Jon Acuff

How do you not get lost in the process? How do you not confuse MAKING with achieving?

1. Remember who you are. You are not the things you MAKE. Your identity is not tied to what you do for a living. Fame is the most dangerous drug in Christianity today. Remember the Creator of the Universe knows your name…that’s as famous as you ever need to be.

2. Remember who God is. God is never restricted in His Glory by the size of your platform. God will never be hand-cuffed by your failures or unleashed by your successes. He is God. Don’t put that pressure on yourself. Don’t be like the brother of the prodigal son, don’t miss the party because you are slaving in the fields, when that isn’t what your Father has called you to do.

Matt Chandler

Catalyst does one of two things to people. It encourages/magnifies or it discourages/depletes.

The Holy Spirit illuminates. And what we need is illumination.

When you get time with Him, be honest about where you are and ask God to minister to you, ask Him to break somethings, ask Him to dial in your hearts to where your identity lies.

In Galations 4:21, Paul asserts that it is not in the Biblical to live under the law. The law tells us that transformation doesn’t happen outside in, but rather inside out.

We can begin to define our value, by external things instead of internal things. If you do that, you’ll have a hard time celebrating the success of other’s ministries.

Our people need to know that God works in a mess.

Living under the law is slavery. You will never walk in the fullness and the freedom that Christ brings.

You have been saved by GRACE alone. Justification is the crown jewel of our salvation.

God calls me son. Justification leads up to our sonship. It allows us to be sons and daughters of God.

I might a lot of people who believe that we are forgiven but who act all crotchety. It is because they view God as Judge, not as Father.

We can’t forget that we are coheirs with Christ. And this is our inheritence:

1. We get God himself in good times and bad. He is our strength. He is our portion. He is all we need.

2. One day we’ll get resurrected. Death has no sting. Loss carries no weight. Everything is made new.

3. We get the world.

4. We get suffering and rejection. The promise you have been given in God is regardless of your circumstances.

Be faithful where you are. Good days, bad days, and normal days are all about God conforming you and transforming you. God is chiseling you.

God doesn’t drive an ambulance. He never shows up late.

It was a great couple of days at Catalyst. Can’t wait to be back next year!

The Quotable Bryan Stevenson

We work with the broken, because we too are broken.

We are not defined by the worst thing we have ever done.

Brokenness can be healed by GRACE, brokenness can be mended by MERCY.

The biggest problem we have is the profound absence of hope.

The opposite of poverty is not really wealth but justice.

Justice begins when we recognize the humanity of every person.

Stone-catching is not an elective, it’s our calling.

Don’t miss Bryan’s TED talk for which he received the strongest standing ovation ever seen at TED.

 Perry Noble on The Frustrated Leader

No matter what we do, we can’t satisfy everyone.

David was the one of most extraordinary leaders in the Bible. David in 1 Samuel 16, was completely ignored because of the older generation. David learned, when no one was watching, a skill that propelled him to a place of leadership, how to sling stones.

There is no progress in leadership, unless we embrace the process of leadership. We have to get past yearning to get discovered and start yearning for God to develop us.

If you are gifted, you just use your gift, and the world will see you using your gift.

We all have been in a place where we think we are doing what we should be doing. But then you realize that people don’t like what you are doing or who you are reaching.

David was working for a leader that was very insecurity. He and Saul kept butting heads.

We don’t have to discover how to reach the next generation. They are going to discover how to reach themselves. God’s going to do something great with the next generation. We can either oppose it, and get passed over, or join it.

Here’s how we know David was a leader. He went somewhere and people followed. One of the greatest things about David, he NEVER dishonored Saul at any point.

The easiest thing to do when we are frustrated is to talk smack. But instead of talking about them, talk to God and ask him to MAKE you, to develop you.

I’m hanging out at Catalyst today and loving every minute. After missing the big Atlanta shindig last year, it’s so nice to be back, to be learning from such gifted leaders, to hang with friends from around the world and to rest, reflect and worship with 13,000 believers.

Since a lot of you couldn’t be here., thought I’d recap each day so you don’t have to miss everything! The theme this year is MAKE.

Andy Stanley – The Making of a Leader

When leaders tell their stories, they talk about what MADE them leaders.

Information and insight alone do not a leader MAKE.

When leaders tell their stories about what MADE them a leader,  very rarely do they mention podcasts, articles, or blog posts.

3 Things That MAKE a Leader:

• Unexpected Opportunity
• Unavoidable Adversity
• Unquestionable Calling

But it’s not only the opportunity, adversity or calling that MAKE the leader. It’s the response to those things that MAKE the leader.

You need to write a story worth telling. God is MAKING you a leader. Respond well.

You have no control over any of it, except for how your respond.

3 Significant Things That Shaped Andy Stanley:

• Growing up his father told him rover and over again. “God has a plan for your life and you don’t want to miss it.” There was a sense of destiny that was constantly spoken over Andy and his sister. His first journal entry as a 17 year old, “I need to tell my son at a young age that God has a plan for his life.” Not only is God making you but he’s making your children, your grandchildren, and other people that are watching. Actions can echo into the next generation. Your response to opportunity, adversity, and calling can have more impact than you could ever imagine.
• A college leader once said to Andy, “I have a postion and I have a title, but you have influence. I want you to use it. Because influence is more important that position or title.” This was important because it was the first time Andy was thrown into an arena and didn’t know what to do.  It was an unexpected opportunity and Andy felt unprepared. But he stepped up and started sharing the Bible with his peers.
• As a result of a growing tension between Andy’s church and the gay community, at 27 Andy preached a sermon  on homosexuality. It was the first subject he’d ever heard on the subject.  It’s better to MAKE a difference than a point. Every once in awhile you are going to be disturbed by something, pay attention to that tension. God MAKES a leader by stirring our hearts. Leaders walk into messes.

You don’t want to miss the Catalyst Conference, where 13,000 young leaders will converge for the leadership experience of the year, including high-octane speakers, powerful worship, innovative programming, and a leadership experience unlike any other. It is going to take place October 3-5, 2012 in Atlanta, GA.

Hear from leadership authorities including Andy Stanley, Patrick Lencioni, Francis Chan, David Platt, Christine Caine, Craig Groeschel, Perry Noble and Matt Chandler, along with several innovative thinkers and practitioners like Emmy award winning executive producer of Survivor Mark Burnett, Harlem Children’s Zone founder and TIME 2011 Most Influential People list Geoffrey Canada, Equal Justice Initiative founder Bryan Stevenson, musician Israel Houghton, uber blogger and best-selling author Jon Acuff, and best-selling authors and TED Talks sensations Susan Cain and Simon Sinek.

Plus, be sure to go in early for Catalyst Labs, featuring thought leaders like Reggie Joiner, Michael Hyatt, Mark Batterson, Tim Elmore, Lysa Terkeurst, David Platt, Carlos Whittaker, Eugene Cho, Bob Goff, Lynne Hybels, Nick Vujicic, Tullian Tchividjian, Jen Hatmaker, Jon Acuff, and others.

A special registration rate of $219 is being made available to you (over $100 savings). To take advantage of this Exclusive offer, call 888.334.6569 to speak with the Catalyst Concierge team, or register at www.catalystconference.com and use RATE CODE FOB. The special rate expires this week on Thursday, August 23rd, so make sure and register early.

PS – Wednesday night is the annual Bloggers Meetup. It’s only $5 and it goes to a great cause. {Yes, this year it is benefitting  Food for the Hungry!} The Bloggers Meetup is a great time to mix, mingle or stalk some of your favorite online friends. Go here for more information and here to register. 

What’s your favorite Catalyst memory? 

You won’t want to miss the Catalyst West Conference, happening April 18-20, 2012 at Mariner’s Church in Irvine, California, where 3,500 young leaders will converge, including high-octane speakers, powerful worship, innovative programming, and an experience unlike any other.

Hear from leadership authorities including Andy Stanley, Marcus Buckingham, David Platt, Erwin McManus and Craig Groeschel, along with several innovative thinkers and practitioners like skateboarding legend Tony Hawk, design expert Nancy Duarte, best-selling author Donald Miller, author and adventurer Bob Goff, and Stuff Christians Like Jon Acuff.

Plus, Catalyst Labs will feature innovative thought leaders like Michael Hyatt, Mark Batterson, Britt Merrick, David Kinnaman, Ryan Meeks, Lysa TerKeurst, Charles Lee, Rick McKinley,and others.

Best Rates on Catalyst West tickets end this Thursday, February 16th, so REGISTER NOW. Call 888.334.6569 to speak to a Catalyst Concierge, or register online at www.catalystwestcoast.com. You can use Rate Code FOB for an additional discount off your ticket price. Catalyst will sell out, so make sure and register early!

Plus, it is a great excuse to come visit ME!

Wisdom Brewster Laid Down at Echo

Programming is really about planning, preparing and executing great ideas to create atmosphere. Hustle is not about how we work, it’s about how we approach our work. Hustle is a mindset one embraces. It’s doing whatever it takes and refusing to accept excuses or hinderance from allowing us to do the things we have been made to do.

Why does programming matter?

At Cross Point, we want to create an atmosphere where our communicators can win every time they stand up.

Here’s our process:

Meet and review what needs to happen {big picture} over the next 12 months.

2 Vision Series, 4 Regular Series, 1 Summer Series, 1 Christmas, 1 Easter.

Then break it into Series View.

Work one series out. The first filter we have is to not be safe. How can we stretch, grow and experiment?

Our competition is not other churches. It is the NFL, the ML, the couch, and the lake. We have to create environments that distinguish themselves from the clutter.

“If content is king, context is God.” Gary Vaynerchuk

Then comes the fun part. Brainstorming ideas. Executing a creative meeting.

Find creative ways to make your creative meetings…creative.

Use the 3 Doors method.
1st door – Large group comes prepared with a lot of ideas.
2nd door – Small team with a lot of trust. Ideas are edited and fleshed out.
3rd door – Pitch ideas to communicators.

Don’t be safe. Be original. Try to challenge the systems in your space.

And always think through the 5 different venues you have to present a concept. How can you present a concept from stage, in print, on web, through social, and virally?

Faking Your Way to Creativity

{Notes from Carlos Whittaker’s Talk at Echo}

There is no creative class.

Myth: In order to be creative you have to have a Mac and shop at Urban Outfitters.

It is the mindset that matters. Everyone on the planet was created on in the image of the Creator.

We can’t let our preconceived notions of what creativity prevent us from creating.

Everything is a remix. Nothing is original. << It’s Truth…from Ecclesiastes 1.

Check out these references:

Blog Post: “How to Steal Like an Artist. 9 Things Nobody Ever Told Me.”- Austin Kleon 

Video: “Everything is a Remix”

Video: “The Greatest Gift”

I don’t know much about what this fall, next month, or even next week but I do know that I am going to “Be Present” at the Catalyst Conference in Atlanta this fall. It’s happening October 5-7 at the Gwinnett Arena and includes high-octane speakers, powerful worship, and an experience unlike any other.

Truly, it’s unlike anything you have ever seen or done.

Join me and learn from leadership authorities including Andy Stanley, Jim Collins, Francis Chan, David Platt, Priscilla Shirer, Mark Driscoll, Dave Ramsey and Judah Smith, along with several innovative thinkers and practitioners like Princeton professor Dr. Cornel West, TOMS Shoes founder Blake Mycoskie, Global Soap Project founder Derreck Kayongo, Hillsong United visionary Joel Houston, Barna Research President David Kinnaman, and adoptive mother of 13 Katie Davis.

Be sure to register for the Catalyst Labs so you don’t miss Michael Hyatt (Thomas Nelson Chairman of the Board and my former boss), Reggie Joiner, Mark Batterson, Pete Wilson (my pastor who is real, authentic and rocks quite “a do”), Tim Elmore, Scot McKnight, Margaret Feinberg, Bob Goff (the whimsy master and probably my favorite person to follow on Twitter), Mike Foster, David Kinnaman, Mary Graham (one of my very favorite women of faith), Samuel Rodriguez, Jon Acuff, Lecrae, Jo Saxton and Vicky Beeching (two of my favorite Brits), Eugene Cho, Lysa Terkeurst and others.

Best Rates on Catalyst tickets end on Thursday, June 23rd, so register now. Call 888.334.6569 to speak to a Catalyst Concierge, or register online at www.catalystconference.com. Use Rate Code FOB and receive a ticket price of $199 (savings of $120 off regular prices).

Catalyst will sell out, so make sure and register early!

Here’s the preview video:

Catalyst Atlanta 2011 {Be Present} Preview from Catalyst on Vimeo.

Okay, who’s in?

You probably know this already but I grew up in Texas. In Dallas, Texas to be exact. And yes, I am one of those obnoxious people that truly believes that things are ALWAYS bigger and OFTEN TIMES better in Texas – cases in point: the state fair, hair, food portions, and even churches.

This year one of my favorite things is coming to Dallas for the first time.

May 11 – 13 the Catalyst Conference will be in Dallas. Attend and you can hear from leadership authorities including Andy Stanley, Matt Chandler, David Platt, Christine Caine, Donald Miller and Craig Groeschel , along with several innovative thinkers and practitioners like hip hop legend Rev Run, best-selling author Scott Belsky, International Justice Mission founder Gary Haugen, long-time activist Dr. John Perkins, ESPY winner Scotty Smiley, and charity: water founder Scott Harrison.

And be sure to get there on Wednesday to catch Catalyst Labs featuring innovative thought leaders like Michael Hyatt (my extraordinary boss and Thomas Nelson CEO), Mark Batterson, Scot McKnight, Mike Foster, David Kinnaman, Samuel Rodriguez, Esther Havens, Shaun King, Anne Jackson, Gayle Haggard, Jon Acuff, Lecrae, Margaret Feinberg, Chris Seay, Vicky Beeching, Eugene Cho and others.

Catalyst Dallas 2011 Preview from Catalyst on Vimeo.

The early bird deadline for registration is THIS THURSDAY so be sure to register before then. Oh, and you can use the RATE CODE FOB and save an additional 15% off your ticket prices.

What’s your favorite thing about Texas?

Mine: Easy. The food. Tex-Mex, hamburgers, chicken fried whatever…it all tastes better in Texas.

There are SO MANY conferences these days…blogging conferences, “get your creative juices flowing” conferences, leadership conferences, womens conferences, church conferences, “talk about changing the world” conferences. Seems like every time I turn around there is a new one launching that peaks my interest. And then there are the “old faithfuls” that I feel compelled to attend year-after-year.

It is so difficult to choose. But I must be intentional and choose the handful that make the most sense for me professionally. (Conferences where I represent Thomas Nelson, conferences where I can connect with like-minded individuals, conferences where I learn about technology and how it is changing our lives and our business, and conferences where I am inspired to think differently.) And then I must look at what conferences have sparked my personal interests.

Anywho, these are the ones that are on my radar for the first half of 2011…

Re:create Arts Conference – (February 7-10, Franklin, Tennessee) Re:create began as a dream by Randy Elrod in 1998. He longed for a conference where like-minded creatives could gather for a time of refreshment, encouragement and diffusion of ideas. This year speakers include Michael Hyatt, Patsy Clairmont, Ken Davis, and Dan Cathy. This years artists include Ed Kowalcyzk (of the band Live), Andrew Peterson, and Matt Maher.

Idea Camp: Orphan Hope - (February 25-26, Northwest Arkansas) The issue of the orphan and our call as Christians to care for them has been on my heart since Catalyst did the 143million.org project last year. I want to dig deeper, learn more, and figure out how I can help. That is why I am hoping to make it Arkansas (of all places) for Idea Camp: Orphan Hope.

Catalyst West - (March 2-4, Irvine, California) I love all things Catalyst, but I have to admit Catalyst West is my favorite Catalyst event. Set in usually sunny Southern California, the event which sells out at 3,500 is more intimate than their fall Atlanta extravaganza. It is a great place to connect and get inspired. This year’s line-up is killer. I can’t wait to hear from Britt Merrick, Jack Dorsey, Matt Chandler, Soledad O’Brien, and many others.

SXSW Interactive – (March 11-15, Austin, Texas) How do you say no to five days of good ol’ Austin goodness, compelling presentations from the brightest minds in emerging technology, scores of exciting networking events hosted by industry leaders, the incredible new SXSW Trade Show and an unbeatable lineup of special programs showcasing the best new digital works, video games and innovative ideas the international community has to offer? You don’t.

Q Ideas – (April 27-29, Portland, Oregon) Q was created by Gabe Lyons as a place where church and cultural leaders could come together to collaborate and explore ideas about how the Gospel can be expressed within our cultural context. It is a conference where influencers gather and share ideas. It is a conference that can truly change the world.

What conferences are you thinking of attending in 2011?

PS – Speaking of conferences, this weekend I am headed to Birmingham to meet-up with some friends and Compassion Bloggers and attend Deeper Still. Let me know if you will be there, I’d love to connect!