day 3 of Catalyst Atlanta. Reminding all that we are made to worship, the sounds of song and praise filled the arena as speakers prepared to take the stage for the day.

Jon Acuff, blogger behind Stuff Christians Like and author of Quitter, was up first this morning and shared two powerful statements with all listening: Remember who you are. Remember who God is. Acuff made that important point that we are not what we make, but rather God calls us to make because He loves us and provides joy in the process. In remembering who God is, we are reminded that God will never be handcuffed by our failures or unleashed by our successes.

Craig Groeschel, Founding Pastor of Lifechurch.tv and author of Weird and Soul Detox, took the platform next and spoke from Acts 20:22 while sharing the four phases of transition that, like Paul, we as followers of Christ will experience in the process of being made. The first inclination that clues us into the process is the Spirit's prompting. When God plants a vision in our spirit, it's time to listen. Pay attention to these small moments and be obedient. Often when heeding to the Spirit's prompts, we will be met with certain uncertainty, another sign of the process. We will be asked to step out of our comfort zones and into our destinies. As a lamp illuminates only a few steps, the Word will guide you as you walk into your calling. If we aren't leading with a little uncertainty every now and then, you aren't leading by faith. Thirdly, as we are being made, we will face predictable resistance. In this phase, it's important to engage in the battle and be obedient to the stirring in our heart. Groeschel reminds us that If we aren't ready to face opposition for our obedience to God, we are not ready to be used by God. The last phase, one that few people reach, is uncommon clarity. Like Paul, we must accept that "life is worth nothing...if only [we] may finish the race and complete the task for which [we] were created."

The next session of the day began as attendees were encouraged to step out in faith and support the Maker's Market-a tent outside where every product highlighted is handcrafted by people who are working their way out of poverty and into a better life.

Another round of worship-complete with a surprise guest appearance from Michael W. Smith-ushered the crowd into the presence in the Lord and opened hearts across the room as Matt Chandler, Lead Pastor of The Village Church and author of The Explicit Gospel, prepared to take the stage. Chandler, who taught on Galatians 4, encouraged listeners to be honest with Holy Spirit and allow Him to minister to our hearts. Urging leaders not to define success in the external, he reminded us all that as co-heirs of Christ, we are promised an inheritance that far outweighs the merits of our current world.

After powerful Bible teaching throughout the morning, afternoon sessions were filled with practical tips and leadership strategies. First, listeners were clued into the importance of why from the author of Start With Why, Simon Sinek.

"A leader only needs one thing," he said. "Followers."

Sinek cautioned attendees to the difference between manipulation and influence by illustrating the Golden Circle. The ability to communicate from the inside out, beginning with the why, implements authenticity within an organization. A healthy organization, Sinek says, is one that is filled with trust on all sides. First and foremost, leaders care for those who choose to follow-who choose to go in the direction of the leader.

Pulling on the heartstrings of everyone in the room, Jeffrey Canada, President and CEO of Harlem Children's Zone and one of Time Magazine's 2011 Most Influential People, spoke next about the evil he has witnessed and how he has stepped in to do his part to fight it. The challenge in America, according to Canada, is young people growing up without role models. As leaders, we must be prepared to do the tough things.

"Do not confuse leadership with celebrity," Canada said. Though he has spoken into millions of living rooms across the United States, Canada sees his role not as a celebrity, but as a leader advocating education reform in this country.

To end a dynamic day of teaching and practical leadership advice, Andy Stanley ended Catalyst 2012 with a teaching on the importance of synergy. Stanley shared with leaders in the room the bare minimums for creating a high-performance, synergistic team: select the doer, not the thinker, clarify the win, orchestrate and evaluate everything and lastly, bring extraordinary clarity around these three things. It's easier, he said, to educate a doer than to activate a thinker. Additionally, ‘doers' are fueled by their desire to create a win. Stanley encouraged leader to create a feedback loop within their team that keeps them close to critical events. Keeping these three standards for performance in synergy, teams can understand why the organization runs well and, more importantly, how to fix it when it isn't.

A paragraph cannot summarize the impact of the last three days. There have been lives changed. Lives made. Dreams birthed. And hearts stirred. There have been moments of elation, moments of conviction and moments of heartbreak as we have recognized and embraced our calling as a global church. We hope that at the end of this experience, you are further into the process of being made-that you are becoming the person you are called to be and that you are equipped to live it out from today forward. We can't wait to see you all next year at Catalyst 2013!