0
Catalyst Report: Day One
Posted by Brian
on
7:34 PM
Catalyst is one of those conferences that probably couldn't happen anywhere but in America. Over 11,000 people paid on average $200 each to attend. This isn't all that bad for a two-day conference, but when you add the merchandise for sale (books, DVDs, music, t-shirts), cost of transportation, hotels and food, it becomes a pretty pricey proposition. If you've been there before, you'll know their use of technology (sounds, lights and video) is off the hook - to use the vernacular - and that's a good thing. It only enhances the overall experience. When I get home I'll post some video I shot of one of the worship sets.
As in other years, I have struggled with the materialism of the whole affair. Dave Ramsey (Financial Peace University and syndicated Radio personality) is a huge presence this year, but so are several other vendors selling thousands of dollars of resources - credit cards gladly accepted. Every one is giving away lots of free stuff, along with chances to win iPods or an iMacs. People were almost tackling each other to catch t-shirts fired by cannon into the crowd. Ramsey even had a small radio-controlled blimp flying around the arena, dropping coupons that could be turned in for the chance to win more Apple stuff. Only in America.
On the plus side, the teaching and worship have been awesome. Andy Stanley preached from John 13, asking the question, "What do you do when it dawns on you that you are the most powerful person in the room?" Most pastors and leaders tend to abuse the power, twisting it for their own aggrandisement. Jesus humbles himself and washes his disciples feet, commanding us to do the same. Francis Chan spoke simply, eloquently and honestly on his struggles with pastoring a "successful" church when he frankly didn't love Jesus or his people as he should. Rick Warren was a little less inspiring, choosing to pretty much "wing it" with sound bytes from his Purpose Driven material. I noticed a real difference from the first time I heard him speak several years ago, and it was kind of sad.
Tomorrow we're looking forward to Erwin McManus, Tim Sanders and Andy Stanley before we hit the road around 4 for the long drive back to Lewisburg, PA to see our girls and my folks.
|
As in other years, I have struggled with the materialism of the whole affair. Dave Ramsey (Financial Peace University and syndicated Radio personality) is a huge presence this year, but so are several other vendors selling thousands of dollars of resources - credit cards gladly accepted. Every one is giving away lots of free stuff, along with chances to win iPods or an iMacs. People were almost tackling each other to catch t-shirts fired by cannon into the crowd. Ramsey even had a small radio-controlled blimp flying around the arena, dropping coupons that could be turned in for the chance to win more Apple stuff. Only in America.
On the plus side, the teaching and worship have been awesome. Andy Stanley preached from John 13, asking the question, "What do you do when it dawns on you that you are the most powerful person in the room?" Most pastors and leaders tend to abuse the power, twisting it for their own aggrandisement. Jesus humbles himself and washes his disciples feet, commanding us to do the same. Francis Chan spoke simply, eloquently and honestly on his struggles with pastoring a "successful" church when he frankly didn't love Jesus or his people as he should. Rick Warren was a little less inspiring, choosing to pretty much "wing it" with sound bytes from his Purpose Driven material. I noticed a real difference from the first time I heard him speak several years ago, and it was kind of sad.
Tomorrow we're looking forward to Erwin McManus, Tim Sanders and Andy Stanley before we hit the road around 4 for the long drive back to Lewisburg, PA to see our girls and my folks.
|
Posts
