This morning a church planter called from Catalyst. I could hear all the commotion behind him. Nobody creates the buzz at a conference as well as the Catalyst folks. Anyway he was asking if we were coming to Catalyst. Unfortunately the answer is no.

I wish we could. Our interns were able to hook up and work for someome so they got free tickets for the general conference. But money is pretty tight and our priorities were to make sure 1. that ministry does not suffer at WRC, and 2. that we meet our obligations to the missions/church plants that we have committed to.

We decided to be very strategic in our conference attendance this year. A couple of us are going to a practicum on Multi-Church next month. Some folks just got back from Sticky Conference on shutting the back door in CA. (but this was already paid for and the decision was made to go since the bills were paid except for food). ROI should be good. One of my co-workers used to work at Home Depot and he uses that kind of term a lot. So I thought it sounded cool.

Anyway a church has to set priorities. Priorities I would set as a lead pastor: Your first commitment is to your people. Never leave them high and dry. Your second commitment is to ministry. Your third is where you meet, unless you owe the bank for property, then you have to consider how to pay for the property. Your fourth is to outside organizations.

In these rough economic times, and in difficult times in my life this verse has seen me through, “There is no fear in love, perfect love casts out fear…” 1 John 4:18

Have no fear God will see us through even if I don’t get to go to Catalyst this year.