In this episode we explore the whole issue of strengths and weaknesses, with just a smattering of humor, of course. We have a feeling that too many of us 200church pastors feel badly about our weaknesses, and spend too much time worrying about them.
Too many pastors are beaten down by mostly honest and innocent church members who constantly try to “help” their pastor by reminding him or her to get better in their weakest areas. In reality, our weak areas will always be weaker. We cannot be great at everything. And in some areas we will just never be that good. Honestly, you didn't really think you’d be good at everything, did you?
Focusing on our weaknesses and trying to make them stronger will only frustrate and discourage us, and others. We can simply acknowledge our weaknesses, allow for them, involve others in our lives who are strong in those areas, and move on! In fact, pastors can be just as hampered in their ministry by their strengths, maybe even more hampered! By viewing their strengths as “free money” pastors can hurt themselves by 1) reducing preparation time because they over-rely on their gift, or 2) becoming prideful in their good work, and 3) not including others in the ministry because they themselves do the job just fine. Below are eighteen reasons (aren't you glad this isn't a sermon?!) why you should view both your strengths AND your weaknesses as equally valuable, because they reflect who God made you to be as a pastor, shepherd, leader, and servant. First, your weaknesses:
Second, your strengths:
We hope you are encouraged and challenged by this podcast. Remember, your pastoral leadership is a huge deal in the Kingdom of God! Strengths and weaknesses – aren't you sick of hearing that phrase?! In every interview we have ever had, don’t we all get the same question, “Now, would you please tell me what you think are your strengths and weaknesses?” A simple variation of that question would be so welcome – just leave out “and weaknesses?” Who in the world wants to share their weaknesses? Honestly, not me, and I imagine, neither do you. My strengths? Oh yes, but not my weaknesses. Weaknesses
After all, weaknesses are, well, weak! They are negative. They are the side of ourselves we would like to hide. They represent the foot we do not want to put forward. They are left-handed, handicapped, and about as welcome as bounced checks. To put it bluntly, weaknesses are bad, and portray the worst about us. Your weaknesses might be fear, disorganization, lack of courage, an inability to work with numbers, no relational acumen, bad money handler, indecisive, lack of focus, poor communication skills, or that you talk too much. Strengths Strengths, on the other hand, are what we are proud of! We revel in our strengths, and want to promote and publicize them for the entire world to see. We are strong in our strengths, and attractive in our strengths, and powerful in our strengths, and we like ourselves more as we see ourselves through the prism of our strengths. Maybe you are a great money manager, have good people skills, are an excellent communicator (both written and verbal!), can navigate a large organization well, or are a skilled administrator. Maybe your strength is preaching, counseling, or raising money. Strengths are good, beneficial, profitable, and productive. We thank God for our strengths and know that we will always do well if we work within our strength zone. To be clear, strengths are good and weaknesses are bad. Now, wait just a cotton pickin' minute! But… wait a minute! Are they really? What if, without being disingenuous hucksters, we told you that your weaknesses were just as important as your strengths? What if you didn't have to be embarrassed about your weaknesses, but that you could embrace them, welcome them into your day, and use them to leverage your best ministry? What if you found out that your weaknesses were just as important as your strengths when it came to your ministry? What if you didn't have to run away from them anymore, and you didn't have to try to improve them? Podcast Episode 30 - this Wednesday Well, on Wednesday’s Episode 30 of the 200churches Podcast, that’s exactly what we are going to tell you, and more. We will give you all the reasons why both your strengths, and your weaknesses, equally, make your ministry what it is, as a pastor of a 200church. We are excited to share Episode 30 with you and really believe it will encourage you in your ministry. Don’t miss Wednesday’s podcast! In the meantime, make a list of all your strengths and weaknesses, and bring them with you when you listen. You do know them, don’t you?? |
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