Well, I've finally resurfaced after trying to shake off my fatigue hangover from the weekend. D.J. and I rolled back into town from Atlanta at 4:30 a.m. on Saturday morning, and then it was straight into finalizing my talk for our church service this morning.
I wanted to add a few reflections from the final day of the Catalyst conference. On Friday we heard from another group of first-rate communicators, including Craig Groeschel, John Maxwell, Dave Ramsey, and Erwin McManus.
There are a couple of thoughts that stuck with me. First of all, when leadership guru John Maxwell was asked if there was one thing he could share with the crowd of 11,000 next-generation leaders, he offered this sage piece of advice about how to utilize our influence: "Intentionally add value to people everyday." This is similar to a compelling question put to me by my good friend, Brian Ellis, "When we spend time with people, are they better off for having been with us?" Something to think about...
The other lasting impression from the conference came from a riveting talk by Craig Groeschel. He admitted a sobering truth about himself that I too acknowledged to the congregation this morning. I am a practical atheist. Yes, I believe in God, but in practice, my life doesn't always reflect that belief in God. As I asked the crowd this morning, what would be different about my life if I really took God at His Word? How would it affect my prayer life? My private life? My future? Do I really believe God is in control? That He is actively involved in the life of His creation? I say I do. The Bible says He is. But, I wonder why my daily life doesn't always reflect what I profess to believe.
So, the question is, what do you do when you recognize that you have become a practical atheist? For the Christian, it requires confession--asking God to begin a new work in us. As Groeschel went on to say, we need God to disturb us, to challenge our thinking and our actions. In conclusion, he shared this prayer from Sir Francis Drake:
Disturb us, Lord, when we are too well-pleased with ourselves. When our dreams have come true. Because we have dreamed too little when we have arrived safely; because we have sailed too closely to shore.
I could fill a month's worth of blog posts with the other insights I gleaned from this conference. Suffice it to say, I would again challenge every Christian leader to attend next year's Catalyst conference. It will be a life-changing experience. (It has been for me.) I'll be there. Hope to see you there as well. 
UPDATE: I forgot to mention one of the other highlights from the last day of Catalyst--breaking another Guinness World Record. This time we broke the record for...breaking records. Hearing 11,000 records breaking had a nice ring to it. If I remember right, I think mine was an old Kenny Rogers 45. Good times!!! This world record breaking business is hard work. Now, I may have to actually go buy a copy of Guiness World Book of Records to keep for my progeny my hallowed place in history. :)
do you really know what the definition of an atheist is. How can you say that you are a Christian and practice atheism. I am really concerned about that. in one breathe you say you are a Christian but then say because you don't always act like a Christian doesn't mean you are an atheist. an atheist is someone who states that they don't even believe God exist.
Posted by: concerned member of Light and life | October 08, 2007 at 02:11 PM
Concerned member. I'm thinking he was using "practical atheist" as a figure of speech, using the word practical vs. literal. I'm sure you can lower your concern and focus more on the point of the message, rather than the title.
Posted by: andy | October 08, 2007 at 04:44 PM
I think what John is trying to say is that he is a Christian, but sometimes he LOOKS like an atheist because his actions don't always jive with his beliefs. He is definitely not an atheist.
Posted by: Mandy | October 08, 2007 at 04:46 PM
Dear Concerned, I would be more than happy to clarify any concerns you have about my comments in yesterday's sermon. But, I'm not inclined to address any anonymous comments posted on this blog. If you would like to email me at john at thedailydetour dot com, I'd be happy to dialogue with you about this. Thanks!
Posted by: John | October 08, 2007 at 04:55 PM
This got me wondering if there is such thing as a 'practical Christian' -- somebody who is an atheist but follows the basic tenets of the bible.
I could actually think of someone who fits this description. He, at least, follows the bible more than a lot of 'practial atheists' I know.
I wonder who god would take into heaven? (rhetorical)
Posted by: Resident Atheist | October 09, 2007 at 02:10 AM
Resident Atheist, you've raised a very compelling insight and a legitimate indictment of many Christians. Your questions go to the idea of faith vs. works in a person's life. Beliefs matter, but to your point, there is a corresponding relationship to how we live our lives as well. Many of us Christians think that as long as we believe in certain "creeds and criteria", it's "St. Peter, here I come!" But behaviors cannot be dismissed either, which was one of the primary themes in my talk Sunday.
It comes down to finding the balance between the thesis of Eph. 2:8-9 (accepting God's gift of salvation)and that of 1 John 3:16-19 (the corresponding expectation of serving others with our lives). Where's that proper balance between beliefs and behaviors? Only God knows with certainty. But, He's given us enough clues as to how we should believe and live that the path to eternal life is clearly marked for anyone willing to pursue it.
Posted by: John | October 09, 2007 at 11:39 AM