Comments on: The Credibility of the Second Decade

By: Speedlinking - February 4, 2008 « Thoughts of Resurrection

Speedlinking - February 4, 2008 « Thoughts of Resurrection — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 19:07:13 +0000

[...] Craig Groeschel provides insight on starting and continuing in ministry at The Credibility of the Second Decade. [...]

By: pastor juan

pastor juan — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 01:00:16 +0000

i am just being me, real and relevant, as you say time is the key.

By: Natalie Witcher

Natalie Witcher — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 20:45:44 +0000

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.

By: AnnieLaurie

AnnieLaurie — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 16:30:08 +0000

I’m letting my yes be yes, learning where the boundary lines stand, and doing my best not to over commit.

By: Jennifer Miller

Jennifer Miller — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 14:35:40 +0000

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.

By: Marcin Mizak

Marcin Mizak — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 08:31:57 +0000

By giving example (I’m learning to do so). Less laws more examples.
Thanks Craig. Great stuff.

By: Jordan

Jordan — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 01:37:29 +0000

By stating a few “confessions” of my own and following the word daily.

love the site. Keep it up Craig.

-Jordan

By: Stovall Weems

Stovall Weems — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 22:58:41 +0000

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: HEATHER PALACIOS

HEATHER PALACIOS — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 20:37:39 +0000

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.

By: got credibility? keep repeating! « observations of a servant, husband and father

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 19:27:36 +0000

[...] The Credibility of the Second Decade [...]

By: Brad Ruggles

Brad Ruggles — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 19:12:11 +0000

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

By: Robyn Brinkley

Robyn Brinkley — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 19:06:59 +0000

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!

By: Sunny

Sunny — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 17:29:48 +0000

By being faithful with what God has given me.

By: Steve Kirkeby

Steve Kirkeby — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 17:01:25 +0000

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: Lex

Lex — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 15:27:41 +0000

So the condescending looks, low expectations, and tendencies to argue before understanding eventually let up? Good to know!

By: Jon French

Jon French — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 14:57:04 +0000

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)

By: Steve Hickey

Steve Hickey — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 14:50:34 +0000

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.

By: riddle

riddle — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 14:46:53 +0000

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.

By: Kevin Bussey

Kevin Bussey — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 14:40:36 +0000

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.

By: John Ireland

John Ireland — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 14:33:24 +0000

“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.