win my free ticket to Catalyst West

Hi DJ,

Three years ago I attended Catalyst in Atlanta with our team and the impact was immeasurable. It changed the way that we looked at everything from children's ministry to what music we used in adult worship. I still remember the feeling of being called to a higher level as a leader.

Being on the west coast, I've not been able to make it back to Atlanta, so I was thrilled when I found out about Catalyst West, and immediately put it on my calender. The economy, however, has forced our conference funds to be cut back, canceling my planned trip. But if I had a free ticket, I would pay for the gas myself and sleep on a buddy's couch, which I would gladly do!

I've been praying for a way to go, so thanks in advance for doing God's work!!!

Hey DJ,

I happen to be in town that week, to check out some church internship possibilities. For one of the possibilities, the key leaders are going to it, and *might* have a ticket for me, but they aren't sure at this point. It would be a great way for me to get to know them, and I hope to connect and network with people. Obviously if they can provide me a ticket, I'd pass this one back to you, or pass it forward.

Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to attend.

And it definitely seems like a great conference in its own right. It'd be great to catch up with you as well. I was planning on contacting you when I'm down there.

best,
drew

DJ – I have a free place to stay and a way to get to Irvine. . . I just don't have a ticket. I would love to go to Catalyst because I have never been and I think it could be an AMAZING opportunity to learn from all the different speakers whose books I sell yet rarely//never get to hear in person.

That and I am broke. :0

Great Youtube Video by Josh!

Thanks for all the comments so far! I gotta say, you are not making my job any easier. Now I'm second guessing myself and maybe I shoulda opted for a random drawing or a guess-the-number contest. But, what's written is written, or in this case, what's blogged is blogged.

At this moment, I'm definitely leaning towards someone who has never been to a Catalyst event. So, those of you who have already been to one, I'm going to have to graciously say thanks for the comment and maybe see you some other time some other place.

And, Josh, your video was incredible! What an effort! You know you can hang out with me any time, so you don't have to go to a conference to do that. Just give me a call and we can meetup and/or tweetup

DJ:

I've never been to a Catalyst, but having worked in/around a church for the previous two summers I've been mentored by and worked alongside many who spoke very highly of the networking/leadership events. A little bit about myself: I'm a senior (graduating in Dec. 09) World Religions major and Sociology minor at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CA. I grew up in Tyler, TX (in the belt-buckle of the Bible belt) where I attended a large United Methodist church my whole life.

I've been hurt by the church, and I'm not really sure who to blame. But I'm not ready to completely walk away from Her; I've tried that before and it didn't work out for me and it didn't work out for Her. I believe there is a generation of people rising up who are committed to breathing new life into what it means to be a leader and what it means to be part of the structures and the hierarchies of the Church.

I strive to invest myself daily in the future of the church. I'd love to attend Catalyst because I–one day–hope to start a church of my own, God willing. I want to know what it means to be a leader in the 21st century. I want to know the proper role of technology and church. More importantly, I want to know how to 'build' a church without building an institution that abuses: instead I want to let the Triune God be the builder and sustainer of community because He is Community, and only through Him can we have community.

I believe Catalyst is the gateway to many practitioners and voices who are leading and hacking the way forward in this journey of redeeming the Church–a task that is too big for us to take on individually. I'd love the opportunity to learn from these lectures/seminars as well as experience the community of leadership going on at Catalyst and to be part of what Catalyst is birthing in the world.

Good luck with your decision,
Wes

I'm a church planter. A 'tent making' church planter at that. Which means not only do I have the work load of being a pastor, but I also am part of the work force and still the ends don't meet.

Doesn't leave any coin for catalyst, which I would love to check out.

Great to hear from so many church planters who want to do something more reach more people, and an event like Catalyst can certainly inspire, motivate, and provide leadership insights. I know I've only 1 ticket to give away, and perhaps someone out there would be generous to offer something too.

Wes, thank you for taking the time and thought to share your story. I am sympathetic to the hurts you've experienced in an institutional church. I believe we all have our bad church stories. And yet able to reconnect with God in a healing & restorative way, that you're preparing to be a church leader. Grateful for you!

And the winner is… BRETT CRIMMEL! Congratulations Brett! Thrilled to see how you've launched Forefront Church http://forefrontchurch.tv in Littleton, Colorado! Love seeing how your church is using social media on full tilt!