Is It Just Me?
February 15th, 2007 | by Scott |I have a strange question. I have an incredible abhorrence of self-promotion or being in any way presumptuous.
I won’t go to anyone’s home uninvited.
I can’t make myself home at anyone’s home other than mine or my parents.
I tend to avoid any in-depth discussions on other people’s blogs unless I’ve known them for awhile (and I would never make my first comment on someone’s blog one of disagreement.)
I have a great hesitance to intrude or impose my way of doing things on anyone else.
So here is my question. When I was a youth minister in Albuquerque I was responsible for putting on a youth rally each summer. While making the schedule I would not even consider making myself a keynote speaker or even teach a class. My approach was that it was not a venue for me to be on display.
Is that too extreme? When I consider going to seminars and conferences I sometimes bristle when the same people give themselves the marquee time each year. And I will consider going somewhere else.
I seriously want to know if that is just me. Is my reluctance to be presumptuous dictating the way I think others should be? I need some feedback. I have people tell me regularly that we should hold a “gospel meeting” so more people can hear me speak. That idea is just unfathomable to me (on several levels). I need to know if I should just lighten up.
Thanks.
9 Responses to “Is It Just Me?”
By terri on Feb 15, 2007 | Reply
I make a big deal of the Terri Show but I, too, hate dropping in on someone else and I don’t like them dropping in on me in most cases.
However, about the Gospel Meeting thing (I can’t believe you said that) I think it’s that people want to hear God through you. People have been blessed and want others to share that… maybe?
By Politics and Culture on Feb 15, 2007 | Reply
As to seminars and conferences, I think it depends on the person and the event. For years at the Tulsa Workshop, Terry Rush and Marvin Philipps would alternate doing the Saturday night keynote (depending on which congregation was hosting that year). Saturday night the crowd is a lot smaller as many folks have to get home for Sunday. It seemed appropriate for them to speak.
On the other hand, some of these seminars and conferences need to get some fresh blood. I am tired of hearing the same speakers over and over again. I have heard every corny Jeff Walling story twice! He’s a good speaker and all, but he needs to take a 2 year sabbatical from speaking at conferences.
By Steve Duer on Feb 15, 2007 | Reply
It is interesting that Walling has been speaking at some Ind. Christian conferences and they love his stories. They start telling me about them and I am finishing them in my head. Still a powerful speaker.
By Scott on Feb 15, 2007 | Reply
Terri, I think so. But I’m not planning a “gospel meeting” any time soon.
I agree about fresh blood. It seems that there are many talented voices out there that aren’t being utilized.
By Donna on Feb 15, 2007 | Reply
I feel much the same way about self promotion and going to people’s houses uninvited….but I think Gospel Meetings have gone the way of 8 track tapes…they are a designer classic.
Share your podcast, host a seminar, speak at the least popular time or just be a witty host.
By Scott on Feb 15, 2007 | Reply
I really wasn’t writing about hosting a gospel meeting. It was more going to other events where the planner puts themselves on center stage.
By matt elliott on Feb 15, 2007 | Reply
I think you & I have similar hangups. As a worship-leading guy, I’ve been encouraged for YEARS to make CDs. All I know to say is, “I’m not one of the CD guys.”
And yes, it’s increased my tendency to judge the motives of others sometimes. I just keep telling myself that such tendencies do not come from holy places within me. Who am I to judge another’s servant? But I’m still tempted.
By Scott on Feb 15, 2007 | Reply
Matt, thanks for that. I’m glad to know I’m not alone. It’s important for me to keep that perspective.
By JTB on Feb 17, 2007 | Reply
I think it’s a question of purpose, and tied to that, audience.
If the purpose is edification of the Christian community(ies) that already exist, and the audience is drawn from other CofC churches in the area (like a lectureship or something), then yes, I think it could easily be self-serving to place oneself in the spotlight. But if the purpose is to reach out to the surrounding local unchurched community in a public way, and the audience is people who you hope would be drawn back to your community and the people who form it, then it’s entirely appropriate to make yourself as visible and available as you can. The question is really what serves your purpose and ministers to your audience in the best way.