The Question Every Church Leader Should Be Asking

"What would it take for you to believe in yourself down to your very toes?" - Laurie Beth Jones (Jesus:CEO) 

by Tim H. Swanson

In her book, Jesus: CEO, Laurie Beth Jones recounts a seminar she attended where the speaker asked people who believed in themselves 100% to raise their hands. She says only two people raised their hands. The speaker went on to lower the percentage. She observes that most people raised their hands when the speaker got to 75%.

Today in the church, there is an epidemic of unbelief. It's not unbelief in God that's the problem. If people didn't believe in God they wouldn't work at a church. There are too many easier ways to make a living. The issue today is that people don't believe in themselves. Our churches are staffed with people who have endless faith in the power of Jesus, but when it comes to his power being in them the belief meter drops off.

The truth is, to be effective leaders in our culture, we have to believe 200%. We have to begin with 100% belief in God. His Spirit is our single source of empowerment, so we had better begin with wholehearted

reliance on it. However, once God has empowered us to do great things, we also have to believe 100% in ourselves. He certainly is the one who accomplishes all that is good on this earth. But never forget, He wants to work through us. That self belief is vital for two reasons. First, when we question our own ability, we are directly questioning the God who has empowered us. Secondly, when we lead with uncertainty and self-consciousness we avoid risk, the thing that we need to accomplish greatness by reaching unbelievers with the Gospel.

Let me ask you, how much do you believe in yourself? What is your disbelief, in yourself, keeping you from doing? Who in your life is suffering because you don't believe in yourself?

Ultimately, Laurie's question is the main point. "What would it take for you to believe in yourself down to your very toes?"