What is Success for a Christian Leader?

To some extent, we all desire to be successful. Some may be driven by an inner desire to conquer the next challenge, while others long for a parent's or mentor's praise. All of us, at least all who follow Jesus, desire to cross the finish line hearing the sound of "well done, my good and faithful servant." But what does it mean to be successful? Is success the same for following Jesus as for leading an organization or a church?

A group of pastors I met with posed the question of leadership success. The meeting was in the Midwest, among the rolling pre-spring hills of Nebraska. Sitting at the table were pastors, associate pastors, and youth pastors from churches of varying sizes. Each of us was pondering the question: What is success?

Two verses from the Bible stood out as guardrails directing our conversation. First, Philippians 2:16b, "Then I can boast in the day of Christ that I didn't run or labor for nothing" (CSB). When I climb on my bicycle, I hope that I am not laboring or toiling in vain. Since I finish my rides in front of my garage (where I begin), my only hopes are physical exercise and personal enjoyment. When we clip into each day, our true humanity echoes Paul's desire: may our lives have meaning and produce meaning for others.

1 Corinthians 9:27 is the second verse guiding our conversation. "Instead, I discipline my body and bring it under strict control, so that after preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified" (CSB). Unlike Paul's statement in chapter two of Philippians, Paul targets the concept of success in the bullseye of his life. Pastor after pastor around the table nodded, affirming the desire and the challenge of pursuing righteousness in our thoughts and actions. Older pastors encouraged younger pastors, sharing real dangers and true victories. 

The gathering represented smaller and larger churches; therefore, we avoided numerical discussions about church or ministry size. Yet, the question was hanging in the room. If the average church size in the United States is 150 people or less, how does the average pastor see themselves as successful? Our guardrails helped keep our conversation focused, yet the desire to avoid numbers and too many stories of pastors who left the ministry due to moral failure had many leaning toward a definition of personal holiness and finishing their pastoral calling well.  

Paul's expression in 1 Corinthians grounds success in personal obedience, while his desire in Philippians chapter 2 describes success as a contribution to the community. In defining leadership success, Paul looked to both contribution and character. Does your contribution build up the body of Christ? And, does your character reflect the person of Christ? For Paul, leadership success is living a life worthy of Jesus Christ and being useful to Jesus' mission. Yet, Paul's concept of success wasn't intended for a few leaders. Instead, Paul was engaged in disciplemaking movement, challenging everyone to engage in Jesus' mission and live worthy of their calling.

"You, therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also" (2 Timothy 2:2, CSB).

How do you define success?

Can a successful pastor lead an unsuccessful church?

Can an unsuccessful pastor lead a successful church?