I love to serve, and it was an honor to volunteer all three days of Catalyst in Atlanta. There were some awesome people I got to connect with, work with and be around. But I want to take today's post and share some notes from a few of the sessions that inspired me.
>>> ANDY STANLEY
The more successful you are, the less accessible you will become.
This unavoidable truth drives us in one of two directions. 1. Refuse to face this reality and burn out trying to be accessible to everyone. You can only truly be accessible and present to a very few people. Ministry is about people, not programming. They break you're heart. 2. Use success as an excuse to become more inaccessible than necessary. There is pride and the "big shot" mentality.
Galatians 6:9 – Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Don't be fair. Be engaged. Deeper rather than wider. Long-term rather than short term. Give time, not just money.
When you do for one what you can't do for everyone, you often end up doing for far more than just one.
>>> FRANCIS CHAN
(my favorite session)
There's nothing worse than having a conversation with someone who's not really there.
John 15:5 – I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
If I'm connected to him and abiding in Him, there will be fruit, and if not, then this is just another message.
What else matters other than the presence of God?
It is tiring to ask for the presence of God and to really be there.
Why am I afraid of surrendering and really being in His presence?
It is the spirit that gives help. The flesh is no help at all.
One thing I seek, Psalmist asked, that I may dwell on the presence of the Lord. (nothing else matters)
God is a real person. We can have an intimacy with Him. Satan knows everything depends on our connection with God.
So many things scream for our attention. Even more when we try to spend more time with God.
Don't abide in God & you'll be distracted by so much. Satan tries to get our attention when we pray.
Are we modeling 1/2 hearted, disconnected prayers to those we seek to lead?
When we serve others & share our faith with others, it will feel like & be the church.
When was last time u were completely present w/ God? Because Satan doing everything to distract us. There's no fruit there.
NOTE --- I got to listen in on several sessions, but these are the three where I took the most notes. I will share more later from other conversations.
>>> ANDY STANLEY
As leaders we are not called to FILL an others's cups. We are called to EMPTY our own cup.
There are opportunities to pour into others all the time that we miss.
You are NOT responsible for -- knowing everything about your field -- knowing more than everybody else in your field.
Our responsibility is to find the people who we can pour ourselves in to.
Jesus handpicked those to whom he would entrust His purpose to. He didn't ask for volunteers.
Comments