The Making of a Leader

We can do many things. But, we are made to do few. The Process is what Makes us unique. It defines us, shapes us, and reveals our calling. Beauty is revealed in the process, and influence is gained through the journey.

We are here. We desire to be there. As leaders, we all want to get there as quick as possible, yet we know that the process is what builds our character. It's what MAKES us who we are. There is no fabrication of influence. No skipping the essential steps. No fast-forwarding through the benchmark moments of clarity and wisdom gained. We must earn the right to be heard. Our story is being handcrafted through the process.

The Making of a Leader is about a long obedience in the same direction and being faithful to the process. It takes time, and there is no overnight formula or transformation. Right now God wants to define and refine who you are created to be, and what He's called you to do.

We're all in the process of being made.

Made to Make a Difference.

This is the Making of a leader.

Make.

Be sure to check out the speakers AND also to get your free download of 30 NEW songs.

What speaker are you most excited about hearing?

Catalyst Dallas was an amazing event. In case you didn't take awesome notes, we had a blogger taking notes for you! Kent Shaffer did a PHENOMENAL job summarizing the speaker's talks. Here are a few of the highlights from some of the speakers at Catalyst Dallas.

If you'd like to listen to all of the message, you can get all the audio from Catalyst Dallas here.

Andy Stanley on Being Accessible While Successful

3 Ways to Do for One What You Wish for Everyone

1. Go deep, rather than wide.
2. Go long-term, rather than short-term.
3. Go time, not just money.

Jon Acuff on Finding Your Identity

• If you want to wreck your ministry, attach your identity to your confidence. If you want to wreck your ministry, attach your identity to the size of your success.
• God is not surprised or disappointed at the size of your ministry.
• Don't attach your identity to anything but Christ.

Katie Davis on God's Love in Every Moment

Katie says adoption has taught her so much about the Father's heart. Adoption is an incredible way to look at a child that wasn't originally your own but love them as though they were your biological child. God is like that. He love you completely and makes you part of His family.

Jud Wilhite on the Roller Coaster of Ministry

3 Ways to Stay Grounded via 2 Corinthians 5

1. Do a gut check: are you being faithful and sincere?
2. Stay a little crazy for God. Ministry is about walking into a mess. Sometimes it is your mess. Sometimes it is someone else's mess. Ministry is messy because sin is messy. But your crazy for God is different from my crazy for God. Figure out how you need to be crazy.
3. Be compelled by Christ's love.

Matt Chandler on the Importance of Affection for Jesus Christ

Why We Struggle with Union With Christ

1. There is failure to stand with right standing in justification of salvation by grace alone through faith alone.
2. An aversion to suffering and struggle.
3. The failure to understand the doctrine of adoption.

All 3 of these really boil down to (1) Biblical illiteracy or (2) a failure to believe what the Bible says about you.

Nancy Duarte on How to Tell a Great Story

So how can we communicate the greatest story well?

1. Establish a likeable hero. I am not the hero; the audience is the hero. The presenter is to come alongside the hero and get them unstuck.
2. Encounter a roadblock.
3. Emerge transformed.

Main Stage speakers not included in this list:
John Maxwell
Kirk Franklin
Judah Smith
Perry Noble
Rudy Rasmus
Bob Goff

Did you take notes or blog at Catalyst Dallas? Link in the comments so we can read!

Photos by @scottawade @karicrowe & @sunnythomas, check them out!

This piece was created on Thursday, May 10th 2012 at Catalyst Dallas. Photographer Jeremy Cowart met houseless artist Donald Collins the day before after he saw Donald drawing people.

They decided to collaborate and create this piece together the next day.

All proceeds of this print will go to buy Donald new art supplies, including a new scanner to scan his drawings.

Don says "My art is what keeps me alive. I'm fighting for my life with my art."

Photos by @scottawade @karicrowe & @sunnythomas, check them out!