Before you put this aside that you are not a pastor, will you consider with me what it means for you to be relevant and influential in a location you find yourself?
As a young person, perhaps one of the less emphasized matters of concern in your life as a Christian is your power of influence over other people. In many ways, we would like to think of ourselves as small, but you must understand that you have the highest level of energy to influence anything, whether good or bad.
In this article, let me show you how to use your youthful energy to influence positive changes in anywhere you have found yourself.
Going through the book of Mark, one thing you find consistently about Jesus’ ministry was crowd and multitudes. Every move he makes seem to generate great attention from people in the different quarters of the city where he was, and they always flood wherever he was ministering. What was his secret? How can we do the same? How can we make our cities our congregation? Let me give you a few points…
FIND A NEED AND MEET IT.
God gives each of us visions because there is a gap in people’s lives that needs to be filled. Look around you and find a need your vision can amply provide solutions to and the whole city will be gathered at your doorstep. Focus on a particular hurt and cure it; find an ill in society and figure out how to solve it. Naturally, a big vision attracts a big follower-ship. Mark 1:29-33
INCREASE YOUR VISIBILITY
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gave a very powerful advertising message. Unknown to many, they apply this to Christian life alone, while in its real context, it means advertising.
Luke 8:16-17 “No one lights a lamp and hides it in a jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, he puts it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light.”
What Jesus is saying is that if you are sure of the power and radiance of the light you have, you will not let it shine at just the small corner you are in. You will put it where everybody can see it. This is where creative media services are needed. Build a powerful brand. It is both your unique selling proposition and your promise statement. Stand yourself out from the crowd.
In my profession as a brand consultant, there is what we call brand positioning. It is a value statement consistently communicated that shows your advantage. Show everybody what you have, and they will come seeking it. Mark 2:1-2
No matter what you think, when people hear your name, they conjure up some association with it. When people see you, some emotional response gets evoked. Like it or not, you (and your good name/reputation) truly are a brand.
Innovation and creativity can never be over-emphasized.
The message of the gospel never changes, but methods do -in fact, with each generation. In your quest to do better than yourself, you must find ways to re-invent whatever you have been doing. Don’t just sit there and say we have this style working, expose yourself to newer and more creative approach.
FORGE IMPORTANT RELATIONSHIPS.
People do business with people they know. The kingdom of God grows in a web effect manner. People reach people to reach people. Like my mentor will say, “Money flows through relationships.” I believe dominance and relevance has an attachment to relationship too. If you are a minister, only people that know you and attest to what you have that can invite you to their church to minister.
THE FORCE OF THE ANOINTING.
Grace is God’s ability coming upon your ability to enable you do what you could not do before God’s ability came upon your ability. Even if you don’t have the capacity to announce yourself by increasing your visibility, the anointing can do that for you if you will pay the price of the anointing which is simply consecration. Luke 4 describes Jesus after his 40 days of consecration that his fame went about into every city, town and village round about him. He had not preached a single message nor done a miracle but the anointing announced him. It is the same for us, Jesus laid the example. I have a friend who is a powerful musician potentially, but has refused to pay the anointing price. In fact his Blackberry has become his undoing. He is so attached to his BB that he doesn’t have time to pray anymore.
Deut 34:9
And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the LORD commanded Moses.
Josh 1:3-5
I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates — all the Hittite country — to the Great Sea on the west. No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.
This march makes it 2 years and 3 months that I stepped into Makurdi, and this is the same principles I have operated with. There are several places I have not been to yet, but my name is recognized there. I told one of my friends that what I know is “where the carcass is, there the eagles gather.” If you will apply these principles in your life, you will be a force to be reckoned any time, any day, anywhere.
I am your friend,
Dayo Samuel
