In a culture obsessed with influence, it’s easy for even faithful Christians to drift toward platform over faithfulness. This article is not a rant—it’s a reflection on personal lessons learned, pitfalls to avoid, and a call to recalibrate ministry around Christ alone.

The Early Years of Ministry and Misplaced Confidence

Platforms are a real danger today. I’ve seen this firsthand in my own heart. In my early twenties, while leading a Campus Crusade for Christ chapter near the Washington/Canadian border, I thought I knew a lot about theology. In truth, it was mostly bravado. There was a lot in my head about theology from my early teens. Throughout my early twenties I saw this tendency too. It grieved me so much when, after getting married and moving from Seattle to Boise, Idaho, I saw very prominent pastors falling left and right like it was going out of style. This caused me to ask, “Could that be me?” and it hit me, “Yes it could.” I was brash. I was arrogant. I lacked humility. I “knew” things about the Bible and doctrine and theology and church history. But what I lacked? I lacked real godly maturity. I lacked biblical application. I lacked real, true godliness (Proverbs 16:18; 1 Corinthians 8:1).

I’m not here to lecture you—I want to have a conversation. This isn’t just a rant about platforms; it’s an invitation to reflect together on what faithfulness really looks like in a culture obsessed with influence.

Behind the Platform: When Ministry Becomes Performance

I was writing for prominent places. I’m not one to name-drop places I’ve written, but my CV includes all the places and all the things. It is fair to say I’ve “been there” and “done that” because I have and could again, but I don’t feel the need to do it. Plus, I’m already busy enough. I’ve worked in social media marketing. I’ve not only edited articles, magazines, and books, but I’ve reviewed over 400 books and done more than 500 interviews while leading a growing multi-media ministry. On the side, I’ve occasionally done pulpit supply, counseled men biblically all over the country, written books, and conducted interviews while trying to minister to people. I’ve also worked as a literary agent at one time. Why do I say this?

Not to boast, but to make a point: these kinds of accomplishments aren’t what matter most. The point isn’t what you’ve done—it’s who you’re becoming because of who you are in Christ.

The Danger of Chasing Platform

I don’t say what I do to boast in myself. Anyone who knows me knows that’s not my style. I say this to illustrate the point of this article: Platforms and fame are as fleeting and worthless as vanity and grasping for the wind (Ecclesiastes 1:14). Everything in our lives matters. Every moment matters. Let me tell you as an “insider” who used to hear—and still hears—many of the things in the “backroom” of evangelicalism: chasing platform, chasing book sales, chasing more clicks for your blog, and more downloads for your podcast is utterly pointless. If that’s what you’re doing—chasing platform over faithfulness—then perhaps it’s time to pause, pray, and ask whether you’re truly called to this. If your desire is to make disciples, serve the Church, and glorify Christ, I encourage you to continue. In fact, I’d encourage you to email us, because we would love to have you write for us.

Church History Reminder

Jonathan Edwards was dismissed from his church for holding to a biblical view of communion. Despite his brilliance and fame, he valued truth over platform. Charles Simeon endured years of rejection in his own church yet remained faithful for decades. John Owen turned down prominence to pastor a struggling congregation. B.B. Warfield, one of the greatest theologians of his time, chose a hidden life of service to care for his disabled wife. These men modeled faithfulness in the shadows, not the spotlight.

A Hard Reset: Walking Away for Maturity

It became crystal clear to me in the early 2010s that I lacked biblical maturity and application—and that I needed to step away from writing for other places. It was dangerous. It was frustrating to hear what was being said in those “backrooms” and in “those” conversations I was privy to because I was considered “influential,” whatever that means. Anyone who knows me knows I’ve never been impressed with puffing myself up. I want to see Christ and Him glorified. I long to see the people of God strengthened. It’s never been about a platform for me (1 Corinthians 4:1–2).

I spend countless hours each week talking with real people from all over the country and the world and with people in my local church and with friends all over the country. I’m on the frontlines doing the real work of ministry. I also connect hurting people who have suffered from abuse, false teaching, and more to biblically sound churches all over the country. I help struggling people find biblical help from biblical counselors. So for me, platform is meaningless. The number of people reached through an article or a podcast is pointless. These are channels the Lord gave me to steward—but they do not belong to me, and they never will (Matthew 25:21).

Christian Publishing and the Myth of Metrics

This is especially important today because there is a whole culture—fueled by Christian publishing—that says: you have to have a certain number of book sales, podcast downloads, YouTube subscribers, social media followers, and conference appearances to be taken seriously. I will never forget looking at pastor positions after seminary in 2012 and thinking, “You have to have ten years of pastoral experience for this position?” I had over 100 credits at the seminary level. I had already been in a variety of ministry roles for twelve years (now almost 25). When I applied for pastoral roles back in 2017, I was told by more than one church, “You are overqualified”—by the very people who post job descriptions saying, “You need this to be qualified.”

What’s clear is this: worldly benchmarks don’t always align with biblical ones (1 Samuel 16:7; James 3:13–17). We need to resist the pressure to measure our worth by numbers and focus instead on faithfulness to Christ as defined by the Word of God.

When Influence Becomes a Danger Zone

Chasing platform over faithfulness is a slow drift into spiritual compromise.

If you are pursuing a platform or a book deal, do not sell your soul for those things. They are vanity and grasping for the wind. If you’re chasing the latest fad of influence—stop. Repent. Delete your social media, your blog, your podcast—whatever it is—and get into biblical counseling now. You’re in what I call the danger zone.

If you are chasing speaking gigs and more influence, let me lovingly tell you: it’s not worth it. I have seen far too many Christian leaders fall by the wayside in the last twenty-five years. Want real influence? Start by getting to know people. Get into your Bible. Get into a local church. Serve others with whatever gifts, talents, and abilities God has given you (1 Peter 4:10).

If you want to chase clicks, downloads, book deals, and the conference circuit, you’re setting yourself up for deep disappointment. Most people never get those opportunities—and even if you do, the gatekeepers may still hold you back. So stop pretending. Start seeking the Lord in private, before His face (Matthew 6:6).

Faithfulness at Home, Not Fame on a Stage

There is nothing more important, if you are married, than serving the Lord and your spouse (Ephesians 5:25; 1 Peter 3:7). Why not work on your marriage? Why not invest in your home life, mow the yard, or play with your children if you have them? Why not prioritize your family before you prioritize your ministry?

Ask yourself: how are you really doing at work? Are you thriving—or is it all just a façade?

I’ll never forget an experience I had as a literary agent. I asked a major Christian publisher if they would consider my forthcoming book on biblical worldview. I had the credentials. I’d written for widely known platforms. I’d been on numerous podcasts, radio shows, and YouTube channels. I had the numbers. I had a quarterly magazine. I had multiple podcasts. I checked all the boxes.

But here was the problem: “You’re not on the conference circuit.” That was the deal-breaker. That’s when it hit me—again: chasing platforms is totally, utterly, 100% pointless (Ecclesiastes 2:11).

Does It Really Matter? Yes—But Only If It’s For Christ

You can chase all the clicks to your blog you want. You can pursue downloads, build an audience, counsel as many people as you can, or preach your best sermon. But at the end of the day, what really matters?

It’s not how much you do—it’s how and why you do it. It’s the motivation of your heart that matters far more than your resume. The Lord alone knows the secrets of our hearts, and they are laid bare before Him (Hebrews 4:13; Proverbs 16:2).

Fallout from the Platform Culture

We’ve seen far too many Christian leaders fall—and truthfully, they didn’t fall overnight. They had already fallen long before they were exposed. Their public lives no longer matched their private life.

Scandal after scandal. Wrecked lives. Deep wounds. All of it grieves the Head of Church Jesus Christ. Yet, how many will actually stop chasing platform? How many will turn away from the pursuit of clicks, downloads, published articles, or book deals?

These things can be good—if done for the right reasons and in the right way for the glory of God. But they are poor substitutes for real, godly maturity (1 Timothy 4:8).

Mentorship and the Call to Apply the Word

Shortly after I graduated from seminary in 2012, I had one of those “hard-hitting” conversations you never forget. One of my mentors—one of the pastors at our church—needed to speak with me. We were on our way to the golf course when he said, “Dave, you don’t have a knowledge problem, but you do have an application problem.”

That moment changed everything. At the time, I was already wrestling with what godliness and maturity really looked like. Thankfully, that mentor (now with the Lord) didn’t just speak hard words—he walked with me in the grace of God. He showed me what it means to be a man of God, to minister to real people with biblical wisdom (Proverbs 27:6).

The Real Way of Jesus

I’ve said it before and I mean it deeply: I wouldn’t be in ministry today if that man hadn’t come alongside me. I could have easily become another casualty of the Christian celebrity culture that idolizes influencers, platforms, and trendy stories.

But the real question is: Is that the way of Jesus?

Did Jesus die and rise for us so we could build platforms? Did He suffer so we could chase celebrity?

No—He came so we would know Him. Serve Him. Love others. Bear one another’s burdens. Strengthen the Church. Proclaim the gospel (Mark 10:45; Galatians 6:2).

Jesus didn’t build a brand—He took up a washbasin. (John 13:14–15)

Humble Examples of Godly Leadership

I’ll never forget sitting in my mentor’s office years later. He looked at me and said, “Dave, I want you to know—I’m still growing in gentleness and patience.”

That stopped me in my tracks. He had never lost his temper with me. Never raised his voice. He was one of the most humble men I’ve ever known. And still, he was growing in Christ (Philippians 3:12).

Another dear friend often says, “Here’s where I’m leaning into God’s grace and what He’s teaching me right now.”

That’s what humility looks like. Not celebrating success. Not boasting in accomplishments. But being content to keep growing—and serving (James 4:6).

A Final Plea: Repent, Return, and Rest in Christ

I’m still learning. Still growing in humility. Still growing in gentleness and patience. Still trying to communicate God’s Word more faithfully. Still striving to serve more wholeheartedly. Still aiming to obey my Lord with sincerity.

I long to put to death my sin and to behold more of the glory of Christ (Colossians 3:5; 2 Corinthians 3:18).

Is that your desire, dear reader?

If not, I pray you’ll pause—like I did years ago—and ask: “Am I really doing what the Lord has called me to do? Am I doing it His way?”

You can’t fool our all-seeing, all-knowing Lord. Every time a leader falls, I wince and say, “That could be me but for the grace of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:12)

Is that your posture? If not, why not?

Do you think you’re better than the one who fell? If so, repent. You might be next. I’ve seen it too many times.

Seek what Christ wants. Honor Him. Love your family more than your title. Know this: Real influence doesn’t come from follower counts or book contracts.

It comes from a life of steady, Scripture-rooted faithfulness—fueled by the grace of Christ and lived in the context of a local church (Titus 2:7).

If you’ve drifted, return to your first love (Revelation 2:4–5). Christ is sufficient for your desires, your motivations—everything.

Chasing celebrity is pointless. Chasing Christ is everything.

The Christian life is about faithfulness in every detail—for God’s glory and the good of His people.

So pursue Christ. Honor Him. Glorify Him. And He will use you (1 Corinthians 15:58).

Benediction

“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; He will surely do it.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:23–24

Reflection Questions

Don’t walk away from conviction—walk toward Christ. If you need help, don’t hesitate to reach out to a trusted pastor, mentor, or counselor today. Ask yourself the following questions?

• What drives your ministry or calling—faithfulness or visibility?

• Have you ever felt the pull of platform or performance? How have you responded?

• Who in your life demonstrates quiet, godly faithfulness? What can you learn from them?

• Are there any areas where repentance is needed as you pursue Christ?

May the Holy Spirit search your heart with the Word of God and anchor your (and my) motives in the sufficiency of Christ in Scripture.