Comments on: You Are An Original

By: John Wright

John Wright — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 16:31:35 +0000

“I forced myself to stop listening to others for awhile so I discover who I was as a preacher.”

How funny. That is EXACTLY what I am doing right now. I don’t listen to any preachers on the radio, iTunes, or anywhere else at the moment. I caught myself trying to emulate them, and it cheapened (not sure that’s the right word) the message somewhat.

It’s good to hear it’s not just me.

Blessings to you and all.

By: Who I Am or Who Am I? « Gil Allensworth

Who I Am or Who Am I? « Gil Allensworth — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 05:29:33 +0000

[...] This week, as I have battled through my insecurities, Craig Groeshel really encouraged me with his blog post on being original. [...]

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 16:55:38 +0000

This is a great post. I know just starting out I was under the impression that I had to yell and run and turn bright shades of red and purple. It took me a few years and some hurt feelings before I understood what you are saying here. I still struggle with finding my own voice but that day is coming, thanks for all you do!

By: Craig Groeschel

Craig Groeschel — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 13:56:25 +0000

Jack, I am so glad God has blessed your new church plant. Congrats on all the baptisms.

By: Friday Fun Links | Faith Emergence

Friday Fun Links | Faith Emergence — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 13:41:14 +0000

[...] you do any king of leading or public speaking, you need to be reminded of what Craig has to say over at [...]

By: Links of the Week at Trey Kelly

Links of the Week at Trey Kelly — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 12:04:01 +0000

[...] This post by Craig Groeschel hits the same issue as Seth’s but from a slightly different perspective. Great, great stuff. [...]

By: Dj Berges

Dj Berges — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:02:31 +0000

Seeing my father preach for 30 years its difficult for me not to have some sort of his style.
But basically its about a personal communion with God, his Word and the Holy Spirit to lead us to be what He want’s us to be.

By: Vance

Vance — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:08:28 +0000

I am finding my own voice I believe. I read ALOT. I find that preaching is communicating the most important message in the world. Recently, I finished reading Andy Stanley’s “Communicating for a Change.” It has been transforming and liberating. It has allowed me to maximize my study time while preaching a one point message. In fact, a pastor friend of mine and I have both switched to this with great resulst for the Kingdom. Before this I tried several different ways including the way I was taught at seminary. Now I find that a combination of these work well for me and has allowed me to find my voice. Great topic!

By: Jack Ward

Jack Ward — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:07:20 +0000

Craig: I was one of the two guys you spoke of who was fired for using OPEN outlines & ideas. As I wrote to you at the time (feel free to use my response in whatever way you want – the offer still stands here). I debated to myself about responding our just hanging back on this one - especially on the first day, with so many of the responses being critical and accusatory. I did appreciate your gentle tone to try to bring the conversations back into civility. Fact is – I still need all the help I can get. My goal as a pastor is to strive for 52-unforgettable Sunday’s a year. Problem is: I’m just not smart enough to pull that off - so, I still use about 60% of other peoples stuff. Stuff I pay for or stuff that’s offered at no cost to struggling pastors like me. But, having said that, I spend 30 hours a week on message prep these days, I just try to be more tactful and give the credit in a way that is honoring to God and also honors other pastors and other ministries. BTW – my using OPEN materials was not REALLY the “reason” I was fired. It was a reminder though, that just like Jesus, and “the Pharisees saw this as another excuse to attack Him”. That’s another interesting discussion though.
The storm of being fired was the best thing that happened to me. It wasn’t fun at the time (believe me). My family and I spent 15 years at that church and gave over $100,000 through the years in tithes and building programs.
Craig, I wanted you to know that since my storm (of being fired)….we planted a new church in a different county. 75% of our new congregation doesn’t hardly know anything about God and His forgiveness and all He has for us. Our new church is averaging just over a hundred each week, and we’ve had 10 baptisms this year. Yes, I’ve missed a few paychecks from planting this church, but I believe it was all in God’s timing. We are in a better position, at so many levels.
As pastors, we live in amazing times with tons of recourses available at the click of a keypad. In fact last night I downloaded New Spring’s “sermon open” called ILLUMINATE. You must check it out. It’s going to be really cool and I can’t wait. I plan to use that this fall in a series I will do with a totally different approach. I have learned much about myself in my transition. For the record, I will continue to use others ideas, and concepts, but make it my own.
All for God’s greater glory and to see changed lives.
In Christ Jack Ward

By: Bryan McKnight

Bryan McKnight — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:45:46 +0000

I think original is just being real.

I don’t if if I am creative enough to come up with original ideas, sermons, illustrations, title or series….but I can be who I am.

How am I real? Yesterday I went to our local Rotary Club meeting for the very first time. I was a bit nervous because I was wearing jeans, t-shirt, bleached blond hair and looked like a punk. For the first time I was being real. For years I have been in the corporate world and I have been expected to look, talk and act a certain way…you know…professional so people would take me serious.

Today, we are redefining church in our community and this means being real. That’s who I am and That’s how I can be me!

By: Camey

Camey — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 12:32:40 +0000

Totally understand this post. I was asked to start writing for an ezine. The first article I submitted was good. Yet, it did not feel right. The editor called me on it. He point blank asked me why I had written it in a different voice than what I use on my blog. Needless to say, I went back and rewrote the entire article. Can’t tell you how much I learned from that experience.. And what I am learning still through it.

Oh… and Craig, thanks for how you encourage others to be who they are.

By: Ken Tran

Ken Tran — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 06:37:19 +0000

Craig, thanks to your messages, they have confirm a lot of my ideas about ministry and how one is to commit themselves to God. Your example by the way you lead the church influences me to be brave and bold for Christ. And I believe that when we have that confidence we begin to become the creative persons that God intended for us to be.

I have recently become more confident with the way I am because who I am reaches out to a group of people that others can’t and vice versa. So, I thank God for who I am and others for who they are, for we are all on earth for the same ministry to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ.

By: Formerfire

Formerfire — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:50:06 +0000

I think as you grow older you just become more comfortable with who you are and what God is doing and has done in your life. Then the messages flow from the heart. But listening to other pastors is food for our souls too.

By: Craig Groeschel

Craig Groeschel — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 23:46:33 +0000

Great heartfelt comments! Thank you!

Truth in love, So glad the blog blesses you!

Mike, I think you raised some good points. Congrats on the good news you shared on your blog.

By: Michael Servello

Michael Servello — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 20:49:56 +0000

Hi Craig,

I think generally speaking any communicator goes through a process to find his own voice by imitating others. We usually like something in those people we imitate like strong passion or values, clarity, simplicity, or creativity. Its good to explore those things to find who WE are. In my opinion the process of trying to imitate others often leads to us becoming who we are. I don’t believe there should be any shame in this anymore than my 2 year old should feel bad because of her poor language skills. She is in a process. However, if my 2 year old become 4 years old and she is still talking like a 2 year old there is a problem.

I am finding my voice by knowing my convictions. Knowing my limitations and yet allowing God to stretch me where i fell uncomfortable, and intentionally learning from successes and failures, and becoming more secure. Security is the biggest deal to me to have my own voice.

By: Jared

Jared — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 18:44:45 +0000

I enjoy finding who I am! I love being different…I just continuing to ask God to show me who He wants me to be…to mold me into the leader He wants me to be.

It really is hard trying not to become a copy of who you look up to (you, Dr. Grosh), but I’ve been enjoying finding who God wants me to be!

I encourage all of you to continue and continue and continue (and continue x999999) to ask God to reveal to you and form you into who He wants you to be.

A quote worth quoting (it’s not exact, so this could be plagiarism, but I’m sure it’s fine! ) - “Don’t compare yourselves with other people who compare themselves with other people.” (an altered form of something Paul Washer said).

Be who Christ wants you to be.
Listen. Ask. Listen. Wait. Find. Form. Follow. Be.

By: Dusty Takle

Dusty Takle — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 18:40:54 +0000

Thanks, Bill!

By: Bill (cycleguy)

Bill (cycleguy) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 18:38:01 +0000

Dusty: my apologies for the mistake. Liked your blog about chronic illness even though I don’t have one. Great attitude and thoughts.

By: Patrick Grach

Patrick Grach — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:59:12 +0000

My litmus test of authenticity and integrity in my style- doesn’t it match the rest of my life. Does it look like the way I speak during staff meetings, with my wife and kids, over lunch, or during a softball game. For me, it’s “raw Christianity laced with passion over a cup of coffee”.

By: jim

jim — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:15:53 +0000

I find several things in all this.
1) When I step into the pulpit I want to bring “fresh bread”.
2) I have found that listening to people that I respect as speakers helps me to grow.
3) I have also found it gives me creative ideas for messages than I can use but in my own way.
4) I found my “voice” by getting up and being authentic with everything I said.
5) Different styles reach different people and different areas have a different DNA than others so what works in one place will not be nearly as effective in another, so we need to find what works where we live (maybe modify something some else has done) and do it!