I was having lunch with a local minister who has been a great support to me while planting Catalyst and I asked him what were some of the best sermon series he had done. After just a little bit of thinking, he got this great big smile on his face and said, “You asked for it.”  I sat there waiting for an answer. . . and after just a second of strange silence he said that was the name of the sermon series.

Later in the month, Jonjo, Chris and I went to Park Springs camp for a few days to layout our sermon topics for the upcoming year.  We discussed what we thought God wanted His people at Catalyst to hear—where they might need challenged or what they might need to learn over the next year. I suggested “You Asked for It.” 

I thought it was a good idea, at the time…mostly because I wouldn’t have to come up with any of my own ideas. (kidding.)  But, now, as the series is about to kick off I am just now realizing how brilliant my friend’s idea really was.  As a pastor, I am always trying to keep my eye on the pulse of Catalyst so I can protect, educate, or push my “flock” where God wants them.  I prefer to keep things simple (no kidding, right?!?), so, how did I miss it?  If I want to know what our people need/want, why not just ask our people?!?

So, this summer, instead of trying to figure out where our people are spiritually, they are telling me.  Instead of guessing at what music excites our people, our folks are telling Jonjo what music really leads them to worship.  We expect this to be a great series—if it’s not, it’ll be your fault. (kidding, again.)

So what does a young congregation like Catalyst want to know about.  .  .  . things like heaven, spiritual warfare, why we worship, and sex.  So that should all flow together nicely(!)  (This seemed like a good idea back in the beginning…)  Maybe it won’t be as easy as I thought! Now I understand why my friend had a smile on his face.  Nevertheless, “You Asked for It,” so here it is…