Week 1: Setting the Stage - Defining and Measuring Success in Ministry

Ministry in small churches often involves a complex web of roles, challenges, and responsibilities. As a pastor, it's easy to find yourself overwhelmed by the demands of leadership and the high expectations that come with it. But how do we define success in ministry? Is it based on numbers, programs, or influence? In their book The Choice: The Christ-Centered Pursuit of Kingdom Outcomes, Gary Hoag, Scott Rodin, and Wesley Willmer present a powerful and challenging message about success in ministry. This week, we dive into Chapter 1: "How Do We Define and Measure Success?" and lay the foundation for a series that explores the temptations, challenges, and realities that every pastor faces as they lead in pursuit of Kingdom outcomes. 


Defining Success: A Shift from Worldly Standards

In the opening chapter of The Choice, the authors ask us to reconsider how we measure success in ministry. The world often defines success by the metrics of growth, influence, and visibility—bigger churches, larger budgets, more followers. But what happens when those metrics fail to align with God’s Kingdom purposes? As small church pastors, you are in a unique position to redefine success by focusing on what truly matters: faithfulness, spiritual depth, and Kingdom impact.

The authors remind us of a crucial truth: true success in ministry is not measured by the size of the church or the acclaim of the world, but by how closely our lives and ministries reflect the character and mission of Christ.

In Luke 16:10 (NIV), Jesus says, “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.” The lesson here is that success in God’s eyes is about stewardship and faithfulness in the small things, not grandiose achievements or worldly acclaim.


The Kingdom Path: The Only True Measure of Success

For small church pastors, success cannot simply be a numbers game. The authors challenge us to rethink our approach to success and to focus instead on Kingdom outcomes. This is about fruit that lasts, relationships that are transformed, and lives that reflect the love of Christ. It’s about being faithful to God’s calling, regardless of external metrics.

As a pastor, you might never see the kinds of numbers or media attention that large churches or famous pastors get. But you are part of something far more eternal—God’s Kingdom, where the smallest act of faithfulness can have profound and lasting effects.


Application:

  1. Reflect on your own definition of success. Ask yourself, "What does success look like in my ministry?" Is it more about growth in numbers, or is it about growth in spiritual depth?

  2. Measure success by faithfulness: Evaluate how faithful you are to God’s Word, to the people you shepherd, and to your personal relationship with God. Spiritual faithfulness is a much deeper, more lasting measure of success.


"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." – Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)



We are your partner in ministry, empowering you to stay in the game and help you complete the work God began in you. We want to help you implement the vision God has given you.


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