When you’re making a ministry decision that’s beyond your level of capability and experience, it’s a natural tendency to start by asking:
What would (insert name of more successful/influential person) do?
When we have a person or church that we really look up to, either up-close or from a distance, we often attempt to make our own decisions by emulating their processes.

This is somewhat helpful, but equally limiting.
Let me suggest an alternate, enhanced version of this exercise.

Play the scenario out with several different people/ministries/businesses that you respect.  This will ensure that you get the benefit of various perspectives.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve played this imaginary game in my mind when facing a tough call.  I’ll try to imagine the response of several of my friends and mentors that I respect.  (Sometimes I even make my wife or staff play along.  It’s fun for the whole family!)

Of course, ultimately, my circumstances and calling are unique, and I must make my decisions based on God’s Word and the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
But imitating the faith of others (plural) can help spark that process.

One more disclaimer:  If you don’t know someone personally, be extra careful about basing your decision making on what they would do.
You don’t really know what they would do just because you listen to their podcast, follow their blog and own their books.  And I’m telling you man, there’s always more to the story.

Inspiration initiates life.  Imitation breeds frustration.
Wise decision makers work hard to stay on the right side of the line.

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.
-Romans 12:3

I consider myself a pretty faith-filled person.  I mean, I’m no George Mueller, but you don’t start a church from scratch without a good dose of active faith.
Still, from time to time, my faith supply runs really low.  And trusting God for even the simplest things seems like lifting 1000 pounds.  When that kind of deficiency kicks in, there’s only one thing to do:

Go borrow some faith.

Man, when I’m paralyzed by fear or doubt, I shamelessly mooch from people around me.  I start with my wife.  I ask her to talk some faith into me.  From there I move on to my staff.  And I have a few favorites in the faith department.  I’ll literally walk around the office, grab one of my go-to-happy-people and say:
“Tell me something good…”
Or
“You think we’re really gonna pull this thing off?”
And by the time they get done talking to me, I’ve siphoned enough faith to get me to the next day.  Until I can find some faith on my own.

By surrounding myself with faith-filled people, I’ve avoided going spiritually bankrupt even though my optimism level is often in the red.
But the thing about me is, when someone loans me faith, I pay ‘em back with interest.

[QUICKTIME http://www.stevenfurtick.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/20.mov 460 259]

A few months ago I had a potentially controversial, admittedly unusual idea.  This Sunday it will become a reality.
As a part of our Healer series, I’m hosting Ted Haggard and his wife Gayle for a no-holds-barred interview.

I have been deeply affected while following Pastor Ted’s prominent fall from grace over the last two and a half years.
I have been even more deeply touched by the decision of his wife and family to stand by him through the healing and restoration process.

I’m grateful that this Sunday Elevation will hear the whole story first hand.
My goal is not to condemn or promote a man or an agenda.  Simply to let the story of the deception of sin and the forgiveness of God speak for itself.

I believe this weekend will serve as a salient reminder of the devastating results of disobedience, and hopefully, the beginning of a personal healing process for many hurting people.

Attention anyone who cares (Mom and Holly):
I have never ever Twittered.  Anything.  Ever.  Yet.
There are a few fake Steven Furtick Twitter accounts out there, so I hear.
Actually, I’ve seen them.  And I’m not sure why anyone would pretend to be me.  I’m very boring.  I don’t say that in a false humility, self-deprecating kind of way.
I say that in a:
I’m-serious-I’m-not-sure-I’m-fun-enough-to-keep-you-interested-in-a-blow-by-blow-of-my-life
kind of way.

Should I ever decide to Twitter, the name my guys registered for me is stevenfurtick.  That’s the real me.  That’s the only real me.
And my updates will probably look more like:
Just drank a Diet Coke.
Just drank another Diet Coke.
Just switched it up-and drank a Diet Mountain Dew…wild and crazy!

In the meantime, all statements claiming to represent my daily activity, such as consuming Red Bull, listening to “The Coldplays”, purchasing new Mark Nasons, and wearing my new Seven For All Mankinds while “getting pumped about Sunday bro-WOOT” are imitations.  I promise.

I may get with the times and join the ranks one day soon.
And you’ll know it’s really me when it’s really, really boring.
See you then. Tweet.