Amazon started off as an online bookstore that revolutionized the way we shop and buy books. However, over time they started getting away from their core business and invested in other ideas. It started with the Kindle and other online products which were huge successes. But, over time, they started dabbling in more and more things such as video content and phones which ended up not being so successful (the phone was an utter disaster). These investments distracted it from it’s core business and caused many people to wonder if they were making a big mistake because they were getting away from what they were great at.
Amazon’s loss of focus on it’s main business can happen to ministers as well. Whenever we start a ministry, we have a focus and a purpose. However, over time, we can lose sight of that purpose and focus on other areas that do not necessarily fit into our overall purpose. It’s easy to do, I’ve done it numerous times.
The problem is when you get distracted and lose focus, it’s hard to get back on track to your main purpose. For instance, ministers will go to a conference or see something on YouTube and feel that THEY now have to do what this person or group is doing. That whatever they were doing is not right anymore and they have to do it a different way and change course. Although what they want to do may be good, sometimes it may not line up with their purpose and honestly, most of the time we can’t emulate what they saw effectively.
Wait Tom! Are you saying I can’t be exactly like Craig Groeschel or Rick Warren?
Um…unfortunately yes. They are great, but they are also one of a kind. Let’s stop pretending to be someone else and just stick to what YOU are great at and do it. If you are great at shepherding…shepherd. If you are great at funny videos….do funny videos. If you are great at teaching….teach.
When you stick to what you are good at 2 things happen:
- You excel because of your gifting
- You allow others to excel because of their gifting
NO! Of course not. We should always continue to strive to get better in everything we do. We don’t want to stink at life. But as much as this is a blow to your ego, we shouldn’t try to do everything great just because. Just as Amazon should have left the phone making business to the tech guys who can make phones, we should continue to excel and be great at what we are great at and let some other ministers or creative geniuses be great in other areas so that more and more people can come to know God.
God has given you gifts and talents to be used for your particular ministry. Continue to excel in ministry utilizing those gifts and stop trying to be someone you are not.
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