The Right Foundation

I am concerned about some pastor's narrow and dangerous ideas about success. Achieving more, getting more, or becoming number one. There is nothing wrong with healthy achievement, but there is a difference between doing what's right and doing what everybody else is doing just to be recognized.

A successful life is not always a high-achieving life. Sometimes it is about accomplishing a worthwhile goal, or even a private, personal victory. Sometimes it is about improving one's character. Sometimes success is best defined by living into one's own personal mission, or finding a meaningful purpose to organize one's life around. And sometimes it is about learning how to live in peace, happiness, generosity and love. Too many pastor's are worried today about what other's think about them or their lack of numerical success.

Someone put it like this: "I spent my life frantically trying to climb the ladder of ministerial success. When I got to the top I realized I was leaning against the wrong foundation." Even if others get to the top first by compromise or lack of integrity, it makes no difference. There is no merit in being first to arrive at the wrong place with God.

You can be successful in ways that matter and your ministry can be truly difference making. If you're leaning your faith against the right foundation, it doesn't even matter if you make it to the top. Any ministry spent going after things that count, will count as a ministry well spent.