Catalyst Atlanta Speaker Spotlight // Jonathan Merritt

We are so excited about Catalyst Atlanta 2012. If you haven't entered for a chance to win new kicks or a dream vacation do so NOW! You also get 35+ songs as a FREE download gift from us & a few of our favorite musical artist friends.

Continuing through to October we will be featuring a different speaker answering some questions about the MAKING of a leader. We are really pumped for YOU to get to know these leaders on a deeper level & have them answer some tough [and some fun] questions about leadership. We had such a great response from our speakers we are excited to be able to share two speaker spotlights with you each week, on Tuesday & Thursday.

Jonathan Merritt is author of A Faith of Our Own: Following Jesus Beyond the Culture Wars and a prominent writer on matters of faith and culture. USA Today called him "one of the most persuasive articulators and exemplars of a revised form of evangelical engagement with politics." Jonathan has published more than 350 articles in outlets such as USA Today, The Washington Post, Christianity Today and CNN.com. As a leading voice on religion, he has appeared on ABC World News, CNN, Fox News, NPR, and PBS. Jonathan holds master's degrees from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and Emory University. He resides outside of Atlanta where he serves and teaches at Cross Pointe Church.

1. Who is someone that inspires you today to be a better leader?
The late Henri Nouwen. His book "In The Name of Jesus" has radically changed how I looked at leadership.

2. Looking back at the past 10 years what are some of your biggest mistakes that you learned from that you would share with others to not repeat the same thing?
Every battle is not yours to fight. In my early 20s, I grew exhausted from trying to tackle every injustice and evil and bad perspective I could. Then I realized that there were too many battles for me to fight. I needed to choose which were mine and which weren't.

3. What is one mistake you witness leaders making more frequently than others? What are the steps to avoid this mistake?
Leaders say "yes" too much. They take every speaking engagement, every book contribution, and try to make every major decision that passes through their organization. We are often afraid if we decline an opportunity anther won't come. This is a lie we tell ourselves and it will exhaust us. I have mentors who provide accountability and make me say no.

4. What is one thing about you that "MAKES" you unique, that the Catalyst community probably doesn't know, but should?
I'm a middle child. It's both a burden and a blessing. On the one hand, middle children are almost always slightly damaged. On the other hand, they tend to be ambitious and perfectionists.

5. How would you describe yourself as a leader?
I wouldn't. But I hope those who've worked with me throughout the years would speak well of me, my demeanor, my gifts, and the quality of my work.

6. What are 3-4 keys in the "Making" of a Leader? As you look at the process for yourself of how you've been made into the leader you are now, what stands out?
A big one is humility. We need a rapid infusion of humility into the world of Christian leadership.

7. What's the best piece of advice you've ever received?
You never have to apologize for something you don't say.

8. Do you have a nickname? how did you get it?
My friends call me by my initials, JM. I don't know when this began but I don't mind it. I've been called worse.

9. What did you want to be when you grew up?
A doctor because doctors make a lot of money. Thankfully, God rescued me from my own ambitions.

10. If you could have dinner with anyone, dead or alive, who would you choose?
Mother Teresa. I've always admired her work and wish I had gotten a chance to meet her before she passed.

BONUS- if you had to be a superhero or famous cartoon character, who would you be?
I always loved Wolverine. Question: What is better than super-sharp claws? Answer: Nothing.