catalyst review::craig groeschel

Still reviewing Catalyst speakers. Yes, there were many. Today: Craig Groeschel. I'm a big Groeschel guy. His ministry has influenced me quite a bit. Remember the Miracles series at NewPointe? Groeschel. Boy-o-boy did he deliver the goods at Catalyst. Here are some of my notes:

Craig talked about being a practical atheist. Here's how he defined it: A practical atheist is someone who believes that God exists but lives as though he doesn't.

• We believe that God exists but we do ministry as though he doesn't.

The Lord says: "These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.

• Question to ask myself: is the way I'm doing the work of the God destroying the work of God in me?
• Groeschel: I had become a full-time pastor and a part-time follower of Christ.

We become practical atheists when we start to believe:

• Our effort is better than God's power.
• Our private life doesn't affect our public ministry.
• We must please people more than we must please God.

He said he used to find himself asking, "What can I preach that will bring people in?" rather than, "What can I preach that will bring glory to God?"

• We have a tendency to start with culture and then bring God's Word into it rather than starting with God's Word and bring it into the culture.
• Groeschel: I would lead people to Christ but I wasn't letting Christ lead me.

He closed by referencing a powerful prayer by Sir Francis Drake. Do yourself a favor and link to it here.