How Are You Leveraging Your Influence?

In this post I just wanted to share a really great piece from Ps Mark Batterson of National Community Church.
Ps Mark challenges us with how we leverage our influence. This is a question of great importance, so read up and please do leave a comment!



Over the last couple years I've been rethinking influence. As a pastor, I used to think in traditional categories. Influence = Attendance + Budget. Right? And I think those numbers are significant. But I also think the influence game has dramatically changed.

Just thought I'd share what is going on inside my head as I think about where to leverage influence in the coming year. Quantitatively, my blog is by far my avenue of greatest influence. Qualitatively, nothing comes close to my influence as a dad. But everything we do is a unique combination of quantitative and qualitative influence.

I think pastoring has a unique quantitative and qualitative dimension. Qualitatively, you get to be part of some of the most significant life moments--weddings, baptisms, funerals. That is uber-influence. And you have a touch point week in and week out via preaching. Yes, people forget 95% of what they hear after 24 hours! And that's downright depressing as a preacher. But I think there is a cumulative effect that results in transformation. I honestly can't remember all the meals I've eaten over the past year, but all of them sustained me and nourished me. That's how I think about preaching. I hope the spiritual diet we provide moves people toward spiritual health.

I think podcasting and webcasting are amazing ways to exponentially expand quantitative influence. Your congregation may only be twenty-five people, but you can influence twenty-five hundred via a podcast. Does a podcast make the same qualitative difference in a person's life? That depends on lots of factors. But here's the bottom line: If it's worth preaching it's worth podcasting. And the quantitative potential is amazing. I preached in 83 countries last year without going anywhere! How? Via webcast.

For me, writing books has become the primary vehicle of influence. Instead of influencing thousands, I can influence hundreds of thousands. And there is something unique about influencing someone via writing. I write with a sense of destiny. I really believe that one sentence or one paragraph or one page can change a person's life. And you can influence people after you die. Few people have influenced me as much as A.W. Tozer. I'm pretty sure he died before I was born. But his books outlive him and continue to influence.

One last thought. Not long ago, someone pitched the idea of putting together a TV pilot for a new network. Part of me dismissed it. That's not my thing. But when you think in terms of influence, it's a little more difficult to dismiss. I don't think Television has the same qualitative influence. But it's a form of influence that is still unrivaled quantitatively.

Just thinking out loud.

How are you leveraging your influence? Where can you experience the greatest influence qualitatively and quantitatively? Do you need to reallocate your time and energy? Or is there an influence opportunity you need to pursue?


To read other great posts by Mark Batterson click HERE

So what did you think? Are there some other unique ways to leverage your influence?
I look forward to your input!

Godspeed & Kaizan
Clive