Oct
7
2011

Catalyst 2011: Day One Thoughts

An article by Matt

I just got back to my room after a VERY full day at Catalyst. I was pleasantly surprised by the speakers this year… this was probably one of the strongest days that I can remember over the last several years. If I had to sum up my takeaways from today’s speakers, I think the most impacting (for me) message came from Jim Collins and Dave Ramsey. They both said the same thing to me: know where you are going, plan out how you are going to get there, and stick to your plan.

I think that this is something that the church needs to hear over and over again. We so often find ourselves pursuing the shiny, instead of our vision, mission, and strategy for ministry. As soon as the current shiny thing loses some of its’ luster, we begin to chase the next shiny thing. This leads to what Jim Collins called the signature of mediocrity: chronic inconsistency.

I can go on and on with how Jim Collins rocked my world this morning, but I think that I will instead leave you with the ten point action plan that he left for each of us:

Use the Good to Great Diagnostic tool with your team (it’s free!).

Figure out how many key seats you have in your organization and then design a plan to fill ALL of them with exceptional people who fit the role.

Find a mentor (now!).

Determine what your personal hedgehog is.

Set a 20 mile march, and stick to it! The 20 mile march is the plan that you will put into place and consistantly stick to as you work towards your goals.

Navigate uncertainty by firing at least six bullets before firing a cannonball. Firing the bullets refers to testing things before committing to them with your big guns.

Turn off your gadgets at least two days, every two weeks. Our gadgets get in the way of our ability to be truly present, and totally focused.

Create a stop doing list.

Double your reach to people half your age by changing your practices… not your values.

Go out and make yourself useful! Set a huge goal that will make you incredibly useful… and do it!

Go and do likewise!

What grabbed you at Catalyst?

About the Author: Matt Steen

Over the last fifteen years I have been a Church Planter, Youth Pastor, Executive Pastor, and now I serve as a Church Concierge with churchsimple.net. I love Jesus, my wife, the Redskins and Capitals and am currently living on Long Island striving to properly pronounce the word G'island.