I can think of just one thing that gets in the way of us experiencing all that God has for us: selfish ambition. When we start believing that it’s all about us and our abilities to do whatever, we’re in trouble spiritually. I wanted to write about this because another pastor has succombed to this and his church is suffering. It’s heart breaking. I’ve seen all too often in ministry. I sense that God has let me see upclose and shown me what it can do to leaders and churches.

Ambition by itself is not unhealthy. It’s great to be passionate about a vision or mission as a church. It only becomes unhealthy when it overtakes our passion to submit to God and serve others, and we begin to believe in our own power to make things happen. The opposite of selfish ambition is humility. Jesus didn’t seek upward mobility. Instead, he sought a downward lifestyle.

Selfish ambition has destroyed more people, more marriages and more lives than just about anything else (in my opinion). It may be the one thing that gets in the way of experiencing life the way Jesus intended.

We pray that as we launch TCU that our team will continue to stay focused on humility and others first. Thankfully, we have experienced that kind of heart attitude as a Start Up Team!