One of the great temptations of ministry is what I have heard referred to as Adrenaline Addiction. If we're not careful, the ministry (or any job or career, for that matter) can become this addictive sort of reality that sucks us in. This week I want to spent some time unpacking some thoughts on Adrenaline Addiction, what we do about it, and how we avoid it.
#1: There is a High that comes from Progress.
Great leaders are motivated by progress. We love to move the ball down the field. We love the thrill of putting points on the board in whatever arena we happen to be playing or leading. However, there is a dangerous side-affect connected to progress and that is the High that comes from it. So what do we do about it?
1. Recognize that Who we are is not determined by the Progress we make. Too many of us leaders love to wrap up our identity in the progress we're making. The problem with this logic is that, "If who we are depends on the progress we make, then when the progress slows down or ceases, we become less of a person." That's just not Scriptural. Period. We can't allow ourselves to think that way.
2. Recognize that success is a High with diminishing returns. Why is it that successes that used to get me excited as a leader, now disappoint me? How come last year's milestone, is this year's stepping stone? As leaders we've got to be wise enough to see that the high from progress is fleeting and then refuse to build our lives around it.
3. Recognize that it is God who got us here, & God who can remove us. I love the worship song that was popular about 5 years ago that said, "You give and take away... my heart will choose to say... blessed be the Name of the Lord." In other words, whether there's progress or not in the organization I'm leading, I have a choice to decide to bless and honor the Lord.
When we live there, we're making True Progress,
Just a bloggish thought,
Matt
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About
Matt Keller is the founding and lead pastor of Next Level Church in Fort Myers, FL. What began as 35 people in a movie theater has now grown into a prevailing and relevant church with over 2,000 regular attenders who are passionate about making a difference not only in Southwest Florida, but in churches across the USA. If you had to describe Matt in 90’s TV character terms, he would most resemble an extreme sugar version of Chandler Bing from the hit show Friends.
1 comments:
Matt,
I had the privelege of hearing your "Up the Middle" session at the All Access Conference in B'Ham (or was that "Down the Middle"?) . Anyhow - this blog reminds me of it -- thanks for the words of encouragement -- "permission to be yourself".
I also loved that song -- "blessed be the name" -- crazy -- but a beaten-down man named Job first said that with a relentless faith in a Redeemer he believed he would one day see face to face (and yet, another great song inspired from the mouth of Job about that same period of time as "Blessed be the Name" (My Redeemer Lives!)
Thanks for what you do --
God Bless!
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