New Blog Site

My new blog is located at HERE!

Sorry if I lost some of you because it didn't automatically forward.

Consumed by the Call,
Marty Cauley

New Blog Site

My new blog is located at www.martycauley.org

Sorry if I lost some of you because it didn't automatically forward.

Consumed by the Call,
Marty Cauley

When Will the UMC Get It?

I believe one of my life callings is to help the UMC get it! That is, get how to leverage our amazing influence, locations, passion for social change, and evangelical roots to make a significant difference in our communities. One of the ways we COULD be doing that is through open source media and idea sharing facilitated by our denomination.

LifeChurch.TV was founded by a former UMC pastor, Craig Groeschel who left the denomination to plant a church. It is now, arguably, one of the most influential churches in America, rivaling Northpoint Community Church and Andy Stanley.

Below is their idea to help make Easter more visible online to the billions on the internet and engaged in social media. I think its time we took a lesson from churches like this and started reaching the next generation, one YOUTUBE video, on Twit, one Facebook message at a time! What would happen if UMCOM took a page from this book and asked every UMC blogger, Facebooker, and Twitter to share an extremely well done Igniting Ministry invitation to Easter worship? That is why I remain:

Consumed by the Call,

Marty Cauley

Cauley Impact Triangle



How do you increase the impact of every ministry event, class, or worship service? Here is a quick tool that I use in the design of curriculum and events that help me maintain balance. The goal is to engage each learner, worshipper, or participant at multiple levels of learning. I call it the Cauley Impact Triangle.

The first side is the learning side. This is where the ideas are conveyed and the information that is required to meet the pedagogical objectives are laid out. In determining the ideas it is important that communication methods be decided upon that engage the learners, worshippers, or learners at their level of understanding. It is worthless to convey information that cannot be understood.

The second side is the doing side, this is where ideas are combined with experience. The experience involves creating the proper communication environment, determining the actions that reinforce the ideas and then debriefing the experience to clarify the ideas communicated.

The final side is the being side, this is where information and experience come together and a challenge is offered that will allow for the ideas to be fully integrated for the learner, worshipper, or participant. With every idea that is incorporated into one’s life, their area choices that have to be made from that point forward. Those ideas can be integrated, ignored, or rejected. The being side of the impact triangle provides the opportunity for that decision to be actively, rather than passively, made.

Lastly, if all sides of the Cauley Impact Triangle are held in tension, the best outcome is a new way of living, or transformation, the center of the triangle. This is where all sides combine to form a holistic change in living. In this space the idea is understood, the experience clarifies, the challenge is accepted and the learner, worshipper, or participant can improve their personal outcomes.

First Love…A Modest Proposal

After hearing Jim Collins speak recently about the Hedgehog Principle, I have been reflecting almost constantly upon this simple concept and its value to faith based organizations. The Hedgehog Principle, to review, is:

The essential strategic difference between the good-to-great and comparison companies lay in two fundamental distinctions. First, the good-to-great companies founded their strategies on deep understanding along three key dimensions—what we came to call the three circles. Second, the good-to-great companies translated that understanding into a simple, crystalline concept that guided all their efforts—hence the term Hedgehog Concept.

More precisely, a Hedgehog Concept is a simple, crystalline concept that flows from deep understanding about the intersection of the following three circles:

1. What you can be the best in the world at (and, equally important, what you cannot be the best in the world at)? This discerning standard goes far beyond core competence. Just because you possess a core competence doesn’t necessarily mean you can be the best in the world at it. Conversely, what you can be the best at might not even be something in which you are currently engaged.

2. What drives your economic engine? All the good-to-great companies attained piercing insight into how to most effectively generate sustained and robust cash flow and profitability. In particular, they discovered the single denominator—profit per x—that had the greatest impact on their economics. (It would be cash flow per x in the social sector.)

3. What you are deeply passionate about?. The good-to-great companies focused on those activities that ignited their passion. The idea here is not to stimulate passion but to discover what makes you passionate.

(from Jim Collins' website)

How does this relate to work that is faith based? I believe that the reason so many faith based organizations, including the one I serve, are struggling is because they have lost their “hedgehog.” They have forgotten the one thing that can truly drive them, the central and most important reason for their existence. They have fallen victim to Revelation 2:4 means of operation and lost “their first love.”

In the case of the organization I serve, in 1913 the Methodist Church built an assembly center. Essentially it was just a large, round, outdoor arena to hold missionary and revival type services. While there was the sale of small lots for summer cottages to help finance the building and land purchase, the center of all activity was the ministry done at what would become Stuart Auditorium. The driving force behind the creation of the organization was ministry, everything else, including the construction of inns, lodges, and hotels were designed to support the ministry events and activities. As a matter of fact, most people stayed in hotels and homes in Waynesville and made the daily commute on the train that ran between Lake Junaluska and the small mountain town. Somewhere along the way, the focus changed.

Today ministry is not the driving force but a secondary support venue to increase lodging business. The motels, inns, and lodges have become the primary focus and driving engine of the organization. Ministry events have been reduced to a means to put “heads in beds,” to quote a commonly used term on the campus. The problem is that this is in direct violation of the “hedgehog principle.” Unless there is a significant financial investment our motels and lodging will never be the thing that this organization can be “the best in the world” at. Within just a few moments there are quaint Bed and Breakfasts, cozy mountain inns and cabins, and hotels with high thread count sheets and multiple amenities at significantly less costs per night for the average family. While lodging is the driving revenue engine, it does not seem to be the activity that can generate passion and fuel to drive the overall organization.

If I were to offer my modest proposal upon the future direction, they would be three-fold. First we should continue with the events that are making the most impact upon The United Methodist Church. Secondly we would put a renewed focus and investment upon creating high quality, impactful events that encourage discipleship decisions, train leaders, and transform congregations, primarily United Methodist ones. Lastly we would concentrate our focus upon meeting the needs of our parent organization, The United Methodist Church. I believe with this strategy we could re-capture the hearts and minds of those within The United Methodist Church who have abandoned Lake Junaluska as an obsolete and irrelevant ministry organization.

First and foremost we must continue with the vital ministries and events that have made Lake Junaluska a place of spiritual renewal and faith commitment for thousands of people each year. Last summer alone during times of testimonies at summer youth events several youth workers commented on how those events had saved their marriages, renewed their call, and encouraged their hearts. Youth stood up and spoke of their decision to invite Christ in, to renew their faith, and more than 150 decided to investigate pursuing ministry as their primary profession. This does not mean that some events will not be eliminated. Each event must be evaluated to determine if it has lived out its effectiveness, and if so, discontinued so that from this death new life can spring forth. Some events need a complete overhaul with a focus upon building relationships with attendees, creating networking opportunities, and taking greater care to create the appropriate environment to facilitate its pedagogical and spiritual objectives. Continuing these events will prove to be the foundation upon which the future is built.

Secondly, there must be the intentional creation of high quality, impactful events particularly aimed at the issues and struggles facing The United Methodist Church. Each week The United Methodist Church loses 1,500 members across the United States. Churches are faced with an emerging culture beyond their ability to understand, an aging membership, and a loss of an entire generation. Lake Junaluska is uniquely positioned to pull together prophetic voices to speak to each of these issues. We have the ability to draw upon the historical resources of The World Methodist Museum, as well as the evangelistic resources provided by having The Foundation for Evangelism situated upon the grounds of Lake Junaluska. These events must include voices from nationally known leaders and speakers, include worship that renews the heart, and music that stirs the soul. No longer are “talking head” events what connect with the learners and leaders in today’s congregations. The event must also be an experience. All the senses need to be utilized, the participants must be “surprised and delighted,” to use Starbucks’ phrase, with all that they encounter. Details must be attended to, transitions must be smooth, hosts must be engaging, and information must be cutting edge and state of the art. Only then can the impact of these events reach a tipping point where they are able to be the “hedgehog” that drives the ministry.

Lastly, Lake Junaluska must concentrate its efforts on the people it was created and designed to serve, the people of The United Methodist Church. Does this mean that we will be exclusive and turn those away from other faith traditions? Of course not. But, as Yogi Berra once said, “If you aim at nothing, you’ll probably miss.” By concentrating our event design, marketing strategy and ministry focus upon those who we are best able to serve; we will build bridges to local congregations and renew a once loyal following of the faithful, or as Seth Godin calls them, create a tribe. A tribe is a group of engaged individuals, focused upon a single idea, organization or product, lead by a leader, and radically committed to that idea, organization or product to the point where they become “customer evangelists.” Once the tribe is created, every marketing dollar multiplies. Every encounter energizes the base of the committed.

I am a theologian, not a business person. I do not know all of the answers, but I do know what Einstein said, “"We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them." What I have proposed is currently only an intellectual exercise that allows me to process what I think, observe, and feel about the future of Lake Junaluska, and faith based organizations as a whole. I do know that we must return to our “first love,” that we must renew our hearts for ministry that is theologically grounded in United Methodist doctrine, that is culturally relevant, that is practical for application is struggling local churches , that is empowered by the Spirit and the sacrament, and that is biblically centered. These should be the values by which we measure all that we endeavor to undertake. This is my modest proposal. I remain:

Consumed by the Call,

Reverend Marty Cauley

Great Events Give Back

One of the goals of my recent study leave (which after the work related travel and having to completely re-do the budget that I finished in September amounted to about three actual days for reflection) was to evaluate and determine transferable principles regarding what makes a great ministry event. During the month of October I attended the annual Catalyst Conference in Georgia, coordinated and led the Lay Academy of Christian Witness for the North Carolina Conference and participated in Ginghamsburg United Methodist Churches Change the World Conference. From these three experience, combined with notes from other conferences I have either attended or worked during the past three years there are seven factors evident in events that give back that continue to emerge, they are: excellence in everything; engaging environments; exceeding expectations; engage participants; encourage community; embrace challenges; equip for mission.

Across the board the conferences that seem to be making the biggest impact do everything with excellence. They remember the details like fair trade coffee and bottled water, their staff see every problem as an opportunity to excel. The pre-event material is crisp and clear, the directions to lodging, restaurants and local attractions are precise and support materials provided are professional. There is a seeming unwillingness to settle for “good” when “great” is within reach. How many conferences have I attended where the details were left hanging? Where the handouts were poorly copied, the coffee was stale, or the transitions were poorly planned and awkward? The message should never be sacrificed on the altar of mediocrity. Events that give back pursue excellence.

Additionally the leaders of the excellent events understand that engaging environments are absolutely essential. Environment teaches as much as content. In each case the leaders of these events took an ordinary space and created an environment that reinforced and assisted in transferring the information and experience. Whether it was the ability to make 12,000 people feel like they were in an intimate space talking to the speakers at Catalyst, to the fresh baked bread served every morning at Ginghamsburg, the environment welcomed you in and allowed you to relax and receive the teaching and instruction being offered. Additionally, despite the fact that the events were held in rather boring spaces, they were re-made to support the central theme of the conference. Visual elements were added, color was present and music was presented that helped determine the mood and direction of the sessions. So often we attend events in sterile conference rooms or boring lecture halls that presume that environment doesn’t matter, this is far from the truth, everything informs, from the lighting to the choice of graphic image chosen for the PowerPoint slide, it comes together to create an environment. Events that give back create engaging environments.

Not only do powerful events have engaging environments and practice excellence, they consistently exceed expectations. In the book The Starbucks Experience the author talks about Starbucks commitment to “surprise and delight.” Events that give back provide a “wow” factor. Every participant comes to an event with a set of preconceived expectations. Consistently, events that give back keep raising the bar and providing far more than the attendees expect. Whether it was the gourmet box lunches provided at Ginghamsburg that included a vegetarian option, the “experience packs” at Catalyst or simply providing all the materials needed to do a complete church evangelism audit back home at the Lay Academy, the participants indicated that their expectations were exceeded. At the Lay Academy one participant remarked, “this event is so good, I can’t believe it’s sponsored by the Annual Conference.” Providing a few “wow” moments in an event takes careful and intentional planning and execution, but these moments when expectations are completely blown out of the water are what define an event that gives back.

Engaging participants at a higher level is another element of events that give back. So often events and conferences are simply about conveying a large amount of data in a short period of time. The participant is expected to come as a kind of intellectual sponge to soak up the information and, hopefully, go away with something useful. In every one of the events that give back that I have attended, the attendees were engaged in the learning process, often through the use of multiple intelligences, to learn at many different levels. There was active participation, interaction with the presenters and a chance to engage those around you in vital debriefing and processing. Often there was even an interactive website where participants to prepare for their conference learning experience or comment on it when they returned home. These websites become places where they can share their learning and how they applied the information that they received. Engaging participants in their own learning is central for events that give back.

In addition to facilitating participants’ engagement in their own learning, events that give back also encourage community. They establish online communities, maintain relationships and encourage interaction between those who have shared the experience. The most amazing example of this desire to create community was last years “Catalyst Roadtrip.” Two of the young staffers jumped in an ‘80’s era video equipped Volkswagon Vanagon and trekked thousands of miles to connect and build relationships with group leaders across the United States. They called ahead, usually a week or so, scheduled an appointment and showed up with a bag of stuff (pens, t-shirts, etc.), pulled you in the back of the van, showed you the Catalyst promotional video and encouraged you to come back to Catalyst next year. As they were finishing up, they took a digital picture that they printed and stuck some where in the Vanagon and posted online with a quote or insight that you gave them about your Catalyst experience. This kind of community building was sheer genius. Now, the people on the other end of the phone weren’t just telemarketers trying to get you to come to some conference, they were LV and Chad, your friends who you had dinner with and had your picture with on the web. No wonder their attendance jumped by more than 2,000 participants this year…they understood that events that give back encourage community!

Events that give back embrace challenge. They look boldly into the future and realistically at the present and embrace the cultural and functional challenges that the participants face. Most people go to conferences for two reasons, one is to get away and experience fresh ideas, the other is to discover possible solutions to pressing problems. They are seeking answers. Events that give back research and discover the pressing problems of the people they serve and attack them. They provide multiple options for answers, realizing that there is no “one size fits all” solution, even when problems seem similar. They encourage creativity and the community that is formed allows for interactions that may provide the sought after solutions. Being solution focused and embracing challenge is central to every event that gives back.

Lastly, events that give back equip participants for mission. They expose attendees to ideas and opportunities that call them to live and reach beyond themselves. At the Change the World Conference, Mike Slaughter kept reminding us that “Christmas is not your birthday.” His challenge was that we should match our gift giving dollars with dollars for mission. At Ginghamsburg they meet that challenge and in four years have given more than $3 million dollars to create sustainable agriculture and schools in Darfur. Events that give back realize that they live beyond themselves and can equip and empower the participants to become leaders in their own organizations to make the world a better place. This stands in direct opposition to the consumerist nature of our culture and allows participants to envision a better world because of their attendance at an event that gives back.

Colossians 3:23 reminds us that, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” So often those of us who spend time designing and implementing events see them as tasks to be done and not as ministry. Events that give back practice excellence in everything, create engaging environments, exceed expectations, engage participants in their own learning, encourage community, embrace challenges and equip participants for mission because they realize that it is for God that they do this work. They put their heart into their work realizing that the greatest return for their effort is not in the event, but in the eternal difference that will be made because those who attend will leave changed, challenged and ready to do amazing things for God. That is why I remain:

Consumed by the Call,
Marty Cauley
Gracious God help me to never lose sight of the Kingdom reason for desiring to do events that give back. In the name of the one who gave all that all might live, Jesus, I pray. Amen.

We strive to make all of our summer youth events at Lake Junaluska, great events! We focus upon solid United Methodist theology, powerfully mission focused and fun youth retreats.

Why I Believe in the Next Generation…
Marty Cauley


I work with young adults. That is to say, that when I employ them to be on my staff my goal is to work with them, not have them work for me. I have learned over the years that people rise to the level of the expectations placed upon them, so I raise the bar as high as possible and challenge the young people I encounter to rise…and they do! I believe in the next generation for five reasons: ingenuity empowers them; injustice enrages them; challenges enthrall them; culture equips them; and hope inspires them. The future they face is not as bright as the one they should have inherited but I know that they will rise to the challenge!

Ingenuity empowers the young adults I encounter. A simple example is the I-Phone. It was supposed to be a closed system; applications would have to be approved. Young adults took this as a challenge and “hacked” their I-phones and created a myriad of specialize applications for it. They are not bound by pre-conceived ideas or limitations. One author contends that those of us who are older (that hurt since I’m “only 43”) think linearly, but Mosaics (my preferred name for this generation) think in webs. Every line interacts with, informs and influences every other line. This allows for a level of creativity and ingenuity previously unheard of. Young adults are ingenious; if you don’t believe me, just ask one.

Secondly, injustice enrages them. There is a seemingly inherent moral compass inside of this generation that is completely intolerant of social injustice. Whether it is it the crisis in Darfar, the AIDS pandemic in Africa, or local poverty, they attack injustice. Whereas Boomers found injustice a minor bother and were willing to send $10 to the cause of the day, Mosaics pack their bags and head to Bolivia to dig wells and to India to distribute mosquito nets.

Additionally, challenges enthrall them. Mosaics love to be told what they cannot do and what is “impossible.” Challenges give them the opportunity to utilize all of their resources to attack and discover new ways of beating the system. Mosaics think fast and act fast. They love a fast-paced, challenge-laden environment.

Part of their ability to adapt to any challenge so quickly is that culture has equipped them to be flexible, fast and focused. The speed of change in our culture is moving faster than at any time in history, and Mosaics swim in the waters of change almost effortlessly. Cutlure has taught them to be flexible and keep their options open, to think and act fast because the opportunity will pass you by and to be completely focused on the emergent problem at hand so that, once it is solved, you can move along to the next one.

Lastly, an perhaps most importantly, hope inspires them. Amdist the rapid pace of change, the challenges of our world and the injustice that surrounds them, Mosaics continue to manifest hope. They are not blind optimist, but deliberate realist who still believe they can change the world. They are unwilling to accept the status quo and are ready to make their mark upon the world.

I believe in the next generation because they are persons of ingenuity, compassion, and hope. It is now our job to help them mold that energy into a synergistic force for good and then get out of their way. If I were to offer faith-based leaders three words of advice they would be to expose Mosaics to big ideas; equip Mosaics to lead; and encourage Mosaics to follow their dreams.

Never underestimate the power of a Mosaic to be willing to study, research and grapple with big ideas. Expose them to a myriad of speakers, teachers and ideas, even some with vastly competing views, and let them weigh out the options. This is a generation built upon the idea that intellectual capital is the greatest force on earth, expose them to as much of it as possible.

Allowing Mosaics to lead is risky but rewarding. They will not follow the path of those who have gone before them but that does not mean they will go astray. Mosaics will try new things, come up with vastly different ideas and be willing to take risks. So what if they fail as long as they learn and are able to take their experiences and move forward. Let them lead.

Lastly, be a dream enhancer rather than a dream squashier. Help them grasp the scope of their dream and map out a way to accomplish it. Help them understand the cost of following the dream and the benefit if it is accomplished. One ridiculous dream may be what it takes to save the planet!

I believe in the next generation, in their abilities, their ideas and their values. The future rests in their hands, lets help them by investing in them with all that we have.

I remain:

Consumed by the Call,
Marty Cauley, Believer

Gracious God, who gives dreams and inspires hearts, help we who are older equip, inspire and enable the Mosaics to take their place in Your history and make this world, Your world. In the name of the young adult who has made a way for our salvation, Jesus, I pray. Amen.

3 C's of Youth Ministry

I have been in quite a few conversations about the emerging generation of young people, their needs and concerns and the challenges that they face. Most of the conversation has been how do adult workers relate and assist the youth and young adults at meeting those challenges. No matter what the challenge, a vital interpersonal relationship with each young person is essential. There are three key elements to forming such a relationship, they are caring, consistency and credibility.

The first element to a faithful and productive ministry relationship is caring. This may seem obvious, but you have to actually care about each individual not just how many you can get to show up on Sunday or Wednesday evening. The difficulty with caring is that it takes time, and to be quite honest, it is easier to care about some youth than others. Caring is lived out by have an attitude of unconditional positive regard for each young person despite their present behavior, attitudes or activities. More than once I have heard well meaning youth workers remark that as soon as a certain young person got it together they would be able to be in relationship with them. This type of attitude actually alienates rather than draws young people in. They have a very sensitive BS (“baloney sandwich” for those who are sensitive of language issues) meter and they do not like baloney. That also means they can tell when you pretend to care but really do not. Caring is a necessary and difficult first step.

The most effective way I have found to really begin caring for each young person individually is to spend time in prayer for them. When I was in a local church I used to have each youth write their name and contact information on an index card. I would have those cards at each youth meeting so that they could add prayer requests and concerns to the back of the card that they wanted me to pray over. This allowed a place for the shyer young people to be able to interact with me and let me know about issues in their life. I used these cards as prayer reminders, working my way through the box weekly. Additionally, I would write a short note letting the youth know that they had been prayed for and to let me know if I could do something more. This type of personal response goes well beyond the FACEBOOK message approach to youth ministry and makes it about caring relationships.

The second element is consistency. Our world is full of false promises, products and people who don’t keep their word and inconsistency. As a youth worker you must continue to show up. Again, this seems obvious, but event the obvious cannot be overemphasized enough. A mentor of mine who has gone on to become a United Methodist Bishop once told me that 90% of success and survival in ministry was just showing up. You keep coming back, day after day, week after week, month after month. You build a reputation of reliability. Being consistent will overcome lack of “coolness,” little experience, and the occasional misstep. Think of how many young people have parents who are absent and friends who trade up at the first opportunity, to have somebody in their life that is consistently in their life’s corner, cheering for them, is an amazing asset. Research reveals over and over again that adolescents crave real, accountable and functional adult relationships. Be that person by being consistently present for them.

The final element of a real relationship with young people is credibility. Youth and young adults want a relationship with somebody they can believe in. It is not that you won’t ever “let them down” but when you do, you own up to it and live authentically with them. This requires a commitment to community and authenticity, to being real 24/7. It means that if you say that family time is important, you model it by setting aside time to spend with your family. If you say that worship is vital, you model it by being a full participant in worship, even when it is not the worship style you would have chosen. The key thing to remember about credibility is that it can take years to build and moments to lose. As leaders with young people we must be ever vigilant to maintain our credibility rather than take short cuts. Having a level of credibility will allow them to share their hurts and victories with you and trust you with the important decisions and challenges they face.

Certainly caring, consistency, and credibility are not all that is required of an affirming youth/youth worker relationship, but these three elements are the foundation upon which the relationship rests. These are not “three simple steps to amazing youth ministry,” they are hard work, demanding relationally and costly personally. They require us who value youth and young adults to live lives that are authentic and vulnerable. It also means we may not be the hippest youth worker on the block, but at the end of the day, I would rather be the most trusted than the coolest, trust lasts longer than trends.

I remain:

Consumed by the Call,
Marty Cauley

Gracious God, who is the same yesterday, today and forever, help me to live a life of caring, consistency, and credibility in the name of the Savior who was and is always true, Jesus, I pray. Amen.