categories: encouragement
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An Outsider’s Words Often Mean More
I see it as one of my biggest roles to encourage and strengthen our staff.
Almost every time we gather, I remind them they are part of something special. But no matter how often I say it, it doesn’t mean as much as when an outsider tells them.
We’ve been blessed to have Dr. Sam Chand, Chris Hodges, Perry Noble, Steven Furtick, Jentzen Franklin, and Bill Hybels speak to our staff.
Each time, I promise you they say things very similar to what I often say, but when they say it, it means so much more!
- Invite the youth pastor from the other side of town to speak to your youth leaders.
- Call another worship leader to lead your choir in worship.
- Ask a neighboring pastor to speak to your volunteers.
Leverage the voice of friends to lift those around you in a way that you can’t.
How have you observed this in your life or ministry?
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I think what you express here Craig is that old principle: “a prophet is without honor in his own country.” Not that you are without honor…none of your staff would say that. But when we hear the same thing from someone else it sort rings a bell. Sort of like when a visitor comes and tells you how much the worship/teaching/whatever meant to them. That seems to mean more than coming from one who may say the same thing every week. We recently had a special anniversary offering and instead of me talking about I had each of the leaders talk about it on successive Sundays. It went over much better. Same principle as you are speaking about I think.
Bill(cycle guy)- Well Said!
Craig- As one of your staff members, I 100% agree!
Not sure there’s much to add! You said it perfectly, and that’s been my experience too. For some reason it sounds more believable coming from someone who is not as invested in your vision as you are. Go figure!
So true! My friends and I often exchange favors of having the “talk” with our children. We often know that are children respect us as parents but when you have that “cool friend” (according to your children) come over to encourage them or tell them what you’ve been telling them for years, can make a world of difference in their minds. But, I so understand. I was the same way with my parents.
Heady, Thanks for adding another dimension to the discussion. You are right, another parent or significant role model can say the same thing we say to our kids but it can mean more to them.
Scott: thanks
Heady: what a cool idea! I am way past that but as a pastor can use that as a great suggestion.
I call this “The white noise principle”. After a while of hearing me - the church, my kids, whomever, begin to hear white noise. The white noise needs to be shaken up with a new sound and that is a new voice is and what it does. It shakes things up.
Thanks for the thought.
Speaking from the staff rank and file, Craig is right. We still quote to each other stuff that those guys have said to us with a smile. Especially Perry Noble because he’s so stinkin’ funny. :)
Great Post! We did this back in June by bringing in another Pastor to pour into our LIFEGroup leaders. He and his wife gave us some great insight on how to provide “life-on-life” groups. We are now taking what they said and running with it.
I’ll never stop being surprised by how easy it is to usually get a yes! I have no idea why we don’t do this more, just get caught up in the day to day I guess. We have a huge guest coming to speak to our worship teams in a couple of weeks, I just took a shot and called someone I’ve never met before and they are coming for a fraction of the cost they typically get!! I said the very thing you are saying here to my pastors, “my teams just need to hear a new voice!” I agree totally with your post!
Personal comments mean a lot from the leader, but general statements are great from outsiders.
Craig Groeschel….
You are awesome man! I’m not in (or even near) any of your campuses. I’m a worship leader at a small church in SC. One reason why I love to keep tabs on you is because you truly have a desire that this whole entire world be changed through the power of Christ and you don’t care if anybody even knows who Craig Groeschel is!
What a role model. Thanks for all you do!
I took a group of students to a summer camp where the camp pastor was saying a lot of the same things I had been saying for the past year. When the camp pastor said it some of our students looked down the row at me with a puzzling look. I knew at that moment that they finally had heard what I had been saying. Outside voices are very beneficial!
Pastor Craig. I was wondering how did you know that you were called to start a church? What was the tipping point that caused you to pull the trigger?
[...] [Repost from October 22, 2008] [...]