As a pastor I struggle with defining success. Here are some things that I think through when I start wrestling with the tough question of whether I'm doing church "right" and if I'm a success:

1) You are defined by who God says you are, not by your usefulness. Henri Nouwen says it this way, "Your worth is not the same as your usefulness."

2) The intent of the Church is to spread the Hope of Jesus by demonstrating love. This is not necessarily tied to large buildings, budgets, or attendance figures.

3) A healthy organism is a growing organism. If the Church is a body, it should be growing - maybe not like a weed, but there should be visible signs of growth. Unchurched people coming. Visitors. Life Groups/Small Groups that are doing life together. Lives should be transformed.

4) Know your vision and stick to it. God called me to do ministry in Delaware, Ohio in a way that reaches the people of my town. I can't apologize about that. I will do it with passion!

5) God commands me to love my spouse. He will grow His church...He didn't command me to grow the church. I can't get those two things confused.

You may not be a pastor, but I hope you see that your significance and your worth to God are not tied to your successes and usefulness. Jesus said that all the Law and the prophets could be summed up by "Love God, Love People." You can do that effectively when you realize that you are already loved by God.

Under the Mercy,
Jason