I was so blessed to receive 2 free tickets to the Catalyst Conference that was at the Gwinnett Arena last week – thanks Margaret Feinberg – you gave me a gift that truly was priceless. Let me explain.
I think it is very possible that I was the most theologically liberal person at the conference. In fact, I left Friday when we were dismissed for lunch, because I was afraid if I stayed any longer I would stand up in the midst of the 12,000 people gathered there and scream, at the top of my lungs, “YOU ARE TOTALLY MISSING THE ENTIRE POINT OF THE GOSPEL!” I should add that I went to Catalyst completely knowing what to expect. I knew the theology would irk me, and I knew I needed to take my “Lutheran filter” with me. I guess my Lutheran filter is like any filter – it can only filter so much before it no longer works. I think of the carbon water filter in my coffee pot … once it has filtered all the water it can, it no longer filters and instead just makes the water dirtier. I digress a little – but I felt if I stayed any longer, my Lutheran filter would just become crusty and no longer do its job properly.
Having said that, the conference was incredible. Wednesday I participated in several of the labs and was able to hear Reggie Joiner (he founded Kidstuf at Northpoint/Buckhead/Browns Bridge), Catherine Falsani, John Burke (author of “No Perfect People Allowed), and I got to meet (and hug) Margaret Feinberg. This was probably my favorite day – I felt like the speakers were a little more forward thinking, and began to push the edges of the box a little bit. Thursday and Friday speakers included Andy Stanley, Jim Collins, Dave Ramsey, Steven Furtick, Franklin Graham (son of Billy Graham), William P. Young, and Seth Godin, among others. I don’t know that there is any other conference in the enter nation that brings together so many different kinds of leaders all in one place. I can deal with the Lutheran filter getting full for that kind of experience.
In staff meeting today, as I reported on my experience, I said that if we combined Lutheran theology with the creativity that was in the Gwinnett Arena last week for Catalyst, we could completely change the world. These people are doing incredible things in their churches – incredibly innovative ministries. They are doing their best to reach the unchurched and the dechurched, and many of them are doing an excellent job at it. We Lutherans have a lot to learn from the more creative churches. I believe that the Lutheran traditions we hold so dear have gotten in the way of helping people truly experience the presence of God in the world around us.
The theme of the conference was “Together” … it made me reflect on what it would mean for the world if the church (the whole church, not just individual congregations) focused on what it really means to be followers of Christ. It’s about more than just our salvation … it’s about the understanding that God loves each one of us the same – so much more abundantly than we can ever imagine. It’s about knowing that Jesus died for our sins … that we are sinner and saint all at the same time because of Jesus. That we will not ever be able to achieve perfection – that we will always fall short. “Becoming Christian” doesn’t put us in any better position than any other person out there. What it does, is give me hope. Hope in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Enough ramblings. It was a thoughtful experience. I’m making a list of blog topics – most will probably be on the other blog, so keep your eyes open 
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[...] she is one of the most genuine people I have ever met. I’ve only met her once – at Catalyst 2008. She graciously gave me some of her comp tickets (I have Twitter to thank for that connection.) I [...]