Measuring Success In Ministry

Sunday School: Terry Beasley, Sunday School Team Chair
Tuesday, July 1, 2008

How do you define success? Journalist David Brinkley once said "A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him." Winston Churchill defined success as "...going from failure to failure without a loss of enthusiasm."

We live in a society which is driven by success. We mistakenly measure an individual's success, and even their value, by their professional status, the size of their house or bank account, or their social standing in the community. How we assess and measure success in the ministry has been influenced by our societal view of success. Some churches will determine success by the "bottom-line" of enrollment, attendance, or giving. Others may place a more subjective spin on success by considering the minister's level of personal satisfaction as the determining factor.

What does the Bible teach us concerning successful ministry? "Then I said, 'For how long, O Lord?' And he answered: 'Until the cities lie ruined and without inhabitant, until the houses are left deserted and the fields ruined and ravaged, until the Lord has sent everyone far away and the land is utterly forsaken. And though a tenth remains in the land, it will again be laid to waste. But as the terebinth and oak leave stumps when they are cut down, so the holy seed will be the stump in the land.'" (Isaiah 6:11-13) By today's standard, Isaiah may have been viewed as unsuccessful in turning the stubborn people of Israel back toward God. Isaiah was told that the unrepentant attitude of the people would persist until only a few faithful would remain. However, from these faithful followers, a new foundation would be laid. Success was not measured in numbers or personal satisfaction. Success was the result of being faithful.

Do you have a successful Sunday School and Vacation Bible School? Don't look at the numbers. Instead, look at the people. Do they continue to labor faithfully, regardless of the perception of success? Here are a few thoughts as to how we can answer the question of success when related to ministry. Are you...

F Forgetting what is behind... Philippians 3:13
A Aiming toward what is ahead... Philippians 3:13
I Instructing faithfully... Ephesians 6:4
T Transformed by the renewing of your mind... Romans 4:1
H Honoring God with your body... I Corinthians 6:20
F Firmly standing... Philippians 4:1
U Understanding your giftedness... Romans 12:6-8
L Loving sincerely... Romans 12:9

May we remain faithful to the tasks before us so that on the day of His coming He will say, "Well done good and faithful servant!"