Just a few days ago I posted 10 things that are a whole bunch harder than I expected about starting and growing a church. I forgot something big, that if not done (very) often, can undermine your leadership and overall effectiveness in a major way.
Saying NO. Whether you say it in Spanish or English (a cheesy joke), saying it often is a key ingredient to church planting success, butI have found that I have a harder time saying it than I expected. Here’s why:
As a church planter, I need every physical, financial, and human resource available just to keep my head above water sometimes. Because of this, when a decent opportunity comes along that might benefit our church (even if just moderately) I am very prone to give that opportunity an automatic “yes” and it’s catching up with me. Instead of saying no on the front end, I am now about to have to do something a whole lot messier…calling and emailing folk to tell them that I overcommitted myself and that I will have to back out of certain commitments that I made to do stuff that sounded good, but just doesn’t fit in this very crowded season of my life.
Ask me how much I hate this. No. Never mind. Don’t ask me. Let me tell you now – it’s embarrassing. However, what would be more embarrassing would be being a flop of a pastor (or a husband or father) because I followed after everything that smelled good. That’s just not going to happen.
Take my advice. Don’t get distracted. Stay on course. Learn how to say it say nicely, but accept the fact that saying no is necessary!
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Good one. Even for non-church planters.
True. I know I have the hardest time saying NO, and I need to be better at saying it, i guess i just don't want to let people down. Thanks for the encouragement P. Shaun,