#10 "Not Defining Success"

How do you measure your own success. Obviously, the people you work for have expectations and keeping your job is some measure of success. But, what keeps you coming back. How do you know you are doing your job?

It seems there are five (5) elements that should go into your own formula for defining success. They are:

1. EXPECTATIONS: What do those who hire and pay you expect? Do you have a clear understanding of the stated and assumed expectations?

2. CAMPUS OR CHURCH SETTING: All campuses and churches are different. Comparing yourself to others can be very frustrating when it is an apples to oranges comparison.

Your situation determines what you can and cannot do.

3. PERSONAL GIFTS/STRENGTHS: The New Testament clearly teaches that God has made us to be different and wants to use us that way. Are you playing to your strengths and utilizing them to the fullest?

4. RESOURCES: Do you operate out of a large church, a backpack, a BCM Center or a broom closet? Do you have a significant budget, a staff, or what? Your resources must be a part of defining YOUR definition of success.

5. SATISFACTION/HOT BUTTON ISSUES: Satisfaction is in many ways more important than success. What do YOU have to do to be satisfied with your work and feel like it is worth doing. No one can answer that questions but you.

Use these 5 ingredients to figure your "success formula".

This is such a subtle temptation that we sometimes don’t realize we are doing it. And anyway, what’s wrong with it---given that all college ministers are spectacular creations of God.

Have you ever noticed that most students go to the seminary from which their college minister graduated or currently favors? This is an example of how we tend to shape our students to our mold without realizing it. One of the basic teachings of scripture is the idea that we are made differently and God wants to use us differently.

Are you limiting your ministry to those who want to be just like you?

When you meet with individuals to train or disciple them, do you stick to a list of things you want to teach them, or do they get to talk about their issues and needs?

Look around your ministry. How similar are your students in thought, style and gifts? Could it be that YOU are the problem?