The dictionary defines success as: the attainment of wealth, position, honors, or the like. That is a fairly accurate definition, but when talking about success in ministry, I am not so sure that definition will work. It can become depressing if you judge your ministry success based on how many kids come, how big your budget is, or how much money you make.I say that because many in kids ministry do not make any money from their ministry, but they are still successful. If their success was based on their ministry paycheck, they would be pretty unsuccessful.Other churches struggle with finances. There is simply no money to put towards a children’s ministry budget. If you are in one of these ministries, I am sure you would agree that the size of your budget does not determine your success.

The size of your ministry is a way some will define their success. While it is true, some successful ministries will display growth, but there are some circumstances that are out of your control. Some of those being location, neighborhood, culture, physical space, church attitude, senior pastor vision, and more. I am not making excuses, but sometimes there are factors that are out of our control, and we can in fact still be successful without having a large attendance numbers.

Keep in mind that in ministry, we have different standards to define success.

So what is success in ministry?

 

 

Remember those two statements next time you think about success in your ministry. Don’t compare yourself to any other church. Don’t look at your budget or your paycheck. Look at yourself: are you doing the best you can? Look at your kids: are they growing closer to God? If you answered yes, no matter what the other circumstances, you are successful!

That is how you should measure your success in ministry. Check out a list of questions to ask yourself that can help you evaluate yourself and your ministry.

How do you define success? Are you successful in your ministry? Post a comment and let us know.