‘Rooted and Secure’ Clay Scroggins speaks to Asbury students in chapel

August 26, 2021

This week, Asbury welcomed author and pastor Clay Scroggins to the Hughes chapel podium to worship with students while discussing identity, approval seeking, and leadership with the Asbury student community and with those invested in leadership positions.

In chapel, Scroggins challenged students to think about where their identity resides and encouraged them to avoid seeking approval from others. He gave a powerful reminder that God claims us as His own, and our identity needs to be found in Him.

He cited the warning in Psalm 29:25 about approval-seeking. “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the lord is kept safe.”

Scroggins explained to students that the fear of rejection from other humans is like a “snare,” which is designed to trap and keep an individual from the confidence and freedom found in the Lord. Chasing earthly approval stifles freedom and growth.

In a later session, Scroggins discussed successful leadership as being focused more on the who than the what. While assessing the future leadership shining through Asbury students, Scroggins advises the next generation of leaders to resemble a reed as they grow into their influential positions. He explained that they must be, “rooted and secure” but able to flex and move in an ever-changing, distraction-filled society without breaking.

“There seems to be a remarkable community of humble, eager, and curious leaders here,” said Scroggins, noting the solid culture of learning and growth at Asbury.

You can watch a replay of livestream at https://www.asbury.edu/podcasts/86291/.

Scroggins is the author of best-selling books How to Lead When You’re Not in Charge and How to Lead in a World of Distraction. He holds a degree in Industrial Engineering from Georgia Tech as well as a master’s degree and doctorate with an emphasis in Online Church from Dallas Theological Seminary.

For the past 20 years, Clay Scroggins has served in many pastoral roles at North Point Ministries, a multisite church started in Alpharetta, Ga., led by Andy Stanley. Most recently, Clay served as the lead pastor of Buckhead Church, one of North Point’s largest campuses. He lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with his wife, Jenny, and their five children.