Just like many of us who have started or are in the process of starting new churches, Rick Warren had a call and a vision from God and that was about it! No people, no money, no building, no staff...his first "member" was the real estate agent that helped Kay and him find an affordable apartment to rent.
It's easy for you and me to look at Rick's success, or any other leader's success, and be enamored by it. But there is a back story that goes with every success story. Like you and me, Rick had to make some tough decisions early on that helped define who he is and how God would use him.
My question: What's the hardest lesson that young leaders need to learn as early as possible?
Rick's answer: Get over yourself - it gets easier after that. I had my mid-life crisis at 26 after I passed out during the last sermon of Saddleback's first year. I was trying my hardest to grow the church...to draw a crowd...and it was killing me. I had to be perfect, the church had to be perfect, everything had to be perfect. I was afraid to make a mistake.
But when you get over yourself, you're not afraid to make mistakes. And that's a good thing. It's good to have some early losses because you learn you're not perfect. Every major decision I have ever made has been made in fear, but I've done it anyway. Courage is not the absence of fear...it's doing what you're supposed to do in spite of the fear.
You have to decide if you want to impress people or impact people. You impress people at a distance, but you impact people up close. Impacting means you have to be over yourself enough to let people see your warts...and your heart.
What a great answer..."get over yourself - it gets easier after that." Love it! It's so easy to get caught up in trying to be the next smash hit church planter, pastor, blogger, speaker, etc. that before we know it, we're full of ourselves at the expense of the Holy Spirit. I am as guilty as the next guy.
Stuff like this from a leader like Rick Warren is pure gold. How do Rick's words challenge and encourage you?
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