Measuring Your Success By The Growth Of Others
“When you measure your own progress by the growth of those around you, we are all certain to prosper.”–Forrest E. Mars Jr.
The first time I read this quote I honestly rejected its simple wisdom. I never want to judge my personal progress or professional success by looking around and comparing myself to others. But, somehow this quote stuck in my head, like the catchy jingle for the food chopper you saw on late-night TV, to the point I had to write it down, analyze it, and blog about it.
If you look at this quote with a subtle distinction, I think the application of it is quite valuable:
We shouldn’t COMPARE our progress to the growth of those around us. But I believe at times we can benefit from MEASURING our progress by the growth of those around us.
It’s implied in this quote that we should take responsibility for the success of others in our sphere of influence. We should literally measure our own progress by how we have led others to progress.
As youth workers and student pastors, how do we define ministry success? Attendance numbers are easily measurable. But does that number quantify real discipleship? And, a winter retreat to the ski slopes without an injury is always a good thing. But is that all youth workers point to for markers of success? No broken limbs and high attendance numbers? Just another day in youth ministry, huh?
What if we looked outward for the signs of success? Forget taking an approval poll on your sermon style. And, leave the attendance record out of the equation for a while. Look outward to the people in your sphere of influence.
Three Groups That Measure Your Success
- Volunteers: Your closest companions in ministry should be growing in love for the ministry. Are you doing your part to influence and support their success in ministry? Are you watching for signs of burnout? Are you actively discipling your volunteers?
- Families of Your Teens: Are the hearts of the children being turned back toward their parents? Are the parents empowered to lead the spiritual and emotional education of their teenagers? Are you cheering the parents on and listening to their hearts?
- Church Staff: Are fellow pastors trusting you with more of the duties they once felt only they could handle? Are you supporting the efforts of other ministries besides your own? Do the other staff and pastors clearly understand your goals for ministry and know they can trust you?
Redirect your measure of success with an outward focus on the progress of others in your sphere of influence rather than yourself. After all, “whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.” –Mark 10:43
This way, we’re all certain to prosper.
Aaron Shaver has over 6 years experience in youth ministry. He is a motivational speaker, a blogger, and a “youth pastor’s helper.” Visit www.shaversrazor.com to check out Aaron’s multi-level resource for youth and the youth leaders.
Aaron,
Great post, makes me think about how others have challenged me to grow, so why wouldn’t I think that I can do the same for others? I think this leads back to John 15 when Jesus is in the center of our lives we will bear fruit. But, there is the tension of when we are comparing vs. measuring.
Thanks, Chris!
In my mind it’s all about creating a measure for success that is focused outwardly. For me, it has been too easy to become eagerly self-focused and forget that service to others is the real goal.
i knew that would work its way into a blog
hits me every time I go down that hallway.
Ha! Thanks, Greg. I wonder how Mr. Forrest Mars Jr. feels about his quote being contextualized for ministry purposes. Hmmm.
Well put Aaron. It’s terribly hard to measure but it’s true.
Thanks Aaron. I was a Youth Pastor for 8 years before I became a youth missionary with Word of Life 17 years ago. I remember getting together with other YP’s in the area and the naturally occuring comparisons of attendance, or involvement, or even spiritual growth. The problem was, my ministry always fell short. What literally saved my ministry after about 5 or 6 years into the ministry was finding the book: Liberating Ministry From the Success Syndrome…http://www.amazon.com/Liberating-Ministry-Success-Syndrome-Hughes.
Hughes basically says that we need to measure success by Faithfulness, Loving, Serving, Attitude, Holiness, etc. of ourselves. Many men in the Bible would not be considered successes if you look at those that they ministered to. When I arrived at the conclusion that my success depended on who I was inside, my ministry became much more successful in the way most people measure success. Thanks again for your ministry. Raymond
Raymond, That’s a great story, one that just about every youth worker can relate to. Thanks so much for sharing the book on the blog. Hopefully, if there are other youth workers struggling with this, they can go pick up the book. Thanks again for stopping by!