Are you and your pastor on the same page when it comes to the definition of success? Success is a word that is truly open to interpretation and you and your Pastor could be inches or miles apart. Here’s what the wider version of a discussion about success could look like.
Their version of success means: You reach a lot of kids
Your version: I reached one kid. THAT Kid.
Their version of success: You caused the least amount of trouble
Your version: I took risks and chances that caused a stir
Their version of success: You are a self starter that does not need coddling
Your version: I am a team player who is in a mentoring relationship with my leaders.
Somewhere in the mix of these definitions you both have to come to an agreement of what success looks like for the youth ministry. If you cannot agree, there will be unfulfilled expectations and broken spirits. When you do come to agreement, life and ministry will be easier to navigate.
As a team, decide which of these phrases is our measure of success
This list
How many kids in the program
How many kids on the retreat
How many in Sunday School or Small Groups
How many on the volunteer team
Or this list
How many students have stepped up in leadership
How many kids bring their friends
How many kids have personal spiritual disciplines
How many guests have you had in the past few months
How many kids kids has the team connected with
How many new kids went on the missions trip
“How many” is only one dynamic of success but unfortunately it is the most visible and therefore judged more readily. Don’t forget to add other intangibles and growth markers to the list. Help the team or your pastor see some of the other things Jesus saw as success, like
Understanding truth (Luke 10:21)
Acts of faith (Peter stepping out in faith or the centurion’s faith)
Servanthood (following Jesus’ example of foot washing)
There are other examples in scripture and I invite you to search for them, model them and brag on them. Until then, find the balance and you’ll find success, if only in God’s sight.
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