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Marks of a successful ministry

Discussion in 'Evangelism, Missions & Witnessing' started by Crabtownboy, Jan 30, 2013.

  1. Crabtownboy

    Crabtownboy Well-Known Member
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    What are the marks of a modern successful ministry?
     
  2. padredurand

    padredurand Well-Known Member
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    We are not called to be successful in ministry. We are called to be faithful.
     
  3. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    Doing Gods work in Gods way at Gods time in Gods place - even if it means only one convert after ten years of ministry.

    Now man may have another view.......
     
  4. mont974x4

    mont974x4 New Member

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    Exactly. The only issue is our own obedience.
     
  5. 12strings

    12strings Active Member

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    One that faithfully holds out the God of the Gospel to its members, and to the world, with confidence, hope, and joy.
     
  6. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Administrator
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    Big numbers.
    Big budget.
    Big media activity.
    Big name preacher.
    Big following.
    Big names.

    Oh, wait. You said "successful" ministry, not a "godly" ministry, right? :BangHead:
     
  7. Tom Bryant

    Tom Bryant Well-Known Member

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    Great Answer!
     
  8. RG2

    RG2 Member
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    You forgot Big Name Worship Leader and Big Campus with Multiple Sites.

    It is sad but so often what's considered a "successful" ministry isn't necessarily a "godly" ministry.
     
  9. SaggyWoman

    SaggyWoman Active Member

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    What do you consider "successful"?
     
  10. USN2Pulpit

    USN2Pulpit New Member

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    May I just say that just because a ministry might have some or even several of the above characterstics doesn't necessarily make it ungodly, right?

    Here's something I've had to deal with myself - so I'm not pointing fingers at anybody other than myself: When I have complained about bigger churches, many times it's because I was envious of the things they had - better facilities, more volunteers, bigger budget, bigger following, better media, more talented instrumentalists or singing ensembles...and the list could go on and on.

    I do wonder - honestly - have any other pastors dealt with these feelings. Some time ago, I determined to leave so many of those issues and my "ministry envy" in the hands of the Lord, and to be content with what he has given us.
     
  11. Crabtownboy

    Crabtownboy Well-Known Member
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    Good for you! Best thing to do, leave it in the hands of the Lord.

    I firmly believe that a big church cannot be a loving family of believers in the way as that of a small church. This is not a criticism of a large church. It is an observation from my own life.
     
  12. RG2

    RG2 Member
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    No, I don't think just because it has those characteristics it's automatically ungodly. I think where you end up with issues is when a ministry is FOCUSED on those characteristics instead of the ministry. I know a number of ministries that have all of those things, but it was all the result... not the focus of the ministry they are doing.

    On the flip side, if a ministry doesn't have those things... it doesn't mean they are godly either.

    I do believe there is a lot of ministry envy out there. I can tell you I've been there, when your church runs off well water and the well runs dry and your filling up the toilets by hand just so you can flush them.... you have a little envy of the church down the street with the full time cleaning staff and big budget. Sometimes it can be though, but we need to remember that God places people in places for His purposes.

    In the end though it's about where your focus is.
     
  13. gb93433

    gb93433 Active Member
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    God's view of success done His way:
    Joshua 1:8, "This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success."

    God's view of man's view of success:

    James 4:14, "Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away."

    God's way of doing things is with eternity in mind. Man's way of doing things is with the world in mind.
     
  14. USN2Pulpit

    USN2Pulpit New Member

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    Well said.
     
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