5. Thinking everybody will love, remember and apply my really great, God-anointed, exegetically sound sermons.
I used to think that a well-crafted sermon I spent 25 hours preparing would light up the hearts and minds of those who were in church that day.
Unfortunately, the mind can only absorb so much, and if those who listen to my sermons get and apply one insight, they are doing well.
I’ve sense tried to find ways to make a few cogent points really stick through brain-based communication insight.
6. Failing to realize the concept of “uninformed optimism.”
The bell curve of change tells us that initially those in a church tend to be excited about a positive new idea or initiative. It’s called uninformed optimism.
In the listeners’ minds, the idea initially seems really great. However, that optimism often only lasts until they realize what the change may cost them (inconvenience, more money, etc.).
That new phase is called informed pessimism. I’ve since learned to prepare myself for some eventual pushback when the realities of the change finally set in.
Tempering my expectation has helped me manage my disappointment when the resistance comes.
What dumb and dumber mistakes have you seen other leaders make?
