What do you get when you bring together gum walls, skinny jeans, confetti, creepy mustache's on twenty-something’s, poetry, comedy, rock music, hipsters, rap music, any and all music really, Tenley from last seasons The Bachelor, time travel, 6 roach coaches and powerful speakers like Eugene Cho, Kay Warren, Mark Driscoll, Wes Stafford and Donald Miller, just to name a few?

Catalyst West Coast.

The two-day leadership conference came to a close yesterday afternoon as Andy Stanley taught leadership to the 3400 leaders present. He made comment like, "As leaders, you should be making as few decisions as possible" and "Only do what you can do." He also said "Leadership is about getting things done through other people."

Earlier in the day, Wess Stafford of Compassion International said, "I'm convinced the prayer of a child in poverty or in abuse is the most powerful force." Just before making that statement, he said something that really struck me. He said, "We may not be committing the sin of endangering a child, but we are committing the sin of omission by allowing a child to be endangered."

Erwin McManus talked about how Solomon got it wrong when he said "there is nothing new under the sun." Erwin said "God created us for originality; not just effectiveness. Everything God does is new. He is constantly creating the new. Only in the new do we find the beautiful. Live lives of story and meaning and create new beauty."

Earlier today I had the chance to team up with Ryan Axtell to really dive into the nuts and bolts of the evolution of the Acoustic Guitar for the Worship Leader. In this video, Ryan uncovers a new discovery of ours that we think could shape the culture of equipment for Worship Leaders, internationally. Have a listen and let me know your thoughts! This will also be featured on our Cornerstone Worship Arts Blog.

As I write I'm confused, perplexed, bewildered...you name it.  Before I go too far here, I admit from the start that this post is about me getting this out - not as much of a help to others.  However, maybe this venting will touch something within you for the good.

Vent: frankly, I'm pissed. 

As a pastor I'm supposed to be a spiritual leader.  This means I lead in spiritual things and have the spiritual health of people in mind in everything I do.  Frankly, I'm getting more and more ticked off with "spiritual leaders" who don't care about the spiritual health of people, but rather through actions seem to focus on everything but that.

I'm hearing more and more people say that they've never seen spiritual leaders actually help them focus on their true spiritual health.  Giving purely head knowledge, yes, hear that.  Putting on programs, yes, hear that.  Focusing on behavioral issues, yep, hear that too.  Giving funny messages, yes.  None of these things are bad in and of themselves, but focusing on purely spiritual issues and moving people toward pure spiritual health is too UNcommon in church leadership today.