Over the years, I’ve been part of numerous conversations with leaders in churches, community institutions and other organizations who wanted to make changes and improve their effectiveness. These conversations often turn to what similar groups are doing and how much they spend on certain functions. Inevitably someone asks the question, “What is the average these other groups spend…the average number of volunteers assigned to various functions…the average this and the average that.” It’s as if what is “average” is a good goal to strive toward.
We often apply similar thinking to our work ethic, professional development, and spiritual growth. We compare ourselves to others and if we compare favorably…if we are as good as most…if we are average…we’re often satisfied.
In his autobiography Truett Cathy writes, “But look at what it means to be average. You are the worst of best and the best of the worst. You’re not achieving anything unusual, choosing instead to go with the flow.”
For those of us with leadership responsibilities, here are some questions.
- What kind of leader are we really being if we are usually ok with being average?
- What kind of leader should we want to be?
- What kind of leader are we being at this moment in our life?
- What kind of leader do we want to be?
There have been seasons in my life when I settled for average. What I’ve learned is that those were times when I was less effective and not growing very much. Those were lost seasons. I’m trying to expect more of myself in this current season of life. I’m rediscovering that such an attitude actually increases my enjoyment of life and ministry. It also increases my effectiveness.
I guess you could say that being average is not that much fun and is not a very lofty goal.
Pastor Steve Hogg
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