Amanda Pelser… Ramblings of a Communications Director …

I had so been looking forward to this keynote!  Mark Batterson is the pastor at Nation Community Church in Washington, DC.

• A mind stretched by a new idea never returns to its original shape.  – Oliver Wendall Holmes

As Jesus was getting ready to send his followers out he told them to be shrewd as snakes and innocent as doves.  See Matthew 10:16.

• Tension between being shrewd as snakes and innocent as doves.
• Truth is found in tension.
• If you’re not experiencing tension, maybe you’re not very close to the truth.

Being Innocent as Doves

• Our motives need to be right.
• It’s easy to get “good” and forget why you’re doing it.
• Find a way to periodically check yourself.
• Mark has a picture of the cow pasture where God called him into ministry behind his desk as a reminder of why he is doing what he’s doing.

Being Shrewd as Snakes

• Genesis 3 – The serpent was was the shrewdest of all creatures.
• Outwit your enemy – be better than Satan.
• Most of us have not been trained to exegete culture.
• Contextual intelligence – See something that has nothing to do with what you’re doing and finding a way to redeem it for your purposes.
• Jesus didn’t tell us how to go into the world; He just told us to go.

Equation #1

1% change = 99% difference

• Pay attention to the smallest little details.
• Shape > Color > Content
• Successful retailers know:

1. Many check out lines.
2. Make type big.
3. Greet each customer with hello.
4. People walk to the right.
5. Hands are at 3 ft.
6. and more.

• What are we doing in the church to use these concepts and more?
• The greatest message deserves the greatest marketing.
• We are fostering spiritual co-dependance in the church.
• NCC is doing a series through the whole Bible next year.
• Jesus asked the Father what to say and how to say it.

Equation #2

Change of Pace + Change of Place = A Change of Perspective

• If routine becomes routine, you need to change the routine.
• You need the ability to confuse people.  Do something to interrupt people’s routine to engage them.
• One God Idea is Greater than a Thousand Good Ideas
• It can be tough to discern the difference between a good idea and a God idea.
• One God idea will change your life.
• 2 Corinthians 10:5 – Take every thought captive.
• Take captive the God idea and nurture it, protect it; give it blood, sweat and tears.
• You can do nothing wrong and still do nothing right.
• What has God put on your heart that you’ve pushed down?
• What has God put on your heart that you don’t even dare speak?