What Does Success Actually Look Like?
Lately I've been asking myself a simple question: What does success in ministry actually look like? This has implications not just for me as a pastor, but for each of us as church members, striving side by side to see the gospel advance in our community.
Back to the question. What does success actually look like for us as a church? I’m not talking about the answer I know I'm supposed to give. Not the answer I’d preach from a pulpit. But the answer that whispers quietly in my heart.
If I'm honest, success often looks something like this: A church of eighty or a hundred people. A building that feels like home. A congregation full of people who are committed to Christ and loyal to our church. A church known in Stoney Creek as biblical, healthy, active and thriving. People who genuinely appreciate my preaching and pastoral care. A stable ministry with momentum and visible fruit.
None of those things are inherently sinful. In fact, many of them are good things we ought to pray for. It is right to long for a healthy church, deep community, faithful discipleship, and gospel witness. The Bible has a lot to say about what we should aspire for as a church. (Recently, some of our leaders discussed what these biblical ambitions might be, and I list them here for you to consider and regularly pray for. These are my priorities and “dreams” as a pastor.)
But… somewhere along the way those good desires quietly become my measuring stick. When people leave, I feel like I've failed. When attendance fluctuates, I wonder whether I'm doing enough. When I consider another church plant somewhere else that seems to flourish more quickly than ours, I start to compare. Without even realizing it, I start defining success by outcomes God has never promised me.
That's a crushing way to live. So I've been asking the Lord for a simpler, more biblical definition of success. And I think I found it in Paul's second letter to Timothy.
Success is preaching the Word faithfully, whether people receive it eagerly or reluctantly. (2 Tim. 4:2–5)
Success is being ready in season and out of season. (2 Tim. 4:2)
Success is patiently teaching, correcting, encouraging, and enduring hardship. (2 Tim. 4:2, 5)
Success is refusing to be ashamed of Christ or His gospel. (2 Tim. 1:8, 12)
Success is guarding the good deposit entrusted to me. (2 Tim. 1:13–14)
Success is being strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus rather than by visible results. (2 Tim. 2:1)
Success is entrusting the gospel to faithful people who will teach others also. (2 Tim. 2:2)
Success is sharing in suffering like a good soldier, remembering that my aim is not to impress the crowds but to please the One who enlisted me. (2 Tim. 2:3–4)
Success is working hard like a farmer who waits patiently for a harvest that often comes long after the labour. (2 Tim. 2:6)
Success is remembering Jesus Christ—risen from the dead—because He, not my ministry, is the centre of the story. (2 Tim. 2:8)
Success is rightly handling the Word of truth. (2 Tim. 2:15)
Success is fleeing sin while pursuing righteousness, faith, love, and peace. (2 Tim. 2:22)
Success is refusing quarrels, showing kindness, patiently enduring evil, and correcting opponents with gentleness. (2 Tim. 2:23–26)
Success is continuing in the Scriptures, allowing God's breathed-out Word to teach, rebuke, correct, and train me so that I may be equipped for every good work. (2 Tim. 3:14–17)
Reading through 2 Timothy this way is deeply freeing for me.
Almost every measure of success that naturally captures my heart is external and largely outside my control. Almost every measure Paul gives Timothy is about faithfulness.
Not recognition. Not numbers. Not applause. Not comparison. Faithfulness. The Lord never said that he’s looking for us to produce certain results. We serve, open our homes, use our gifts, pray, worship, give, share the gospel, pour into others, love our neighbours, endure suffering, and we leave the results to him. Our call is to be faithful, but the fruit belongs to Him, so that He alone will receive the glory.
Perhaps this is a question worth asking beyond our church ministry.
What does success look like for you?
If you're a parent, is success raising children who make you look good—or faithfully loving, discipling, and praying for the children God has entrusted to you?
If you're a husband or wife, is success having a happy, effortless marriage—or faithfully loving your spouse through every season, just as Christ has called you to love?
If you're an employee or employer, is success making as much money as possible—or using the gifts God has given you to work heartily, knowing that ultimately you are serving the Lord?
If you're retired, a student, a volunteer, a homemaker, or a church member, what standard have you quietly adopted without realizing it?
Every calling has its own temptations. Every calling has its own version of worldly success. But God calls His people back to something far better. Faithfulness.
One day we will not stand before Christ to compare statistics, achievements, or recognition. We will stand before Him as servants. So let’s live in such a way that by his grace we know that we will hear the words that define true success: “Well done, good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:21)
