Your desperation is showing.
Mine too. It's natural to want to put ourselves out there. Whether it's a book, a blog, an event, a church plant...
But for many of our endeavors, aloofness draws more interest than aggressive promotion.
For example, you're more likely to speak at Catalyst if you're discovered... than if you ask.
One of the top web designers in Atlanta doesn't post a phone number or even his own name on his site. Won't return e-mails until he's free to do some work. And even then, he's got his pick of high-end clients. His portfolio speaks for itself. And his clients speak for his portfolio. Makes me want to work with him all the more.
We all have to "market" our organizations or ourselves in some way.
But we'd be more effective if we looked for ways not to seek... but to be sought out.
I believe that 100%. Just hard to stay in practice on when sometimes it seems the one with the loudest voice gets heard.
I'd much rather someone else toot my horn for me and that's why I try to make sure my work and my character enable that to happen.
There is also another layered issue in this. Shameless self promotion. When companies, organizations and people do things to be seen, as their real motive in doing. When they do good in the community because they want the PR value versus the true heart desire to serve a need. That's desperation at it's core. Desperation to be seen.
Posted by: Daniel Decker | February 16, 2009 at 10:40 AM
I agree with your post 100%. I have recently stopped blogging about any of my success in ministry. I have found that many blogs brag about there success in ministry. If God can find Moses after 40 yrs in the desert then God knows where I am in ministry. I may never be asked to speak at any conferences in my life time. That's just fine with me. As long as my light shines the brightest at home and abroad.
Posted by: Larry Rising | February 16, 2009 at 01:55 PM
very good words from both of you. thanks
Posted by: Ben Arment | February 16, 2009 at 05:10 PM
thats so true bro! Its incredible how many christians that are starting a ministry put their pictures and promote themselves as the last gurus of the Gospel. Make me sick. I just wanna be like Jesus man...that my works could talk so loud than my words. Good point!
Posted by: Pedro Infantas | February 16, 2009 at 11:27 PM
It's key to stay humble, confident, and serving... thanks for the encouragement Ben.
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