New Churches Podcast | Season 1 | Episode 735

Fighting Feelings of Inferiority

Ed Stetzer, Scotty Smith & Adam Muhtaseb

Episode 735

Most, if not all, church planters struggle with feeling inferior. Ed Stetzer, Scotty Smith and Adam Muhtaseb explain how to fight feelings of inferiority.

In This Episode, You’ll Discover:

  • The danger of the Imposter Syndrome
  • How common feelings of insecurity are among ministry leaders
  • How to lead in a way that is both confident and humble 
  • How leading from place of weakness can actually maximize growth
  • What it truly means to “treasure the gospel”

Helpful Resources:

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Sharable Quotes (#NewChurches):

We all live with Imposter Syndrome. As a church planter, most people would find me bold and brash, but I struggled with feelings of inferiority for the entire journey. @EdStetzer

People would rather follow someone who’s real than somebody who’s always Superman. They’d rather you admit your weakness, point to Jesus and show His strength. @Adam_Muhtaseb

Don’t be ashamed of your weakness. Learn what it means to lead as a jar of clay with the aroma of grace coming out. @Scotty Smith

Lots of stories in Scripture are of those who felt inadequate for the task God had called them to do. @EdStetzer

The very concept of inferiority presupposes comparison. I feel inferior compared to what? Comparison-ism destroys community. @Scotty Smith

People see either your strength or Jesus’ strength. Let’s let our people see Jesus’ ‘ strength through our weakness. @Adam_Muhtaseb

You know what’s better than the hardship of ministry? The beauty and faithfulness of the Lord. Learn every day to rely upon the God who raises the dead. @Scotty Smith

Published on March 09, 2023

About the Podcast

New Churches Podcast

The New Churches podcast offers practical answers to your real ministry questions. We aren’t going to provide lofty pie-in-the-sky theories. Instead, we are going to help you in your real ministry context, with your real thoughts, questions, and issues.

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Meet the Authors

Ed Stetzer

Ed Stetzer, Ph.D., is a professor and dean at Wheaton College where he also serves as Executive Director of the Wheaton College Billy Graham Center.  He is the incoming Dean of Talbot School of Theology at Biola University. He has planted, revitalized, and pastored churches; trained pastors and church planters on six continents; earned two master’s degrees and two doctorates; and he has written hundreds of articles and a dozen books. He is Regional Director for Lausanne North America, is the Editor-in-Chief of Outreach Magazine, and regularly writes for news outlets such as USA Today and CNN. His national radio show, Ed Stetzer Live, airs Saturdays on Moody Radio and affiliates. He serves at his local church, Mariners Church, as a Scholar in Residence and Teaching Pastor.

More Resources from Ed

Scotty Smith

Scotty Smith is founding pastor of Christ Community Church in Franklin, Tennessee, a
PCA church he planted with friends in 1986. After pastoring CCC for 26 years, Scotty
resigned in May 2012 to serve the larger Church with his preaching, teaching and writing.
He serves as the Teacher in Residence at West End Community Church in Nashville, a
daughter church of Christ Community. He also serves as an adjunct faculty member
for Covenant Theological Seminary; Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia:
Redeemer Seminary, Dallas and RTS Orlando. Scotty is a graduate of the University of
North Carolina, Westminster Seminary and Covenant Seminary. Scotty has written a
number of books, including Unveiled Hope, Objects of His Affection and Everyday Prayers.
Scotty and his wife, Darlene, have two adult children.

More Resources from Scotty

Adam Muhtaseb

Adam Muhtaseb is the founding pastor of Redemption City Church in Baltimore, Maryland, and an M.Div. graduate of  Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Sherrie, have three sons, Aiden, Judah, and Micah.

More Resources from Adam