What is the Key to Success in Ministry?

what is the key to success in ministry?: in two words. I see success and stewardship as synonymous. It's not about how big your church is. It's about doing the best you can with what you have where you are. It's about cultivating your God-given gifts and using them to glorify God.

Here are five "two word" answers:

1) Keep Learning

When you stop learning you stop leading. I never want to become a closed system. If you keep learning you cannot fail. Why? Because failure is not learning the lessons God is trying to teach you. If you learned something you did not fail.

2) Take Risks

Playing it safe is risky. I'm more afraid of missing opportunities than making mistakes. I think that is a leadership mindset. You obviously need to discern if they are God-ordained. But our greatest regrets will be the lions we did not chase!

3) Stay Humble

This one is huge. Don't let pride take root in your heart. I'm so grateful for a failed church plant on my resume because it's a constant reminder that "unless the Lord builds the house they who labor, labor in vain." If you stay humble there is nothing God cannot do in you and through you.

4) Dream Big

The size of your dream reveals the size of your faith. More faith = bigger dreams. I'm convinced that God-sized dreams are one key to spiritual growth. God-sized dreams force you to live on your knees in raw dependence upon God. Live your life in a way that requires divine intervention.

5) Be Yourself

You need to come to terms with who you are and who you aren't. Ten years ago I was trying to be a pastor. I'm now trying to be myself. And there is a difference. Life is too short and ministry is too hard to be in an environment where you can't give true expression to your unique gifts, personality, and calling.

I'm obviously making a lot of assumptions here. For example, spiritual growth is all about becoming more and more like Jesus. That's a given. And I'm assuming a strong devotional life that includes prayer and Bible study. So these five tips are "beyond basics" if you will.

This is a repost by Mark Batterson from his blog.

A NINES Review

9/9/9 there was an online conference put on by the Leadership Network. They had several quality speakers, and although I was unable to listen to each of them, there were many great things to glean from those I did listen to. Here are some of the highlights:

Ed Stetzer – God’s mission is the opposite of self 1. Pastor’s on mission seek God’s glory and God’s mission, not our own
a. When we worry about stuff, it’s typically our stuff instead of God’s
b. We need to encounter God so we can be on mission for God
2. Those on mission reflect being with God
3. Those on mission no longer live for themselves

Scott Wilson – Raising the Leadership Bar• Leadership sets the bar for where the church can grow, you church cannot grow beyond your own leadership
• Ephesians 4:11-ff, equip the saints for ministry
• Pastor’s are the anointed few… people in the pews need to move from spectators to being players, pastors need to move from being players to coaches
• Pastors are not here to do the job, they are here to equip members to do the work
1. As leaders we grow– we should all read 35 leadership book and listen to 120 leadership CD’s - $500 bonus if you do it, if you don’t grow you gotta go.
2. As leaders we need to mentor leadership – mentoring leaders
3. As leaders we need to multiply leadership – leaders building leaders

Bryan Carter – How to be a succession pastor1. Learn to live with a shadow: honor the person you follow
2. Learn to lead yourself: be your own self… be who you are
3. Learn to be patient: it takes 5-7 years to be their pastor, don’t get in a hurry

David Foster – Importance of Preparation• In communicating the Gospel, you must prepare to deliver God’s message to His people
• To stay fresh you must take hours to prepare God’s message (prayer, think and write)
• Preparation is the key to longevity and effectiveness
• Speak out of the overflow of what you are experiencing yourself

Rick Rusaw – How can we be the best church FOR the community?

Leonard Sweet – How do you deal with a big head?• How do you deal with pride and success…
• Create in me a clean heart oh God and give me a right spirit
• Humble confidence, confident humility is found in God (Phil 4:13)