I am a learner. And as such, I actually enjoy learning.
And when I started out as small groups pastor at Grace Community Church, I had no idea what I was doing. Some days, I still feel like that.
So I started looking for a tribe. I read books. Blogs. Twitter accounts. I went to conferences. Sent emails. Made phone calls. I just knew there had to be a tribe out there.
And I grew a ton through this process. But I got a myriad of no-responses. Or responses that went something like,
Well, I will be at this conference, and we can talk there…if you’re able to get to Dallas…tomorrow by 6 am.
I was just trying to build some relationships and learn from guys who had been blazing the path I was peering down.
The problem was that these guys were ‘too big’ for me. They were a bit too important to talk with a rookie in Tennessee. (although rock stars Heather Zempel, Alan Danielson, Mark Howell, and Rick Howerton (just to name a few) actually did take time to answer emails and phone calls…thanks guys!).
I never want to get so important that I can’t schedule time to talk with another person who wants to learn from my mistakes. I never want to be the big shot that can’t walk someone else through principles that have helped me grow as a young pastor.
If I ever get that ‘important’ I have done something wrong. The day that happens, please unfollow me on Twitter, block me on Facebook, and unsubscribe to my blog. I’m not worth following at that point.*
Pride goes before destruction,
and haughtiness before a fall.Better to live humbly with the poor
than to share plunder with the proud. – Proverbs 16:18-19
Will you give up the plunder with me?
*Note to future self: you’re not as awesome as you think you are.
