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!

Today I am featuring a guest post from my friend Greg Darley. Greg is a young go-getter. A few years ago he started BackStage Leadership, a coaching network that let’s you get behind-the-scenes with some of today’s most influential church leaders. This month he is releasing his first book, Passion is Not Enough. Here’s a quote from the book:

“Good intentions don’t change the world. Ideas alone will change nothing. Desires don’t feed the hungry. Ambition won’t stop injustice. Enthusiasm alone will not reach the lost. Wishing changes nothing. To change the world, we must have more than passion.”

You can read Greg’s blog here.

And follow him on twitter here.

In my research for Passion is Not Enough, I discovered something that I know I will be thankful I learned early—most people that change the world never make the news. I don’t have a scientific study to backup this fact, but its still true. For every person you see on the news making a huge impact in the world (i.e. Bill Gates donating millions of dollars to a charity), there are tens of thousands of others doing work that’s just as important.

Most of them are quietly going about their lives, making a difference where they can. They don’t have fancy websites or worldwide ministries. They help how they can when they can. These are the people serving at soup kitchens or tutoring kids after school. These people clean up neighborhood parks and help a friend who’s sick. They may not be raising millions of dollars, but its still amazing work.

The great majority of them don’t even worry about making the news either. They don’t work for the publicity or notoriety. They don’t need to make the front page for their work. Most world changers never make the news–and that’s ok by them.

Some questions to consider:

·      Will I keep pursuing that vision even if I don’t get the attention I probably deserve?

·      Will you write that book if only 100 people buy it?

·      Will you stay with that church plant when only 20 people show up?

·      Will you work at that after-school program that affects just 3 students?

We all want recognition.  We want to know that the work we do impacts people. We all want the pat on the back.  This is normal. But, for those that are seeking to change the world, you need to realize that you may never receive the credit you deserve.  It’s better to know that going in than getting frustrated in the process.

A quick side note.  Take some time today to encourage those that are changing the world and don’t get the recognition they deserve.  Send a thank you note, an email, or a quick text to someone that’s impacted you.  That encouragement could be the thing that keeps them working.

Greg has generously offered a special discount, 20% off Passion is Not Enough, for this week only for my blog readers. Simply use the coupon code “Lindsey20″ at checkout.

My first Catalyst experience was at Catalyst One Day in the spring of 2009. I obviously enjoyed it, as I have now been to 3 of their other events. Below is a post I wrote about that experience, “Making An Investment in Myself.”

Last Thursday, I attended Catalyst One Day with some folks from Cross Point. I was desperate to get out of the office, network, and have some professional leadership training. And Catalyst One Day was an investment I could afford to make in myself. And I am so glad I did!

Here are just a couple of reasons why:

1. I learned so much from Andy Stanley and Craig Groeschel. They both are excellent communicators.

The focus of the day was Momentum – something we all need to manufacture in these tough economic times. Here are just a few of the nuggets I walked away with:

• Momentum is NEVER triggered by tweaking something old. It is triggered by introducing something new.
• To reach more by doing less, you must focus on what no one else is doing — how can you reach the people that no one else is reaching? You must refuse to keep doing things based on false assumptions.
• Innovation is born out of limitation. Remember, if you have what you want, you might not see what you need.
• It is important to be more committed to your mission/vision than your tactics. “Don’t fall in love with a tactic and defend it forever. Instead decide once and for all if you are in market or not.” Seth Godin, The Dip
• Do the unthinkable. “If we got kicked out and the board brought in a new CEO, what would he or she do? Why shouldn’t we walk out the door, come back in, and do it ourselves?” Andy Grove, Only the Paranoid Survive

2. I had a wonderful time interacting with new friends. I love meeting new people, but I often get stuck in my comfort zone and don’t put myself out there. I made the trip with Jenni Catron, the Executive Director of Cross Point, and her little sister, Jessica. Our trip together was the perfect way to get to know them both on a deeper level.

Have you made any real investments in yourself lately?

If you live in Phoenix this might be just the opportunity for you…

Catalyst One Day is coming to Phoenix! Next Thursday, November 18 at Christ’s Church of the Valley in Phoenix, Arizona. Join Andy Stanley and Craig Groeschel for a one day leadership event focusing on the topic of Momentum. How to create it, how to sustain it, and how to implement systems and tactics in your organization that will fuel momentum on a continual basis. This practical leadership experience includes Q and A, dynamic worship and music, and a full day of practical insight from two of the principal voices on leadership in the Church today.

Visit www.catalystoneday.com to register to attend. Use special Rate Code ONEDAYAZ to receive a discounted ticket price of $99.

And Florida Folks, be sure to mark your calendars, there is a One Day for you in February…

Did you attend Catalyst last month? And come home feeling all warm, fuzzy and inspired? But quickly stash away your swag bag and your notes? Only to get immersed back into life as usual?

Or did something (finances, obligations, lack of vacation time) keep you at home? So you watched the seeminglingly-never-ending twitter feed and thought to yourself, “maybe next year?”

If so, you need to hear about a new initiative Catalyst is working on…Catalyst Connect.

Catalyst Connect from Catalyst on Vimeo.

Catalyst is creating intentional and strategic space for you to continue your leadership journey in relationships with those you already trust. Beginning in 2011, Catalyst will launch smaller, more intimate coaching huddles of ~5 other like minded leaders AND regional round table conversations of ~70 local leaders purposed towards facilitating conversation, collaboration, and long term leadership development. We will also encourage and support open source “meet ups” driven and championed by local Catalyst ambassadors. You are the Catalyst in your community, we want to support you and help connect you with other trusted leaders…

Pretty cool, huh?

I sure think so. I have been in one of the trial coaching huddles and it is has been one of the best things I have ever done. No lie, one of the best things I have ever done. I could go on and on about our coach, the group of people I huddle with, the invaluable (albeit painful at times) insight they offer. But I will save that for another post. Right now I want to talk about the meet ups.

On Thursday, November 4, Catalyst is having the official Catalyst Meetup Day. The hope is that we can connect with other local leaders and continue the conversation around “Tension.”

If you are in Nashville, hope you will come out and join us at 7 PM at Cantina Laredo (now, what is a meetup without table side guacamole and a margarita?) Click here for more information.

And for the non-Nashvillians, check out the meetup page to find or start a Catalyst meetup near you.

Do you struggle with taking conference experiences back to real life? If not, what have you done to make the learning, the inspiration, stick?

Really? Just for a minute? Painfully honest?

As much as I loved Catalyst…

I kind of hated it.

You see, I was sick. And I was tired. I was sick and tired of feeling sick and tired.

For three days people (speakers, friends, and practical strangers) poured into me. They spoke wisdom. They spoke truth. They spoke love.

I should have been overflowing with inspiration, but I felt empty. I should have been thankful for all the incredible friends surrounding me, but I felt alone. I should have been confident in how much I am growing, learning, stretching, but I felt insecure. Really freaking insecure. I should have been encouraged, energized, empowered, but I felt beat-down, drained, and oh-so-broken.

Could have. Would have. Should have. Never changed a thing.

Don’t be anxious about things; instead, pray. Pray about everything. He longs to hear your requests, so talk to God about your need and be thankful for what has come. And know that the peace of God (a peace that is beyond any and all of our human understanding) will stand watch over your hearts and minds in Jesus, the Liberating King.

Finally, brothers and sisters, fill your minds with beauty and with truth. Meditate on whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is good, whatever is virtuous and praiseworthy. Keep to the script: whatever you learned and received and heard and saw in me – do it – and the God of peace will walk with you. Philippians 4:6-9, The Voice

So I am going to try praying about it. Praying about everything. Praying for peace. And hopefully someday soon the peace will follow.

Anyone else battling this right now?

First off, let me apologize for completely disappearing for the last week or so. It was never my intention to be away so long. But man, Catalyst came with a big ‘ol bang and stole every ounce of my energy. Okay, that’s enough of that…

Last week I was in Atlanta, Georgia, for the Catalyst Conference. It was a complete whirlwind that stirred a lot of things, good and bad, inside of me. Candidly, I am still recovering and processing (if you’ve been around here before you know it takes me a long while to process). But I wanted to be sure to share My 10 Favorite Things About Catalyst 2010.

1. Digging deep with my Catalyst/3DM Coaching Group (Brian Wurzell, Bianca Juarez, coach extraordinaire Jo Saxton, Hillary DeMeo, and the “MIA” Kyle Zimmerman.) LOVE these people. So thankful that they are boldly speaking into this season of my life.

2. Learning from Francis Chan. The man truly is fired up about emulating the life of Jesus. Some might call him “radical” but it is clear he is just faithfully working to live out the word of God. He has me wondering if Jesus is truly more than my Savior, if He is my role model?

3. Joyfully belting out John Mark McMillan’s “How He Loves” with 13,000 of my closest friends. One of the best worship experiences of my life!

4. Learning from T.D. Jakes that we need to get on out of the “cor-ner.” That “people who play it safe are not leaders.” That “if you always do what you have always done, you will only be who you have always been.” That “you need to make yourself uncomfortable.”

5. Hearing John Ortberg. That man is one gifted communicator. His book, The Me I Want to Be, has profoundly affected the way I think. I am still processing a couple of things he said on grace.

“Transformation requires at least as much grace as salvation.”

“Grace is God doing anything in me that I can not do myself.”

6. Boohooing as I watched Jimmy (who broke my heart last year) meet his Compassion child.

7. Having Andy Stanley reframe the story of Jacob and Esau. I know this…I don’t want to trade my future, my calling, my legacy, for a “bowl of stew.”

8. Watching Michael Hyatt teach a roomful of eager participants about the importance of “Platform.” Such an engaging presentation…made me so proud to call him “boss.”

9. Debriefing at night with my Catalyst roomies Trish, Bianca, and Annie. And laughing so hard that I cry trying to figure out the techno-style-video-chat with Sarah and Keely.

10. Witnessing a human cannonball. I lie. Actually, I hated the human cannonball. All I could think about was how that poor man was going to die a gruesome death in front of 13,000 strangers. Thankfully he made it. This time.

Were you at Catalyst? What were your highlights? If not, what were you up to last week?