Long before being known for StoryBrand, Donald Miller was known for his bestseller, Blue Like Jazz. Here’s my notes from his 2005 talk at Catalyst.
We set a new world-record with Guinness for the most people sitting on whoopee cushions at the same time (9,000). Then Donald Miller came out.
HANDS-DOWN THE BEST SPEAKER AT CATALYST PERIOD.
Seriously, I had reservations walking into the conference about Miller based on his stream-of-consciousness writing style, but he was not only the funniest speaker, but also revealed a tender heart of genius. I'm getting all his books now.
Donald Miller - "I don't have a title for my talk."
1925 - the Scopes/Monkey Trial was a defining moment for Jesus followers. The Church shrunk away from reaching our country at that point and began building walls - "Us versus Them" mentality. Church begins building Christian universities, schools, book publishers, music companies - the Christian Culture begins. Example: First building at Wheaton College is a tall, ivory-looking building that keeps out the outside world. Stone inscription on it says it was built in 1927.
"We even have our own Christian fast-food; it's called Chik-fil-a."
"We have built our own Salt Lake City and franchised it as the suburbs."
"Are you surrounded by people who just validate your opinions?"
Paradigm shifts must occur in the Church.
1. Other People Exist. "I'm in a movie about me. I'll prove it to you - when I walk offstage, my movie follows me and continues. You think you are in a movie about you. But you're wrong. You are all just stage extras in a movie about me!" Hilarious. "We get worked up if we have to be delayed or cut off by a driver ahead of us. If we don't get cheap crap fast, we get frustrated!"
2. Nobody will listen to you unless they know you like them. The question everyone is asking is, "Am I loveable?" We all seek validation - we put hot models on t.v. wearing certain fashions that we then run out and buy and wear so that we feel validated.
We were validated in the Garden of Eden. We felt so loved & validated that we walked around the Garden naked. We didn't worry about what other people thought of us. That doesn't happen today. When I walk around naked, that's all I think about - me being naked. It's not like I can forget. I don't go to the grocery store and walk up to pay the cashier and go, 'Oops, I forgot my wallet - HEY!?"
Our jobs as pastors is to take God to the wound people have. Period.