Together: Reflections on Catalyst 08
Image by Avery Nesbitt
First off, I’m thoroughly exhausted. Doubt it even scratches the surface of how tired the Catalyst team is right now. It has been not only a busy few days, but a busy few weeks in general as we’ve been moving toward the conference. I wanted to try and muster up at least a small amount of mental energy to get some initial thoughts down today before I crashed for the rest of the weekend. I’m sure my post-conference thoughts will continue to leak out over the next couple of weeks.
Catalyst is unique. It is more than an event or a conference. Nowhere else do I know a place where over 12,000 next generation leaders come together on this scale. It is fun. It is crazy. It is reflective. It is inspiring. It is challenging. It is fresh.
It is a chance to see old friends and meet new ones. It is a place where things God has been prompting in us receive renewed energy and a place where new ideas and dreams are birthed.
For me this year was a place of deep connection.
We had 10 people staying at our home for the last several days. Some were family. Some were old friends. Some were acquaintances. And some were strangers.
We listened together. Shared the ‘awakening’ moments with each other as the Holy Spirit stirred within our hearts. Laughed together. Worshipped together. Prayed together.
We would eat together at night and connect deeper with one another. Late night conversations, new friendships formed, old friendships deepened.
I find that I crave community like this. I enjoy having people in my living room and Catalyst, if nothing else, has made me want to pursue that even more.
So, while I’m exhausted I am also deeply satisfied at the ‘togetherness’ that Catalyst brought in my life this week.
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Chris shared their voice on 10.13.2008:
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What Are Thin Places?
"Thin Places" are rich in Celtic tradition. They are the places in our lives where the divine and the natural worlds come so close together that we can catch a glimpse of God. For the Celtics these places were very real - places within creation where we could physically go. The Thin Places in our own lives are those moments where the space between us & the Kingdom is thin, when we are introduced to a greater glimpse of Who He is through our experiences and through the stories of others.
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drew tufano shared their voice on 10.13.2008:
great site, chris! i’ve really enjoyed reading your blog. catalyst backstage was a great resource for those of us who couldn’t make it to catalyst in person. it’s extremely encouraging to see you using your technical giftings for His glory!