I think we need to completely rethink how we define success in ministry. It should be based on what God has asked us to do. Most of the goals or bench marks we use or look for in today's church (attendance or membership, size of buildings/plant, money received) has very little to do with what God has asked us to do. If we used today's standards, Jesus would have received a failing grade on all three of the above. After His John 6 discourse, many of his followers deserted him; He had "no place to lay his head", etc.
Obviously, he had a different type of ministry than we do. He sought to die for the sins of the world. But he still has commanded us to go and make disciples, baptizing them and teaching them to obey all things he has commanded (Matt. 28). I believe that is what needs to be the picture of success.
I am frustrated. I have lived so long in the previous system; I find it very difficult to come up with a way to quantify the later. Any help would be appreciated.
Pastor Frank (Guest)
Posted: June 05, 2008
Having a direction is a good thing, but I've seen pastors fired for not meeting their "goals." Leadership must be judged by more than things that you can count. You have to consider what God is doing and how your church is in step with that. You can have too much of a good thing when it comes to trying to measure success.
tom (Guest)
Posted: June 05, 2008
One thing that we do to measure success is to set specific goals before we have a service or outreach. The more specific we can be, the better. Only when we know what direction we're heading can we begin to feel like we're really following through
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