I met a pastor of a very large church who said that they intentionally try to have the best in everything- from worship software to youth program. He thought people would respond better because it would tell them that they are successful. With so much “strength” did he even need Jesus?

Of course I’m not questioning this pastors intentions or salvation, but when we try to be perfect we are implicitly turning our backs on Christ- telling him we don’t need him because we can do it ourselves.

P.S. I’m switching to soy as a result of this post.

Great post Craig! I want to always give my best in an effort that will never be THE BEST.

Many become complacent, losing the very sense of urgency that started them on the path of “being the best” in the first place.

There is no greater purpose for sustaining that urgency than the ministry.

Keep up the great work.

Agape,
steve

Wow, I appreciate your authenticity and humility.

Peace be with you!

I go to so many church conferences where pastor say something like this:”We have the BEST staff in the WORLD.”

Good fun? Expression of Gratitude? Is it okay to pump staff up by saying that, much like running into so many restaurant’s that say something like “The World’s BEST Hamburgers.” Can this instill a sense of pride without being prideful?

What matters most to God reaching seekers and helping those in need. Love God, Love others. Everything else is just extra.

If you were gone tomorrow would your city even notice? We are called to impact the area God has called us to not accumulate titles.

Blessing upon blessing,
TG

I wholeheartedly believe that the true nature of humility rests within a genuinely Christ-driven perspective. And yet, this is a paradox that is notoriously difficult to balance–as you have pointed out.

For instance, a humble man, woman, or even church, is not one that incessantly points out their flaws or beats up on their relative shortcomings whenever they receive praise because this would be dismissing what God has done through them. And every person and every church inherently does have shortcomings–after all we’re people.

And yet a humble person or church does not also believe that they have no shortcomings or that they can’t possibly do more or give more in order to help others better come to know and become more like Christ.

The humble person or church, with a genuinely God-centered perspective realizes that without Christ, all effort is vain. And that the goal of a church or a disciple of Christ is not to excel for the ’sake’ of excelling but to draw individuals into a relationship with God by reflecting and revealing the love of God through everything they do. It is only through that lens that all actions and seeming successes or failures should be measured.

Whenever that mindset is at the forefront of our thoughts and actions, the glory and graciousness of God shine through anything and everything.

And yet one might say that it is a balance not possible for people to keep, of which I would agree, but with God–nothing’s impossible.

Craig, does it bother you that a magazine (a Christian one, I assume) is implicitly comparing ministries against other ministries by giving a church some type of “most ______ Church in America” title?

I would think that it might cause some people to frown upon other churches that–while they may be healthy and fruitful–may have been overlooked and received no such commendation.

The Stockdale Paradox is a combination of two of Collin’s other theories, Unwaivering optimism and confronting the brutal facts. As an organizational leader it’s important to build a culture where optimism can run rampant and at the same time you address the fact that you’re not the best at everything, or maybe not the best at anything. Either way you must remain positive and work towards being better everyday, best or not.

May God continue to bless you as a daddy and a husband, and maybe a little toward your day job too!

Blessings!