How do we define success in ministry? How do we distinguish whether a ministry is on track? Is it even quantifiable? These are not rhetorical questions; I am hoping that you take the time to respond.
Is success in Christian ministry quantifiable?
Jesus gave us two commands and one mission. We are to love God with our entire being, love our neighbor and make disciples. These are the primary objectives but how do you measure progress toward them?
Perhaps numbers can tell part of the story, but figures like attendance and giving may not be indicative of how well we are loving and making disciples.
Activities can tell part of the story, but even the best of us does good things for the wrong reasons from time to time.
How do we measure success in ministry? I would love for you to share your thoughts in the comment section below. For those who are getting this by email, click on the link in the title of this post and you will be taken to the web site where you can leave a comment.
Cyndi says
October 27, 2015 at 4:16 PMI would say faithfulness, a determination to stick with it in spite of hardship and seeming failure and above all, love people like Jesus did. My daughter says, “Breathe in Jesus, breathe out love” in difficult situations. Admittedly, that is so hard to do, but maybe the results are slowly birthed in the faithfulness and determination.
Mark McIntyre says
October 27, 2015 at 6:45 PM“slowly birthed in the faithfulness and determination” I like that. Thanks for sharing.
Robert Begnaud says
October 21, 2015 at 6:15 AMSuccess is Jesus Christ in us, the hope of glory. So the head of every man is Christ – if we come out from among them, touch not the unclean thing, be separate, then the LORD will receive us. The LORD receiving us, that is success. Anything else we can do is just a work of iniquity because only in him can we be good, because only he is righteous. “In him I move and have my being” This success shows up first in our homes, with our children and their mother. The Lord demonstrates his pleasure with us in our homes and then in our fellowship with one another. Good works that appear to men as good works simply serve as that which glorifies men in the sight of men – men receiving the praise of men, but God is perfect and his works are perfect, any work outside of him is iniquity and only generates the praise of men, but not of God. So, again, success is Christ in us the hope of glory – in him we move and have our being!
Mark McIntyre says
October 27, 2015 at 6:56 PMWhat I take from this is that success in ministry is determined by good works that are prompted and empowered by God. I need to think through this a little more.
Jim Cassey says
October 19, 2015 at 12:59 PMNumbers definitely are not a measure of success. There are many megachurches that have thousands of people and millions of dollars but are spiritually bankrupt. The flip side is that there are many small churches that have few people and little money but have a huge impact in their communities. The best line that I’ve heard regarding this is that if a given church were to close its doors would they be missed in their community. Activities are also not a measure of success. Social clubs have activities. Many church programs run on autopilot and are continued whether they are effective or not.
How would I measure success. Are the people passionate about Jesus? Is He the focus of their very existence? I truly believe this can be felt in a tangible way. Is Jesus a part of everything they do and every decision they make? This can be seen in how they live their lives. Are the people loving one another? Do they do what they can to help those in need regardless of their religious affiliation? This can be seen by their willingness to be involved directly with those in need and not just throwing money at a situation.
As for making disciples. For me this is a right that must be earned. How can I preach Jesus to somebody to make them a disciple when I’m not loving them? Too many churches get this process out of order. They want to preach first and serve second. Jesus did it the other way around. He served first then preached (if necessary). He also took those who should have been helping and serving (the Pharisees and Scribes) to task about doing the exact opposite.
I know I’m still working through all this but I can also see where God is using circumstances to mold me and change me to live this out daily.
Mark McIntyre says
October 19, 2015 at 6:38 PMJim, All great thoughts. I especially like the question about if the church closed, would it be missed? Thanks for sharing.
Nevine Wissa says
October 19, 2015 at 11:25 AMThank you,Mark for sharing this question.I’ve been wrestling with this question myself for many years now.For an introvert believer,the question of “success” may be quite intimidating at times,especially when it comes to “making disciples!”Yet,I could humbly and faithfully share with you that I believe that our definition of success in ministry is quite different from what the Lord defines as success.I believe that the Lord equates success with faithfulness in loving Him and this is a life-long journey that will only come to fruition when we see our Lord face to face,and hopefully,”become like Him!”
Mark McIntyre says
October 19, 2015 at 6:35 PMGood thought about looking at the question from Jesus’ perspective. I have to spend some time thinking about that. Thanks for the comment.