Chasing the Dream, Preaching Greatness, and Knowing Your Audience

"One of the greatest weaknesses we see from leadership in the church is not understanding the audience the leader is speaking to," says James Scott.

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One of the greatest weaknesses we see from leadership in the church is not understanding the audience the leader is speaking to.

Here's a big case in point:

Today, we often see and hear leaders take to a wide stage in front of a large congregation, where they routinely challenge people to "pursue greatness." That's a challenge Jesus did not spend time making to His followers, yet many church leaders today spend an inordinate amount of time on.

As a result, I've heard from many who sit through these messages and increasingly feel inadequate. They don't have "great dreams" of leading congregations, organizations, or corporations. Their gifts, talents, skills, interests, and direct leading from the Holy Spirit don't have anything to do with "pursuing greatness."

Instead, what these men and women see as doing something "great" is being the best parent they can be, working on having a great marriage that lasts, being a true and loyal friend to others, caring about the less fortunate and those in need around them, and doing their best to see and use opportunities to be a witness for Christ.

If they can pull that off well and consistently, they believe they will have done something great with their lives.

They are right!

They don't have the dream of leading thousands, writing a best-seller, standing in a spotlight on any stage, or having any celebrity status. Instead, they want to pursue the more modest "dreams" God has given them.

So why do these leaders continue to take the stage and challenge them to greatness?

Perhaps in their own preoccupation with, and pursuit of, greatness they have lost touch with who they are talking to.

Who are you talking to?

Editor's Note: Do you think there's a problem with encouraging your congregation to  "dream big" and pursue greatness for the kingdom? Is this a trend or something more substantial?