Potential is Overrated

As a pastor, I'm frequently asked by members, "My dream is to be on staff someday. Can you tell me how to get there?" Or I've been approached by others who say, "Have you thought about hiring this person over here? They are so talented."

Here are my thought processes when it comes to talent:

1. Attitude trumps potential every time. Talent and potential are over-rated. All of us know many stories that go like this, "It's such a shame. Did you hear about X? And they were so talented." Loads of talent are on the trash heap of life. But a great attitude? Now that's worth something. Attitudes like: flexibility, humble, cooperative, diligent, persevering. If someone complains, it's like cancer. Give me someone who is less talented and doesn't complain or grumble.

2. If they aren't faithful with 10 people, they won't be faithful with 1,000. They might have great potential, but if they can't faithfully follow-through with the one thing you've asked them to do, what makes you think they will follow-through with ten things? "But I think they could develop." That's great. But when you have a big need in a church ministry, you don't have time to teach them faithfulness. They need to learn that before you appoint them.

3. Test the potential. This is related to the previous point. I test potential by giving them an event, an opportunity, a challenge that is limited in scope and time frame. If they do well, it is a good sign that they can be trusted with more. This is scriptural. NEVER entrust the precious commodity of people to someone who has not been tested.

"But let these also first be tested ; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless." (1 Timothy 3:10) NKJV

4. Don't forget the most underrated quality: perseverance. Talent is overrated. Potential is overrated. Looks are overrated. The ability to persevere through tough times is underrated.

There you have it. That's my thoughts today on potential.

Christmas in July

I have to brag on some of our SummerS.A.L.T. troops. It's so wonderful to hear what our folks are participating in around the city. From D.C. Cafe, to Sunshine Mission, to handing out water at the parks--so many are serving in practical ways.

The picture here shows some real stars in my book. Jay Duncan had a vision to distribute 10,000 Feed My People bags and collect what we could to fill the pantries of this great organization that feeds the needy. After handing out the bags, this group collected enough food to fill over 300 banana boxes, about 2,000 bags!!!


Carol and John DeGuire, the directors, told me that this was the biggest amount of food ever collected for their pantry! They said, "It looks like Christmas around here!"

Rock on, SCCC! SummerS.A.L.T. is having a huge impact!