Many of have love affairs with “success” which is why we can so easily fall susceptible to a spiral of insecurity.
If we’re honest – no matter who we are and whatever discipline of work we’re involved with – we have some perception of success.
That in itself isn’t bad but what if our perception of success becomes like a love affair; an obsession of value and self-worth? Check video below (for RSS feeds).
Pastors and leaders aren’t impervious to such pursuits of “success.” In fact, maybe we are more susceptible. And in these days of constant bombardment of various forms of new media, it’s easy to compare ourselves to others – other leaders, churches, ministries, non-profits, etc.
I am no different.
I’d like to think that as I turn 41 soon and coming upon 20 years in ministry, I would have outgrown such shallow comparisons but it’s still an ongoing struggle.
When we’re immature
…when our rootedness is not in the Gospel of Christ, then it leads us into dangerous and lonely places – where we find ourselves constantly comparing or seeking the approval and affirmation of others or via:
- budgets.
- attendance.
- size.
- buildings.
- # of followers, readers, etc.
If you look carefully or to be honest, if you just look, there are always some sort of lists and compilations of “the most influential” or “the fastest growing” or “the largest” or “the baddest” or “the whatever”…
Trust me. I’ve made couple lists for stuff that I have no idea how they come up with such lists. I occasionally travel to speak at conferences. But when our sense of calling and security is guided by such things, they will never satisfy you. It’s never enough. Never.
You want more…
because your soul is satisfied by lists, praise, adoration, and ultimately, a worldly sense of success.
Hear this well:
You don’t have to be “the most influential” in the nation. Just seek to be the most influential and loving pastor and leader to the church you’re called to. That will not likely get you on any special lists but you’ll serve your people well. You’ll be faithful to your flock and calling.
Metrics have their place. But don’t get lorded over by numbers and metrics. Numbers don’t guide us. Rather, the Holy Spirit is our guide. Be faithful. Be obedient. And it’s very possible that when we seek a life of faithfulness and obedience, it doesn’t always translate into worldly metrics of success.
I think Mother Theresa said it so well:
“God does not call us to be successful, but God calls us to be faithful.”
Can I get an amen?
Here’s a quick video I filmed for last year’s The Nines online conference. It never aired so I’m sharing it here exactly about the topic of ‘redefining success.”
EUGENE CHO 
This reminds me of what A.W. Tozer frequently wrote about.
P.S My mom says your “bah reum” is very precise.
Huh. My ‘bah reum’ for what?
thanks man. i share your insecurities and need heavy doses of the gospel to help anchor me.
Several years back in Seminary I could not get a grip of confidence and even feared that if I gained confidence I could become over confident. It was a strange place emotionally and spiritually for me as I prepared for pastoral ministry; caught between these extremes.
Dr. & Rev. John Weborg had these words for me…He talked to me about ego. He told me that I need to acknowledge my ego – which I though was odd, since I constituted ego = bad (being a jerk). He proceeded to tell me that being egotistical was wrong and immature, but knowing and having confidence in my ego -who I am created to be- was vitally important.
He reminded me whose I was. He encouraged me to remember my baptism. He taught me to be confident in who I am, who I am created by and who I am guided by.
I do not always remember this nor am I perfect at it, but it is a loving reminder from the Father that:
I am created, called and loved by
“I AM”.
Thanks for sharing this, Erick.
I have been told my several that I don’t seem lacking in confidence. And yet, it’s probably been one of the things I’ve struggled w/ the most in recent years…ultimately, because it’s linked in some way to our perceptions of success.
It’s strange how easily we can mask a lack of confidence and how so many things on the outside (success, energy, etc.) can be equated with confidence. Success = Confidence is a misconception. We sometimes do not even need to try very hard to cover up our lack of confidence -especially when things/life are going well.
Thanks again for posting so honestly, it’s encouraging.
AMEN! (There you go : – )
I’m reading “Renovation of the Church” right now and it is on this very issue. Have you had a chance to read it, Eugene? If not I would highly recommend it. It’s one of the most poignant books on ministry and “success” in the North American Church that I’ve ever read by far!
No, I haven’t read it but sounds great. I’ll put it on my list.
I struggle with it. I read it. I appreciate the honest words. Not easy to read but necessary. The narcotic of success is real.
Very insightful Eugene. As pastors it’s very easy to measure success based on what other churches are doing and trying to manufacture that same success. At Waves where I pastor God is doing some pretty amazing things and we are seeing lots of baptisms and lots of growth. I know all we are doing is planting and watering the seeds but ultimately it’s God that’s making them grow. A pastor contacted me and asked if he could buy me lunch so I could share with him what we are doing at Waves so he could see if his church could “catch some of that fire”. Of course I let him buy me lunch (lol, I love free lunch) but I was very upfront in telling him that I didn’t think it was wise to try to copy what we are doing. Sure, you can pick up little things here and there that may work, but as a whole I feel that when God is really doing something at one church it’s really hard for another church to replicate it. There are too many things that factor into it beginning with the spiritual health and character of the leadership. That’s just the tip of the iceberg. Once again thank you for being thought provoking and keeping it real.