7 Excuses That Keep Christian Leaders From Expanding Their Reach
One quote that really opened my eyes was from a Christian business leader, Dani Johnson. He said that the excuses were nothing more than well thought out lies. That really got me thinking. The more I work with Christian leaders and pastors, there are 7 main excuses I’ve heard for why they aren’t expanding their reach.
The main excuses that Christian pastors and leaders give themselves are:
I don’t want to be big. Expanding your reach is not for big businesses and mega churches. It is not for those who desire fame and fortune. Expansion is mandatory for every believer. God has blessed you with certain gifts that are to be used for his glory and to build his kingdom.
“It’s a good idea, but I’m not ready yet.” Have you ever said that when faced with an opportunity to expand your ministry or help someone experience God through you? When you prepare for the sake of preparing, you put yourself in a place of paralysis. Fear sets in and others miss out on experiencing God through you. The amazing thing about God is that he has already equipped you with everything you need. You were born equipped and go!
This costs a lot! The true cost of expansion is commitment to God. When you are committed to God and his ways, ways will open up. Sometimes it may be hard for you to expand, such as buying business cards, getting help from others, etc. But remember that we serve a God of abundance.
I’m not as good as…In Romans 12:6 it says that God has blessed each of us with different gifts that will be used to impact the world. Comparing yourself, his business, and his gifts to others is a waste of time. What you’re really saying is “God, I don’t like who you’ve made me be. I’m inadequate. Can you give me what you gave them?”
If it is God’s will, then He will do it. That is the most passive and lazy expansion approach you can take. The Bible teaches that the steps of a good man or woman are orderly and they delight in their path. If you are not moving towards expansion or your destiny, then nothing is going to happen. You have to do something,
It’s too complicated. Expanding your reach is simple. It’s taking things you already do, consistently, on purpose, and pushing yourself toward the desired goal.
If I dare to be big and do things big, I’m going to lose everyone I love. This lie is the biggest deception the enemy has made us believe. If you are a pleaser, then this lie is what is holding you back in a great way. The truth is that this lie is rooted in selfishness. It is rooted in your desire to be liked and accepted by those around you. The truth is that expansion has nothing to do with you. When you focus on yourself instead of those you are called to serve, you are being selfish and preventing God from blessing others through you.
The truth is that there are people waiting to experience God through you. And they cannot experience it if you continue to make excuses and remain in a place of paralysis.
Expansion in Action
1. Based on the 7 excuses, which ones have you been given as to why you don’t allow others to experience God through you?
2. What is the main reason for your inaction? Fear? Not knowing what steps to take?
3. Now that you are aware of your excuses, what steps are you going to take to overcome them?