Darren Rovell was interviewed regarding his close relationship with the late, great Kobe Bryant. Bryant reached out to Darren regarding business investments. Rovell, in 2012, gave him an option of $8 million for 10% in a particular company. Kobe’s financial advisor didn’t like it, so they did not do the deal. Soon after that decision, the company sold for $291 million.

Later, Kobe came back to Darren. He told Darren that he was going to put $10 million into Darren’s account to invest in whatever was next. Kobe shared that he was no longer going to let others’ opinions hold him back from investing.

Following this act of complete trust, Darren used that $10 million to invest in the sports drink BodyArmor. The company went on to sell for $4.4 billion. Kobe’s return was $444 million dollars!

Just as Kobe Bryant realized he needed to trust and invest with no questions asked, ministry leaders face a similar choice: allow fear to determine ministry goals or faithfully follow God while trusting Him with the outcome.

This story provides us with an example of risk aversion. The first company was deemed as too much of a risk for the investor and his partner. Playing it safe resulted in missing out on a great result. 

The same mentality can impact us as ministry leaders. We might see the potential in attempting something different or new, or even in reimagining a particular ministry. At the end of the day, however, we decide that too much risk is involved.

Now, there are a myriad of reasons for not taking the risk. We don’t want the anonymous letter or email, we don’t want the call from the committee member or deacon, and we certainly do not want to look like an idiot for failing. 

Pastors and ministry leaders can begin to think:

“What if we change this and people leave the church?”

“What if we spend the money and it doesn’t work?”

“What if this outreach idea flops and no one shows up?”

Each of these questions represents something all pastors and ministry leaders face. We carry a burden for our congregations and communities. However, when our fears outweigh our obedience to God’s calling, we are maintaining instead of leading. We become managers of the status quo.

Where is God calling you to step out in faith and take a risk?

Obviously, we don’t want to be bold just for the sake of being bold—that would be reckless. But we also shouldn’t lead from a place of risk aversion. This posture causes us to stand still out of fear that something could go wrong. Instead, we should seek to lead with biblical courage, prayerfully seeking the Spirit’s guidance on what steps are needed, and then leave the outcome with God.

Don’t be the fearful servant who buries the talent (Matthew 25:14-30). Instead, steward faithfully and courageously what God has entrusted to you so that He can multiply it beyond your thinking and imagination (Ephesians 3:20). Holy boldness is a key ingredient to building God’s kingdom. 

Taking the risk, possessing a Kingdom focus, and pushing beyond personal boundaries might be the best investment you will ever make!

Find a quiet moment today for reflection and prayer. Ask the Lord to reveal to you what the next step is, ask for faith and boldness to take the step, and then commit the results to the Lord.

Prayer Prompt: “Lord, I praise you for the calling you have placed on my life. Help me identify areas where risk aversion is holding this ministry back. Grow in me faith and boldness for the next step, and help me trust you with the outcome. Amen”

Guy Burke serves as Director of The Timothy Project and Global Discipleship Pastor at Colonial Heights Baptist Church in Ridgeland, Mississippi. He is passionate about encouraging and equipping pastors and ministry leaders to lead faithfully, make disciples, and help the local church thrive.