Live Blog From Catalyst ’18 – 52 Leadership Quotes And Lessons From Andy Stanley’s Opening Session

For the next two days, INJOY Stewardship Solutions has dispatched me to Catalyst ’18 in Atlanta.  Catalyst is a 2-day experience to help leaders build great churches, grow strong teams, and be a catalyst for change.  This year’s theme is Fully Alive and is based on what the Bible says in John 10:10 – “The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy; I have come that you might have life and have it to the full.”

In addition to the content provided, the team at INJOY Stewardship would like to offer you a FREE gift.  As you know, October is Pastor Appreciation Month.  Simply click HERE or on the image provided and download a done-for-you script which you can read in your services to honor your pastor and staff.  Being a pastor can be challenging to say the least.  These words will honor and encourage your pastor and rally your congregation to a standing ovation.  Don’t believe me?  Click HERE.

The event kicked off in its customary fashion with Andy Stanley.  He founded Atlanta-based North Point Ministries in 1995. Today, NPM consists of six churches in the Atlanta area and a network of more than 50 churches around the globe that collectively serve nearly 90,000 people weekly.  Much of his content was from his new book Irresistible: Reclaiming The New That Jesus Unleashed For The World.

The following are 52 leadership quotes and lessons from his opening session:

1. You will remain fully alive if you ignore the imposter shepherds and keep pace with the Good Shepherd. Otherwise you will get distracted.
2. He is not the only shepherd. There are imposters.
3. The imposter always wants something from the sheep, not for them.
4. The imposters can steal your passion, kill your vision, and destroy your reputation.
5. At the end of the day we cannot give people what we do not have.
6. The imposter shepherd I am most inclined to follow is certainty.
7. Certainty is not my shepherd. It is not your shepherd either.
8. I don’t have to have everything figured out before I lead out.
9. The quest for certainty is draining and will steal life.
10. If you wait to be certain, you may never do anything.
11. I have not been called to be certain. I have been called to be loved.
12. Love transcends my wisdom and knowledge.
13. It’s OK not to know and be wrong but it’s never OK not to love.
14. You will never be fully-alive following your insecurity.
15. Insecurity will eventually lead you to dishonesty which will erode your influence.
16. God uses insecure leaders. You just can’t allow insecurity to be your shepherd.
17. I will not lie to myself even when the truth makes me feel bad about myself.
18. There is something worse than feeling bad about yourself. That’s lying to yourself.
19. Lying to yourself puts insecurity on the throne of your life.
20. Why am I doing this really? This is when you begin to quit lying to yourself.
21. Insecurity does not disqualify you.
22. Insecurities does not define us or guide us.
23. So much of the church world is envy.
24. You can’t see envy in the mirror.
25. Envy will lead you to do what everyone else is doing. But you will be late and probably not any good at it.
26. Envy is fueled by comparison. Social media has made comparison hard to avoid.
27. Everyone I’m competing with becomes my shepherd.
28. There is no win in comparison.
29. You will end up arrogant or depressed based upon things you have no control over.
30. You will chase someone else’s dream and it is exhausting.
31. You have lead with an open mind.
32. Uncertainty is what gives leaders job. Uncertainty gives you job security.
33. Be curious.Follow the other team.  Listen to outsiders.  Avoid confirmation bias.  Be a student first and a critic second.
34. All truth is God’s truth.
35. We should be the most curious people in the world.
36. You have to be wide open to new things and new ideas and you do not need to fear.
37. The next generation church will be birthed by the next generation.
38. The moment I close my mind I have decided I will become a critic, not a student.
39. Close-minded leaders close minds.
40. You have to lead with open hands.
41. “A person can receive only what is given them from Heaven.”
42. We are stewards.We are not owners.
43. You do not have people, staff, anything. The moment you think you do you will lose life and lost the potential you can give life away.
44. You always start with open hands because you got nothing.
45. You have to lead with an open heart.
46. Many have a hard time following Jesus because they can’t stop following their heart.
47. If anyone close to you even hints you might have an anger issue, you do.
48. Nothing has destroyed more ministry than what has been going on in the heart of the leader.
49. You can’t hear the voice of the Good Shepherd when you’re angry.
50. You can’t hear the voice of the Good Shepherd if you’re comparing.
51. The most important thing in the world is your personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
52. You’ve (Jesus) called me to lead Your church so what else can I do but surrender… Please lead me and help me lead well.

Catalyst got off to an incredible start!  It should be an amazing two days!

Once again, I want to make it easy to honor your pastor this month.  Click HERE or on the image provided and download this done-for-you script.  Your Board chair or congregational leader can read it in the service.  Trust me, few things will honor your pastor more.