The Rare Courage to Give Up a Platform
OPENING PRAYER:
Father, search my heart and show me where I'm clinging to position, recognition, or control. Teach me what it means to hold everything with open hands, surrendered to Your greater purposes and willing to decrease so You can increase.
"He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less." John 3:30 (NLT)
John the Baptist spoke these words when his disciples came to him worried that Jesus was baptizing people and drawing larger crowds. John could have felt threatened or competitive, but instead he expressed joy that his role was decreasing while Jesus's was increasing. This statement reveals the heart of someone who understood his assignment was never about building his own platform, but about pointing people to Jesus.
REFLECT:
Pastor Rodney Elliott said something in this message that should make us all uncomfortable in the best way: "So few people in this world give up platforms. Have you thought about that? People don't give that kind of stuff up." He was talking about Pastor Carter’s decision to transition from lead pastor to a different role focused on microcampus development. After 20 years as lead pastor and 40 years on staff, Todd is voluntarily stepping out of the spotlight, giving up the platform, releasing the title and the recognition that comes with it.
Think about how rare that is. We live in a culture obsessed with platform, influence, and position. Entire industries exist to help people build their personal brand and expand their reach. Even in the church world, leaders typically hold onto their positions as long as possible. They measure success by the size of their congregation, the reach of their podcast, the number of books sold. But here's a leader who's doing the opposite—intentionally stepping back from a platform because he believes it's what's best for the mission and for the church, not what's best for his ego or his legacy.
Rodney named this for what it is: humility and selflessness. Todd isn't thinking about his reputation or his platform—he's thinking about what will best position the church to reach people over the next 20 years. He's thinking about leveraging his remaining years where they'll have the most kingdom impact, even if that means less visibility and recognition. And here's what struck me most: Rodney said this is what Todd has taught him. This isn't just a one-time decision—it's the fruit of a life lived with John the Baptist's conviction that it's not about building your own kingdom, but about pointing people to Jesus's. Todd asked us to identify our personal assignment and take a concrete step toward it. But maybe for some of us, that step isn't adding something—it's releasing something. Maybe our assignment is to give up a position, a title, a role, or a platform so someone else can step into what God's called them to, and the mission can move forward.
APPLY:
Ask yourself honestly: Is there a position, role, title, or area of influence you're holding onto that God might be asking you to release? Maybe it's time to step down from leading a ministry so someone younger can grow into it. Maybe it's time to let someone else get the credit or recognition. Spend time in prayer asking God to show you if there's something He's asking you to surrender for the sake of His mission. If He shows you something, take one step toward releasing it this week.
I WILL STATEMENT:
I will identify one specific assignment God has placed on my heart and take one concrete step toward it this week.
CLOSING PRAYER:
Jesus, this is hard for me to pray, but I want to mean it: help me become less so You can become greater. Show me where I'm clinging to position or recognition instead of holding everything with open hands. Give me the courage to release what You're asking me to release, trusting that Your mission is more important than my platform. Amen.
PRAYER REQUEST:
Share your prayer request and pray for others.