Losing influence by your own words …

“Awesome!”
“Epic!”
“Off the hook!”
“Crazy!”
“Crushed it!
“… MUST not miss …”
“… nothing like it …”

Those are just a few of the words or phrases that have become rather common among church leaders. In fact, the language leaders use is increasingly riddled with such hyperbole.

And it’s this type of hyperbole that can lessen the power of their words, and thus the level of their influence.

When a leader so consistently laces his speech with words that really are overly charged, it becomes difficult to trust what the leader says. For example, every church service isn’t “crazy.”; every Bible study isn’t “epic”; and every worship service isn’t “off the hook.” Well, maybe they are to you, but they aren’t always considered that way by the people you lead.

Sometimes, a sermon is simply good; a Bible study is simply enlightening; and a worship service is simply moving for those you lead. Yet, when you constantly use hyperbole to motivate your people, and their experience is consistently less than what you describe, people begin to question what you say because your words seem unreliable. Your words lose power, and you lose influence.

Jesus was the greatest leader and teacher ever, yet His words were very simple and completely reliable. Let me encourage you to consider more closely the words you choose. It’s understandable that you’re excited about the opportunities for your people to grow, but try to use words that motivate honestly. It will make you more trustable to those who listen, and thereby build your influence.

Scotty