Monday, October 23, 2006

First Two Catalyst Speakers & Thoughts

Andy Stanley: Andy is a pastor of a small church in Atlanta called North Point (not really- it his huge). Andy is very talented communicator who brought the junk with his talk at Catalyst. He spoke on Daniel 4 and this statement repeated again and again - "...the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes."

Main Points:
*Leadership is temporary. At the end of the day God is the only thing left standing.
* Christian leaders ought to reek with humility
* God is sovereign!


Marcus Buckingham: Marcus is a very successful business man, author, consultant, and speaker. His latest book "The One Thing You Need to Know" focuses on the idea not to work on making your weaknesses better, but strengthening your strengths! Crazy idea. But this goes against our whole society. Society says we must be "well rounded". We live in a society that is remedial in everything we do. Why? Because we focus on being "well rounded".
Three Myths:
Myth #1
As you grow your personality changes--66% believe that. Not true. As you grow you become more and more of who you really are! "We're all a wee bit insecure about some part of our personality."
"Therapy is the price you pay for helping your kids know they are wrong."
"You show me a good loser and I'll show you a loser."
Myth #2
You'll grow the most by working on your weaknesses. We focus on our weak subjects in school. You can't ignore the "D." But that isn't where you'll grow. Weaknesses are areas of least opportunity. Study what your bad at and you get not bad!
Myth #3
What the team needs is for you chip in and do whatever is needed by the team. What the team needs the most if for you to identify your strengths and volunteer to use them. What the team needs isn't a vague willingness to do whatever it takes. Take a stand for your strengths!
*Don't be well-rounded.
Personally this was one of my favorite speakers. This is an area I personally needed to grow. I am good at a lot of things, great at none. This is definitely important in the church. The body of Christ is made up of so many parts and talents. We need people to discover their passions and gifts, and run at the world not well rounded - GREAT at what God has blessed them with...strengths!

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