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The Credibility of the Second Decade
In the first decade, I was the young guy. People called me the “kid preacher.” They used to tell me,
“Keep practicing; you’ll be a good preacher one day.”
As the church got off the ground, people would say:
- “You’re just a kid. Why should I follow you?”
- “You won’t be here long. You’ll leave for some bigger church one day soon.”
- “You won’t last. You go too hard. You’ll burn out.”
- “Your crazy ideas will never work.”
In the second decade, people believe me when I tell them I’m committed for life. They believe me when I tell them Amy and I have a good marriage. They believe me when I tell them I’m spiritually healthy and growing.
Integrity + Longevity = Great Influence
Now when I speak, I don’t have to shout for people to listen. I don’t have to be funny to get their attention. I don’t have to prove myself to gain credibility.
I praise God that I get to serve Him in the second decade!
How are you gaining credibility?
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Being myself, caring about people and developing meaningful relationships; one at a time.
This is something I am learning now. I’m 22 and in my first staff position. I’ve been stretched a lot in the areas of learning leadership and credibility.
I’ve been leading a small group bible study which has people in their late 20s and early 30s and it’s been awesome so far. But, I still have that fear in my mind they’ll be like, “Oh what do you know…your just a kid still.” It’s be neat to see that this hasn’t been the mindset.
The things I’ve done is to consistently pursuing a right relationship with God and speeding time getting to each person. I’ve also, been drilling Ephesians 4:12-13 into my head and ministry. I told them last night, my heart was to help equip and prepare them for ministry and that it’s something I don’t want to take lightly.
Hopefully it’s not about me gaining anything, but God granting everything. Maybe to answer the question it would simply be longevity, consistency, passion.
The question is, have I lost the passion that once flowed so naturally due to a better understanding of how “Church” should be operated, organized?
Consistent, patient, action.
By washing the feet of the people I’m called to reach!
Credibility…synonymous with “trustworthiness”, “reliability”, “integrity”, “authority”, “standing” and “sincerity”…(okay, I’m not that smart…I looked it up!) Regardless, I have to CHOOSE (key word) …daily to SEEK God’s wisdom or kingdom through HIS word and BE His church.
Remember playing softball (baseball…guys) or basketball and your coach would constantly say over and over…”Be the Ball” …”Be the Ball”. Well, I hear in my mind…God being my ULTIMATE coach chanting “Be the Church”… “Be MY Church”!
I am year 2 of the first decade…I am 30 and recently planted a church just outside Toronto, Ontario. I find because I am from the US people are seem to think we want to go back home.
I am finding for me that being honest about what I know and especially what I don’t know is helping me gain credibility. Also, listening to what people are saying, even if I don’t agree they just want to be heard.
By staying close to Christ… He’s got great credibility (in some circles)! Maybe it will rub off!
Getting through tough times together, like those Sunday mornings when everything is going wrong but we all come together and work it out. I think when they see that I am not going to shy away or back away from those situations it definitely helps with my credibility.
In his book “Wild at Heart” John Eldredge has a quote as he starts chapter 6. It hangs on the wall of my office so I can see it everyday as a stark reminder that I gain or loose credibility based on who I truly am. In short you cannot fake credibility it whispers in the light or screams in the darkness, based on every action you take!
From “Wild at Heart”
The quote: “ESSE QUAM VIDERI”
Translation: “To be, rather than to appear”
-Own my errors (They are many)
-Say I’m sorry (I’m often wrong)
-Humbly accept my headlines good or bad (It’s usually never as good or bad)
Craig, I remember hearing these exact statements when I first started. My problem is that 10 years later, I still sometimes live in those comments and in other statements like them. Instead of walking in the confidence that I know God has given me, I am guilty sometimes of sliding under those comments and even finding identity in them.
The only credibility I have is hanging out with a 40 year old who still is an idealist. You give us young guys hope. Will I be old in a year when I hit 40? lol.
Seriously though, what credibility I’ve found has been earned through relationship. Titles and positions are for sissies; influence is always earned by hard work and being dedicated.
Craig - Thanks for the reminder and encouragement. I am in my second year of ministry as a young, recent seminary graduate. I have heard many of the things that you have named - at times in word and at times in attitude.
I think that you are right on - integrity over the long run gains credibility and a greater voice. I would also add excellence and smart decision making. I think that it is at times more powerful knowing what to say “no” to than saying yes to every opportunity.
first - integrity + longevity = great influence. wow. so simple and true.
i am 23 - praise God that i am at a church that trusts me. they believe in me. they think that i am going to succeed. the problem i have is - many times i cripple myself by believing that i am just a kid, i’ll get the hang of this when i’m older.
but seeking God and depending on God for direction is the only way that i have seen to move past my own doubt and fear.
this is an encouraging post with encouraging comments. they keys seem to be seeking God and integrity. That will be what i build my credibility on.
“Integrity + Longevity = Great Influence”
I think that is it, right there, Craig. I am fairly certain that whatever credibility I have with others has been built steadily through observation. I say observation intentionally because words are temporary - right-sounding proclamations have impact only if they are quickly reinforced through action.
As a non-staff leader, credibility in a new area often will get an initial boost through the commendation of one of our pastors, elders or staff members. That fades quickly, though, if proper stewardship/mantle-bearing is not shown.
I don’t think I will ever gain credibility with everyone. But that’s OK. I just want to gain credibility with those God has called me to minister to and reach for Christ. There are always those who will call me names and think that what I’m doing is wrong. The only people I care about are in this order. God, my family and those God has called me to minister to.
Craig,
I’m reflecting on my own journey as I read this. I know the voices you’re writing about.(perhaps literally) What I also hope you realize is that those voices often felt like the majority, perhaps because they were the trusted authority denominationally, spiritually, or otherwise for us until that point, where not actually the majority. Maybe they were the folks with the power, or the folks who wanted the power. Regardless, there will be people now on the other side who only listen because of your position or their perception of you or your church. There are two sides to this coin in my experience. You can tell you listens to you, when you leave a prominent position and not every returns your phone calls.
Perhaps, the key is finding comfort in my own skin and trusting myself enough to have confidence, even when those with power doubt us. It seems this is what you were able to do in planting life, which was probably no easy task as it appears as if you have an well above average sense of self and your reality.
I guess I’m saying way to go. congratulations and people have always been listening to you and respecting what you have to say, they just weren’t the obvious folks.
In year 22 of ministry right now… in year 14 here in our church plant - I still call it that. I was 27 when we started but my baby face pushed me to work harder than all the rest. When visitors would show up to hear the “wisdom of God” only to discover the guy behind the podium looks like he’s 15, unless they were pleasantly surprised, they tended not to come back. Credibility for me came with consistency. It’s probably better to ask someone near me but I’d think what makes me credible is being steady, unwavering, and fixed year after year after year after year. I’ve outlasted many in ministry in our area and still feel like I’m just getting started. Credibility comes over time. Credible people don’t exaggerate even in the small stuff. If I were to sneak in one unbelievable detail in a message it calls into question all the rest. Church planters tend to exaggerate. I guess I’m saying it takes a lot of time to establish credibility and it can be forfeited in a few moments.
Great post. As a young guy in ministry these last couple of most have gone into my journal.
For me it is keeping my word. Do what I say I am going to do. That has been a personal core value. (not that I am close to perfection, but attepmting)
So the condescending looks, low expectations, and tendencies to argue before understanding eventually let up?
Good to know!
I have been at my current church 17 years. The past couple of years I have moved out into more community involvement. It is not that I haven’t been involved in the past years, it is just that I have decided to become very intentional in my involvement within my community, (church and non church).
What I am finding out that people are waiting for my leadership in many areas because of my length of time at the church, the resources that I have access to and the my skill set that I bring to the table. I also can see because of my heritage (I was raised in this community and my family is well known)much is expected of me and that I find that this gives me special opporunities that many do not have.
The challenge for me is, am I willing to embrace the opporuntiy I have, see how God can use me in brand new ways.
I really injoy respoding to your questions. It helps me think about many different aspects of my role as a pastor.
God Bless
By being faithful with what God has given me.
By reminding myself that it’s not all about me. (I am better at this some days than others). Yesterday was an “it’s about me” kind of day…but when the night came and the families started to come through the doors, it was like a brick fell from the sky and hit me square in the head. By focusing on our mission and what it means to each person that walks through the door, the integrity factor increased and hopefully my credibility rating went up. Rough day…incredible night!
Credibility can be lent by association. For example, if an established leader were to publicly commend someone as worthy of listening to they are given instant credibility. Whether or not it lasts depends on what they do with the creditability they are given.
But honestly the best credibility comes, like you said, with time. Talk is cheap and experience speaks for itself.
Thanks for sharing.
Brad Ruggles
http://www.bradruggles.com
[...] The Credibility of the Second Decade [...]
When I first started speaking, I’d throw my colossal screw-ups into every story and spin some tears in. But I’ve learned that this can cloud the takeaway that God so desperately needs the audience to hear. Maybe its just a chic thing, but either way, I’m trying to be real and also more placid.
Craig,
These insights your sharing about your second decade of ministry is just great stuff. Thanks for being transparent and inspiring so many pastors and leaders.
By stating a few “confessions” of my own and following the word daily.
love the site. Keep it up Craig.
-Jordan
By giving example (I’m learning to do so). Less laws more examples.
Thanks Craig. Great stuff.
I think gaining credibility is not about doing something intentionally - it’s about just being.
Consistancy is so important in my mind….be who you say you are all the time. People learn that you mean what you say, and you are faithful in what you do. People are never in it for the long haul these days…so to stick with something shows that you are a person of your word.
Being real is another huge one in my mind. Being in ministry as you wrote in your book is about putting the front up so you fulfill the title. But if you are open and candid about your mistakes, your failures, that you aren’t perfect…that resonates with people and helps them to become real in their own lives. You become credible in their eyes, because you are not putting yourself up on a pedastal where they expect you to be something and then you disappoint everyone when you are not.
I’m letting my yes be yes, learning where the boundary lines stand, and doing my best not to over commit.
I am leaning toward Jennifer’s comment. I’ve noticed that my credibility has come thru years of just being the same. Not that I haven’t changed, but remaining true to my values and consistent in striving for Godliness. We mentor about 5 couples in our lifegroup that are just 10 years behind us, but those 10 years have brought much credibility. It’s very humbling.
i am just being me, real and relevant, as you say time is the key.
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