So is success…empty?
Why is it that the highs we all experience when we succeed at something never seem to outlast the lows or the hollowness that comes afterward?
Derwin Gray has more than a little experience with that emotional journey.
From making millions in the NFL, to leading one of America’s fastest growing churches, best-selling author Derwin Gray shares how success disappoints, and also explains how he’s positioned his church plant in Charlotte to reach thousands across racial boundaries.
Welcome to Episode 13 of the podcast.
Guest Links: Derwin Gray
Derwin Gray at Transformation Church
Transformation Church on Facebook
Transformation Church on Twitter
Links Mentioned in this Episode
Limitless Life: You Are More Than Your Past When God Holds Your Future by Derwin Gray
Hero: Unleashing God’s Power in a Man’s Heart by Derwin Gray
Coming Soon – The High Definition Leader: Building Multi-Ethnic Churches in a Multi-Ethnic World by Derwin Gray
The Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast archive
Kenny and Elle Campbell’s Youth Ministry Answers Podcast
3 Things You Can Do Right Away
Keeping your staff, volunteers and leadership honest in your church presents challenges. If you have people on your staff who are dependent upon you for their financial well being, they won’t always tell you about your blind spots. Here are three ways you can make sure your feedback circle stays honest and true when you’re successful:
- Have people around you who keep you grounded. Surround yourself with wisdom and maturity. Derwin says to keep people around you who have life experience, people who aren’t dazzled by something that’s new, but dazzled by something that’s true. When you have people who can point out mistakes, it creates a healthy environment that encourages Gospel integrity.
- Be approachable. Create an environment where dialogue and approachability are possible. Christians say they don’t want a pope or pastor, and they want a plurality of leaders, yet they think pastors do everything. Maintain the lane you stay in, but don’t act like a celebrity. Have conversations with church members, be a servant and help others.
- Establish what you look for in leadership, and make it multi-ethnic. Being a pastor is emotionally hard work; you take criticisms and shots. Derwin says Christians don’t understand the importance of ethnic diversity in church leadership because they’ve been raised on an individualistic, reductionist gospel. Jesus developed the church to embody His kingdom on earth, and it’s not a segregated kingdom. Don’t just let those of other ethnicities hold token positions, but encourage a multi-ethnic environment that offers variety.
Quotes From Derwin
I came to faith at the top of life because I got to the mountain top, and it scared me that this was it. @DerwinLGray. Click To Tweet NFL stands for Not For Long. It is a ruthless performance-based environment. @DerwinLGray Click To Tweet How can we speak to everybody if (church) is more segregated than a night club? @DerwinLGray Click To TweetCongratulations to our First Podcast Contest Winner!
First of all, a big THANKS goes to those of you who participated in our first podcast contest! Listeners left more than 100 comments in response to questions that related to each episode, and many of you gave new insights and fresh ideas that will help others lead.
Congratulations goes out to Joe Robideaux! Joe has won free admission to The Orange Conference 2015 and join me and Jon Acuff backstage for coffee!
Thank you again for participating in our first podcast contest. We enjoyed hearing from our listeners and readers and look forward to having more contests in the future, so stay tuned!
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Next Episode: Ryan Russell
Sex takes down more than its fair share of leaders and families. Why is sex so seductive? How do you open up an honest dialogue about sex with your church or with your kids? Episode 14 features my interview with xxx.church’s Ryan Russell.
