Our team from Vineyard Westside got home from the Catalyst Conference in Atlanta early yesterday. It was…refreshing…peaceful…scary…powerful…uncomfortable…confirming…affirming…draining…filling… and it was oh so needed.
When I was a wee lad, I would get into the bathtub and gradually turn the water from warm to as hot as I could possibly stand. The bathtub would become full and I would just lay back surrounded by the warmth. Once the water began to get cold. I would drain the water halfway down and then refill it with hot water again. I could do this for hours…especially in the winter months when all I wanted was to be enveloped by the opposite of the outside air. When I finally got out of the bathtub, my fingers and toes looked like the face of a Sharpei .
Those wrinkles happened to me at Catalyst. Unexpected by me as this was my third year attending, I found myself soaking in a warm bathtub filled with grace and the Peace of God was wrapping itself all around me. This was a bit of a surprise as I’ve found myself more and more cynical and skeptical lately. I don’t like a lot of Christians. I don’t like being a pastor sometimes…it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I don’t like the “Christian Culture Bubble” that I see so many people living in. I don’t like going to events where it’s “the coolest thing that will ever happen in your Christian life…”
I could have fought it. I could have denied the fact that maybe this was more than just a “Leadership Conference” and stayed the course just enough to remove a few leadership morsels to bring back to my church…but there was something more going on. God was in that place. His presence was thick in the room and I found myself weeping over and over as if the CD was stuck on repeat.
Andy Stanley (above) reminded me that as a leader, I am going to leave a mark. All leaders leave marks. The question is…what kind of mark will I leave?
From my notes:
- God is not someone who has been invited to play a role in MY story.
- God takes full responsibility for the life wholly devoted to Him.
- Living to make MY mark is far too small a thing worth giving my life for. I have to leave His mark.
Malcom Gladwell, author of Outliers: The Story of Success
Rob Bell, founding pastor of Mars Hill church in Grand Rapids MI – Creator of NOOMA DVDs
He made me cry.
Rob gave us a reminder that we need to enjoy the place where we are and the work that we’re doing.
I’m sure I’ll be unpacking more from my catalyst experience soon. Until then…there’s this guy.
Wow!
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my husband had a similar experience and made similar comments to yours about his time at C. he said that the vibe was very different; more introspective and that he enjoyed being with God for those 2 days.
can’t imagine why you didn’t meet up–doesn’t seem like there was a very big crowd…
share more when you unpack it!
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We were with a team in the Philippines, serving at a Jesus Revolution convergence (thousands of young people fasting and praying for three days for God to transform their country). Our small American team was brought on stage to stand as a representation of the US. While those thousands prayed for our nation, we landed on our knees, face to the floor. I heard God say, “I have given America the gift of leadership, but this should be their posture.” We don’t need more overconfident leaders…just fishermen willing to serve.
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Those are amazing pictures! Your experience sounds wonderful. It’s very refreshing to hear your honest thoughts about being a pastor. I can’t imagine how challenging that would be, especially in the world we live in right now. I don’t like a lot of christians either…even though I am one:) I could use an annointed God filled experience right about now. I love that warm bath tub presence you are talking about. Perfect analogy!
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Great pictures! Glad you had a great time. Man there were alot of people there!
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I can totally sympathise on the being cynical and not liking the “Christian types”. BUT I had let this affect me too much and I was beginning to fall away. It wasn’t until a series of really crappy events that I realised I needed God in my life. That HE is the only constant, not those around me. I haven’t cried so much in church in years! BUT HE is healing my heart and making me whole again. I’m so glad you were touched and in a way its comforting to know that I’m not the only cynic out there
Bless you heaps
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Thank you for the honesty you bring to us all. I had an experiance this week were I was finding myself disenchanted with many fellow Christians. God answered my prayers about this problem with the message that Christ went out among the people ALL people. Circles Ministies (#2) and their comment of “…fisherman willing to serve” tied it all up nicely for me. Ask Gods direction and it will be made clear.
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item two – God takes full responsibility for the life wholly devoted to Him – is a rama (I’m sure that’s NOT how you spell it) word for me today. thank you. Some days we feel that’s about all we have – a life seeking him and desiring His will, but still waiting for the path to be made straight, and the provision to be more predictable. But that’s not where He wants us, and we know that. It’s just a good reminder. So we stay on our knees (a good place to be), and trust Him to take full responsibility. thanks for sharing that, ryman.
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Ann had so many awesome stories to share about this experience. My favorite was about the guy from Africa. I only hope that I am able to attend one of these adventures with you guys some day. Thank you for being a great leader! You have definitely left your mark, and God’s, on my life already. Love you brother! Peace!
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OH MAN! I love Rob Bell! I traveled from VA to OHio and back this weekend and took copies of his sermons to listen to on the road. He just breaks the gospel down so simple. If you like him, you should also check out Ed Dobson who has spoke at Mars Hill a couple of times. Go to the Mars Hill site on ITunes and listen to Ed Dobson. He is soooo good. His website is http://livingjesusly.com/ . He has sermons to download there too.
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Aw man, if you’re going to take a nostril shot of me you gotta at least tell people about Advent Conspiracy and get ‘em to follow us on Twitter: advntconspiracy Other than that, it was great meeting and hanging with you and Matt. Let’s keep in touch!
Tony Biaggne
Advent Conspiracy
adventconspiracy.org
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In the scheme of ETERNITY…..as LOVERS OF JESUS…this place on Earth is OUR hell….this place on earth as we know it is “heaven” for those who deny JESUS and HIS BLOOD on the Cross. Thank you Ryan for your work, also your family is very beautiful!! Keep the FAITH!!
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I smiled when I read Andy Stanley’s name. I live in the Atlanta area, but admittedly am not a “regular” church goer – long story about that. Anyway – the times I do go to church, I go to North Point where Andy Stanley preaches. I don’t know what it is about that man, but I embarrass myself almost every time I go there. His sermons, or talks, are so simply-phrased and hit you right in the heart and/or gut – everytime. He is not preachy – he just talks to you. From the way you write, I envision that you deliver your message in much the same way. It is totally effective, and appreciated. I can’t stand being “preached at” – talk to me, the way Andy Stanley does, and I will listen to you for hours, and fortunately, understand it. I’m glad you had a good week in Atlanta – sounds like it was food for the soul.
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Sorry – Just to make myself understood – when I said in my earlier post up above that I embarrass myself almost everytime I attend North Point, it’s because Andy Stanley makes me cry. His message is so powerful and to the heart – he touches me so powerfully and unexpectedly. So, I end up crying.
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I too am wary of “this is the best thing that will happen in your Christian life” type of events. Volunteering with the technical crew at my former church was an eye-opener — the music, the sermon, everything was carefully structured to “engineer” an emotional response from the audience. I think it’s good to approach everything in the church, from a Sunday sermon to a large-scale event, with just a tad of skepticism. I don’t think it’s cynical to be able to make a distinction between what God is leading you to feel and what people behind the scenes are trying to get you to feel. And it’s not that I think most churches or church organizations are manipulative. It’s just good to know when God’s working and when he’s not. I’m glad He was with you at Catalyst.
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So here’s the deal…..It’s hard enough staying full (of God) when you are sitting in the congregation, attending classes….being on the recieving end of teachings. It is even more difficult when you are a leader. I can’t imagine being a pastor but I do know that as a small group leader I have a difficult time remaining “full” because I am doing the shepherding, the praying, the teaching. But who is caring for you, the pastor? Who is stopping and personally praying for you? Every time someone stops and takes the time to ask me how I’m doing and prays for me, in earnest, I am blessed.
I hope and pray that you are being cared for, taught, shepherded and that the feeling that you have today will be lasting.
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Glad you enjoyed it so much
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grow where you’re planted
shine your light whre you are
it’s amazing how much more people will trust a leader who is candid and honest. not ALL the dirty laundry mind you, but the RELEVANT dirty laundry.
God bless you Pastor Ryan.
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You take the most amazing photographs. You have to be one of my favorite photographers in the blogging/internet world.
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Great post man thanks
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You take amazing photos! Seriously I was getting dizzy from the height you were at just sitting at my desk!
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I had the privilege of being a member of Rob Bell’s church for a number of years, and he has a unique ability to put faith in a live-able light! His series on Song of Solomon completely changed my view of dating and my value as a woman! It got me through a tough breakup, and made me decide to reach for better. One year later, I married a man who loved me enough to ask for nothing in return, but was simply content to love. He did not push, he was not out to get, and I could recognize that because of what Rob described.
His teaching is relevant to whatever we are facing today! He shows the truth of what society crams down our throats and how we as Christians buy into it. It is suddenly very clear. I hope that ever person there had moments of perfect clarity!
God bless
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Man, I DO admire Rob Bell..we did all his NOOMA videos with our youth..they still joke about the ball that’s missing..Velvet Elvis is a fav book…sounds like an amazing experience. Good for you!
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I was at Catalyst in 2007, and I loved it! I wish I could have gone back this year. My husband has never been, and we’d like to try to go in a few years. Thanks for sharing the pictures and experience!
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