Many of you who are reading this just came back from the Southern Baptist Convention where you rubbed shoulders with the pastors you want to be just like. If we are honest (and not careful), we will also admit that we rubbed shoulders with some pastors we are jealous of. It can be easy to look at others and consider how influential you might be if you had the platform that he has, or what you would be able to do if you had the influence of that guy over there.
If you’ve ever longed for a more prominent ministry role, this article is for you. It’s kind of a bait and switch, though. See, the truth is that if you clicked on this because you are looking to broaden your ministry platform, you might not yet be ready to have a larger ministry platform. If we aren’t careful, we can desire to have a platform that outpaces our character. So, instead of five easy steps to broaden your ministry platform, here are five reasons that you may not need to.
- God has you right where you are for his purpose. Have you considered that the reason you are where you are is because God wants you there? Maybe you are the perfect person to lead in the place where God has placed you. Don’t miss out on the blessings of the present by coveting the future.
- Your character is not strong enough to support a larger platform. This is hard for any of us to hear (it’s even hard for me to type), because none of us want to believe that our character is too weak to support an expanding ministry, but maybe it is. Rather than longing for a larger platform, dig in to deeper holiness.
- Your family may not be able to stand up under the strain of a larger platform. Don’t buy the lie that those who minister on larger platforms have it easier. The larger the platform, the larger the headache. The struggle you face in a small church is not easy, but recognize that it can be multiplied in a larger ministry setting. Before you seek out a larger platform, consider whether your family could shoulder the burden with you.
- You may not be a strong enough leader. This is a hard pill to swallow as well, but large ministries need strong leaders. Just because you are a fantastic preacher and pastor and your church loves you, doesn’t mean that you (or I) have the gifts to lead a larger organization.
- You love the kind of ministry that is unique to small or mid-size churches. Larger ministry platforms mean that you are further removed from the every-day lives of the people in your congregation or ministry. In a larger setting you will have strong relationships with your staff and leaders, but you might not be the guy who gets called when a church member is dying. Are you comfortable with passing off important ministry opportunities to other staff members and leaders? If not, that’s OK, but it probably means that you shouldn’t be seeking out larger ministry platforms.
Here’s a truth-bomb for you: God is much more interested in your faithfulness than your fame. Before you seek to expand your platform, dig in to Jesus. Disciple those around you, preach the Word, and bring sinners to the Savior. God may never give you a huge platform from which to minister, but that doesn’t make you less in the Kingdom of God.
