At the Catalyst Dallas conference on Wednesday I was shooting the breeze with a great organization. I love talking strategy and brainstorming, so I was trying to help them get more response at their booth. How do we get pastors to come to the booth and use this company’s products?
During the discussion I had the idea to offer a book contract to any pastor that used their services. The idea was that every pastor secretly wants to be a rock star. They want to be like the “celebrities” they see at the conferences. And a book contract is the obvious way to make that happen.
The whole conversation began a bit tongue-in-cheek. But I soon realized that would probably work. Probably too well.
Pastors want to have influence. That’s the reason they become pastors. But as soon as they become a “professional witnesser” their external influence is severed. It’s hard to believe a pastor witnessing in a restaurant, because his job is to witness to you and get you to his church. His job depends on folks filling the pews.
So now his influence is limited to the four walls of his sanctuary. If he wants to expand his influence he has to reach other church workers. It’s not necessarily a bad thing…but it turns into a desire for rock-stardom if you aren’t careful.
Have you succumbed to a rock-star desire? I admit I do occasionally. There are times I want book deals and super cool head-shots in front of Hobbit Homes. (That’s right, Proctor. I’m jealous of your headshot.) And there’s nothing wrong with a desire to influence others.
But let’s never let the desire to influence others turn into a desire for fame. Learn from the contributors of Sunday| Mag like I have…they don’t want to be famous (Sunday| Mag isn’t a vehicle to increase their fame). They want to influence others and make a lasting impact on the church world.
I encourage you. Get rid of the rock star complex if you have one. And keep it away like that annoying kid that had a crush on you in elementary school (and didn’t get the hint).
Good reminder (and critique) of what too often becomes embedded in the conference culture. If the triune God is not becoming the “rock star” then we’re merely making ourselves (and the products and services we’re selling) despicable idols. thanks for the gut check!
Good reminder (and critique) of what too often becomes embedded in the conference culture. If the triune God is not becoming the “rock star” then we’re merely making ourselves (and the products and services we’re selling) despicable idols. thanks for the gut check!
Finding the heart of Middle Earth is much more challenging than getting a book deal, trust me. & much more worth it, too!
😉
Finding the heart of Middle Earth is much more challenging than getting a book deal, trust me. & much more worth it, too!
😉