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?
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?
9 Comments:
Great thoughts, thanks for sharing!
I find myself struggling with the same kinds of thoughts regarding influence... how to balance quantitative and qualitative influences... when and how to pursue different avenues of influence... where is God in all of it...
I read a quote in another blog from McManus that read, "If anonymity was the price you would have to pay for significance, would it be too great a price?" I think all of us would like to be known for our influence, but is that why we influence? Some more thoughts to throw in... For some of us, influencing others becomes more of an uncontrollable obsession rather than a desire... not sure if that is bad or not :)
Mark,
You mention a statistic that our organization has wrestled with as well: that, when it comes to preaching, "people forget 95% of what they hear after 24 hours."
While at first that can seem to be, as you mention, "downright depressing."
However, we're starting to think this isn't so - especially when you begin to ask the question, "what, exactly, is in that 5%?"
As I reflect on my own experience as a congregant, I would attest to the reality that I do probably forget 95% of what is said.
BUT.
The 5% that I do remember usually is something that is completely power packed and life changing. Interestingly, I also find that it is often not the intended point of the sermon or talk, but rather a subpoint or even an offhanded spontaneous comment from the speaker.
Similar to the 80/20 rule - maybe 95 percent of the influence in your speaking comes through 5 percent of the content...which just might be okay.
I suppose this just confirms the fact that having true influence means staying connected to the Great Influencer Himself and letting Him define the kind of influence we'll have.
Good stuff.
Influence, I believe is relational in nature. The longer the relationship, the greater the qualitative influence. Tozer's works have begun for you a relationship with him that has had you yearning to come back read more nurturing the relationship with him, albeit literary. Some authors write some good works but fail to maintain a continued desire to know them better through their writings. Each of your writings should reveal even more of who you are, and hence create a desire within a reader to want read more, building a relationship with your readers; or them with you.
Pastors influence more through the long-term relationship they develop with their church, or lack thereof, than through any given sermon(s).
Your post almost sounds like an introductory chapter to a book. (wink)
Man, you got me thinking! Good stuff.
Mark,
I really appreciate your thoughts about influence. I, like you, have various types of influence -- Dad, pastor, preacher, friend. You have helped me by putting these in terms of qualitative and quantitative influence. Those are helpful terms. Both of them are important, but if they can be combined they can be powerful. That can lead to transformation in people's lives.
You mentioned preaching and how people forget so much (so discouraging when we work so hard at it), but the quantitative effect does work. If we can offer the highest possible quality as well. the combination may just lead to spiritual transformation and perhaps quicker than without quality.
I've not been a reader of your blog for long, but you are influencing me as I read it. Thank you for writing your blog. You are influencing me for the work I do in my kingdom assignment, just as you did today!
Blessings and Happy Thanksgiving!
Vito,
Your thoughts on writing were priceless. I needed to hear that. Can't even express how much that comment impacted me at a deep level.
Mark
Finding a strong influence during the holiday season. I want you to check out thegiftrevolution.com
Sarah
Mark
Your books, blog, and podcast are answering the prayer of 2 Thess 3.1, which says,"pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you."
So I can respond with a loud, "YES," to Your question, "Does a podcast make the same qualitative difference in a person's life?"
It is not a coincidence that God has you preaching during this technological age we live in...it is a God-Incidence that He us using you via podcasting/webcasting...I know if my relationship with Jesus has improved exponentially because of His voice through yours, than many others have had the same experience as well...
Thanks for having your "5th location" as part of the technology revolution!!
God save you and grant you success! (Psalm 118.25)
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