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Frank Viola | Beyond Evangelical
Official Blog of Author & Speaker Frank Viola. Digging below the surface and moving beyond the shallows in today's Christianity.
The Peril of Measuring Yourself Against Others
My Spanish Bruthas and Sistas
This is a really good read. I’ve been impressed lately that it’s possible to reach a lot of people but not have that much of an impact on any of them. On the flip side, it’s possible to contact one person at a time and have a great impact on their lives. The first scenario is enticing, but there’s something about ministering Christ to people one on one that really seems to please the Lord.
At the very least, I can say that I’ve been personally touched by the Lord lately to have more thought, concern, and care for the ones he’s placed around me. It doesn’t do much good to be on Twitter if we don’t minister Christ to the people God has put in our lives.
Thanks for the great post. I look forward to reading more.
This one is FABULOUS! Totally on point-and FUNNY! Thanks again, Frank!
This is a very good article! I’m a writer myself and I know the value of people reading your work and appreciating what you have done for them. I never wanted to write for fame or fortune, only to give people a different perspective on an issue. I’ve gone through a lot in my walk in order to understand things on the level that I currently can. I simply want people to see the same things that I saw.
thanks for sharing, Frank. as a new blogger, i think i needed to hear this. keep sharing this practical wisdom. you are making a difference in my life. and i think my life counts! 🙂
I would say it a bit differently. The truth is, I agree that I’m not looking for just numbers, I’m looking for a core group of people who share my vision. But the bigger that number, the more influence you have. Certainly face to face communication (the guys in the boat with Jesus) matters most. But you can’t dismiss an ardent group who follow you on a social media platform. These are people who have intentionally signed up to follow your message and are actively seeking out what you have to say on issues. That kind of influence can’t be dismissed….
I don’t think we disagree. Though I’m not sure that the counts accurately measure the level of influence. For instance, in my observation, some people with 1,000 Twitter followers are more influential than some with 30,000. A lot depends on how they got those followers and why those people are following them. Even so, my main caution is the temptation to obsess over these stats and numbers and/or tie one’s value and identity to them. But I agree w/ you on sharing a vision and message with a group of people who “get it” and trying to reach as many people as possible with it. I’m down wit dat.
Yep. Good point. Every scale is different, so don’t believe your press…. 🙂
It’s been a while since I visited here, Frank. Someone on Twitter (no pun intended) posted a link to this so I popped on over to read it due to the title. Spot on, as usual, with nothing to disagree with at all. A topic I’ve been struggling with as I strive to serve God. I was putting the two together … successfully serving God/number of people paying attention. The numbers did indeed leave me depressed. TY for a great post.
Well said. I really like the idea of impacting 25 people deeply. Although I would like to be able to say I sold a book 100,000 times too 😉
Thanks for this awesome reminder. I don’t even check the numbers anymore, even though my non profit spreading joy is almost completely dependent on social media.
often the “numbers” are depressing but when you look past the numbers and at the conversations that are happening, the friendships that are being built and the fun that is being had…then you have treasure indeed.
When you take that treasure and turn it into a beacon for Jesus, allow HIM to do what HE will with it and then just remain available to reach out and care.
I’m always happy to help others, share links and be a blessing to others on social media.
Reaching the world is a lot easier than it ever has been. We should stop competing and work hand in hand.
[extends hand]
i’m with you guys!!
{hugs}
@spreadingJOY
Thank you, brother, for reminding us of what is truly important…Christ.
THANK YOU!!!!! I loved reading this from an author who has the ‘fame’ & ‘followers’ and understands what a trap it can be!!
Our value & security are found in HIM alone!!
How God chooses to us each of us is simply that — HIS choice! Imagine the nerve of the bowl or spoon taking pride in how useful they are — that’s the work that the Potter did – the spoon & bowl did not create themselves!! and they are of NO use unless the potter picks them up and uses them! So again – it takes HIM doing the work.
Although I lusted after influence, popularity, followers for quite a few years — I thank and praise God for not giving me what I thought I wanted. Instead He was preparing me for something really really really really… ‘small’ 🙂 and yet totally HUGE!! Being a wife, mom to 3 adorable blessings, sister, daughter & neighbor.
I couldn’t be more thankful for what He has (and is) molding me into…..
the only time I am NOT thankful and have that lust feeling or envy of those who have been molded into a tool that is of more known use… is when my eyes are off of Jesus & on to self.
Surprisingly, I had never joined Klout, so I had no idea what that part was about…and soooo I joined. I found out my score is a 59, but I don’t know what that means, either. Ha!
The apostles didn’t have social media and their reach extended despite distance, and it extended through thousands of years. I agree that it’s not at all about your social media clout, but it can all be used as a tool in God’s hands.
Plus, I am well aware that people can easily live without my flower photos and daily posts about dresses. 😉
59 . . . you’re killin’. But who are you again? 🙂 Yes, they are great tools and building a platform is important for an author/speaker or anyone who has a message. But the caution I’m throwing out in this piece relates to keeping things in perspective and not obsessing over the numbers and stats.
Interesting, I tweeted this post to several very influential people. Only one of them retweeted it. It was a Christian sister with a large audience, bless her heart. She won my respect big time. May her tribe increase! You never know what may transpire in the next few days. I don’t give up on anyone . . .
Frank hope I’m not wrong by saying this but ever since I read your books and follow you on twitter and such you have become a household name, I been blessed beyond words can express by your service. I don’t know you but I in a way feel that I do and others I know are starting to know you. Keep up the good work.
Thanks for the encouragement, brother. I love Jesus. My life is given to encourage the Lord’s people. Thank you for your kind words. I’m humbled and deeply honored. All glory to HIM (Psalm 115:1).
I recognize that my website and blog will never be real popular, so I’m not active on the social media platforms. Once in a while I get someone to leave a message in my Guestbook or leave a comment regarding a post on my blog, but I often wonder how the other viewers are responding to my statements. I appreciate your perspective on this matter, but I think that most writers still want some personal word of encouragement that their effort does make a difference, probably with more than one reader. So I ask, how can I stimulate a dialogue with more of my readers? Your answer to that question would be very helpful. Thanks.
Yes, encouragement is a wonderful thing. I wrote on this in a previous post, in fact. Bob, see my “Advice for Bloggers” post. You may get some ideas. One of them is to ask a question after you post. Another is to update one’s blog design and platform. I also encourage people to use Twitter. Just don’t obsess over the counts and stats. You can find the post on the right-hand side under “Popular Posts.”
Amen. If you know that God loves you totally, it don’t matter what others think of you. I am actually having to learn to live in that truth at this very moment!!!!
My numbers only mean something on pinterest… followers pin chocolate.
Thankful for His words through you.
Brilliant! Thanks Frank it’s good to hear that.
When I was in “full time ministry” pastoring it was always about the numbers! I got so sick of it, everyone trying to outdo the other and how you were made to feel a failure if you weren’t “cutting it!”
But, now I can say, “I am free indeed!” the Son set me free. I love your books, I’ve read all of them and they have been liberating… confirming to me what I had found in the scriptures.
Keep it up Frank, your voice is needed… again, love to have you come to Australia…
Agape and Blessings.
This reminds me of when Jesus had the highest Klout score and then he spoke the hardest words and many left Him {John 6:66). If someone who has influence from God uses it to promote themselves and keep that following then in many cases they are mis-using that authority. When we are called to speak a “hard” word just as you did Frank in this post that validates also that God has given that calling to you.
Thank you for speaking this out in love but also with a good serious tone. Sadly this is a problem many struggle with and have a mixed perception of what the kingdom of God is and how God is glorified. I have struggled before with these things in my heart. It is so wonderful to be free of what people think of you and to simply share what the spirit says to your heart with others.
This is one of the best blog posts I have read on thinking of yourself with wise judgement and not to think of yourself higher then you are! We are all just “servants”. You are appreciated brother Frank.
If I measured my worth by my number of blog visitors, I should have committed suicide by now! 🙂
I have spent a week with good Christian friends and away from my blog snd I couldn’t care less.
Great Word, Brother Frank!
Thanks, Frank. I’ve just started a new blog, and this is good reminder of what’s truly important, before I get too far into things.
I very much enjoy this. I always think about Acts 19. The entire region of Asia minor was transformed in less than 2 years without phones, computers, or social media. The power of the relational gospel.
Great post Frank! Just one thing… you’ve got to reveal the secret to getting a large Twitter following! Haha:)
Thanks Frank. Your blog is worth reading. I don’t give my attention to very many.
Wow. I needed this today.
Great encouragement and validation…to write / blog / speak out of obedience to God’s calling without concern for status or measured usefulness. I loved this “….It will be real people with real faces whom God graciously chose to touch through us.”
Who am I to determine the number of people God has planned for me to influence for His kingdom. I am just here to do His will…and one person touched, if that was His plan, is as important as 1,000+ touched. I just need to write / blog / speak out of obedience ~ He’ll take care of the numbers and I’ll be blessed with His words “well done my faithful servant”.
Thanks for the great encouragement today!!
I perused 19 extremely grateful compliments and couldn’t help noticing some irony. This is a blog–and I found you retweeted on Twitter.
Appreciated nevertheless.
I don’t see the irony. the point he’s making is that all of these analytic crunching tools and counts don’t really measure influence and focusing on them or being addicted to them keeps the focus on yourself. He’s not saying that social media is bad or blogs or twitter shouldn’t be used. I actually needed to read this today.
Frank,
I never have taken up the social networks and this article gives me another reason to stay off of them. There are already enough distractions in our lives that turn our attention away from Christ. We need to understand our Eternal life will be centered around Christ and the more we learn to do it now the easier it will be for us when we are with Him.
P.S. I loved your “hand in the glove” analogy. It has helped make “Christ in us” more of a reality.
I would just like to take the opportunity to thank you Frank. Keep on doing what you are doing and even if the numbers and stats look good, so what? Your ministry has impacted my life like you won’t believe. Through you I have had the privilege of learning from other men of God like Milt Rodriguez and Jon Zens, which otherwise I wouldn’t have known about. And I know I’m not speaking for myself.
May your influence increase. If it means that your statistics look good, so be it! 🙂
Frank,
It’s as if you wrote this post for me. I know you didn’t, but I felt each word of it bring me edification and thankfulness.
I let go of the stat obsession some time ago when I realized my blog had become an idol. After repenting of that, I experienced great freedom…and wouldn’t you know, huge blog growth.
However, while I love blogging and would miss it if it all stopped tomorrow, the greatest encouragement I have ever received has been in the small group of people I share life with–my organic church, my family.
We are those, filling up the small rowboat, sitting at Jesus feet, listening and obeying with eyes and hearts wide open. And that is all I really crave.
I laughed at your advice about Klout. I am not very influential in “big-bloggy-land” and I have a Klout score over 60. No idea how I got it except that I am on every social media platform known to man!
But most of that is pure fluff- it because of the dedicated readers who tell me that they love reading my stuff and it makes them think that keeps me doing this.
Thanks for sharing Frank!
I was doing some lawn work and I saw a life lesson in the weeds I was pulling up. The shallow rooted weeds reached the farthest, but they were the easiest to uproot. I started thinking about social media and life in general. I hope my life has the deep roots, in Christ and in community.
I couldn’t agree with you more. I’ve been ministering “online” since the mid 90s due to extreme illness which kept me ” housebound” for years on end. It wasn’t how I wanted to do things but I worked with what I had. Phone calls, letters, and email were how people communicated most back then. I miss those days. Not the weeks and months spent in hospitals but the times when there weren’t all these crazy “tools'” that not only prompt but promote comparison. competition, and a false sense of obedience to God.
For months I’ve been comparing my current life to my life before social media. The longer I do that the more I don’t like what I see. What to do about it, I haven’t decided. But this post brings confirmation in several areas.
Thank you.
Thanks, Frank. Good word on the numbers game. David counting the people, etc. I’m glad i receive your daily blog! I used to get periodic articles. I’m not sure how it became daily at my end but I’m glad it did. John
Thank you for the good, solid advice. We all need to be reminded of the many ways in which we can reach others for Christ, and sometimes He uses the most humble means to accomplish His purposes.
That said, I’m really glad someone like you has influence in the book world. We need it!!
Thanks Dale. Appreciate the kind words on my post. How did you find this blog?
A great post, Frank. My observation is that some of us do pretty well in modest circumstances, but that an increase of influence awakens a little monster in us – like Hal/Titan in Megamind. So even if we do not seem overly ambitious under normal circumstances, we should not be fooled in thinking that we are truly humble or immune to what you’ve described above. Perhaps it’s not worth comparing yourself to others (or too painful) when you’re not even in the race, but the moment you become a serious contender the ego manifests itself.
Frank, thank you for using your influence to say this. You’re so right. As an aspiring writer, I’m ashamed to say that ‘ve been fighting this popularity contest for as long as I’ve been writing/blogging. I’ve been working HARD against my own flesh in this area for at least two years, and FINALLY feel that I have some sense of victory. But I stopped blogging for about 3 months in order to get it under control and stop the noise so I could hear from the Lord a direction for my writing. It was hard won & worth it. I’m still tempted from time to time. But I’m finally resting in what God has given me and forever thankful that my heart was revealed and restored.
Blessings!
Thank-you again Frank for this encouraging word. I can’t say that I have really measured myself against others in this way, but I certainly recognize the temptation to do so. I am thankful for you and others who share their thoughts openly although I do not always take time to say so. The written word is powerful indeed but there are many who still do not use the mediums of modern technology. They are arguably those who most need to near the message of the Gospel, as given by the Holy Spirit on His Facebook page,The Bible..so seemingly old-fashioned ways are still the best in my book! Gossiping the Gospel face to face over a meal or whatever venue we find ourselves in…God will use us in all and every circumstance to love others if we are willing, listening and ready…
One reason I follow you is purely selfish: I can trust to pass it on…you put it so much better than I can. Many thanks for that!
For sure, God expresses Himself by humble means. Just as Jesus was born in a stable, He is being, and desires to be, expressed by His seemingly insignificant people. As John the Baptist said, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” He is doing this–increasing His glory, decreasing our natural idea of growth, progress and success. Our human systems of religion, tied to business and government techniques, fade as we learn to pursue Jesus minus our agendas.
I hope it is encouraging to you that Jesus is shining through by your online example.
Thank you for this perspective. Writing is like any other ministry. We can’t measure impact by the numbers in the audience.
I had been thinking about this very thing recently and had it in my mental to-write list (not a good place to have it, though, as it tends to get misplaced there). When I do get around to writing it, I’ll definitely be referencing this post for it!
I had to laugh at Klout recently, because I got an alert that I was influential about pizza. Uh huh.
Thanks for the reminder.
Man I needed to hear this today. Glad you mentioned your counts because if not I would have thought this was a sour grapes rant. Makes your point that much stronger.
So, what you’re saying is… don’t do crack? 😉 Love ya, Frank.
Bingo. Thanks for “getting” it.
Excellent! I always appreciate how you put the focus on God and our relationship to Him in areas we easily lose sight of. As someone who measures my statistics regularly the last questions hit home. This is a great balance and caution to all the attention on building platforms and leading with influence today.