What is Christian Success???

So here we all are. The Christmas season is over and i find myself back to the church for the start of 2010. The very first thing that i had my list was to evaluate my 2009 year. specifically my 2009 year in regards to youth ministry. Where we affective? did we achieve what we were hoping to achieve? Are youth actually better off or stronger in their faith as a result of the youth ministry? Are youth facing life with a strength and a confidence that they never had before? were we successful? wait a minute, what does that mean? what is meant in the christian church when we say the word success?

I think the problem in most churches today is that our consumerist mentality here in north america has brought us to believe that success in church is measured by the number of people we bring to salvation, or we base it on the technologically advanced stuff we have in the church, or if tithing is up and people are happy and comfortable. But is this at all what success looked like to Jesus?

I would suggest that success in the church is heavily based more on the intitial actions being taken rather then the expected results. For that matter, if the right actions are being taken then there should be expected certain kinds of resluts that are contrastly different then our culture would like to expect.

So what sort of actions should we be taking........ simply it is..... OBEDIENCE. the temptation in any ministry is to do things that attract the most people or make the most people happy. but if we were to adapt that mentality, then we could hire a rock band, fill the stage with scantaly clad girls, and i guarantee you we would fill the seats of churches with all kinds of people. Alas thats just not the kind of thing you want drawing people to Christ. Cause it wont!

Obedience is the only thing we can do, and the results are up to God, as His spirit works.

2 john 1:6- "and this love: that you walk in obedience to His commands. as you have heard from the beggining, His command is that you walk in love."

2nd corinthians 9:13- "because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Jesus Christ."

We think that as a church or as christians, we may find success by straying close to the worldy line, in an attempt to be more applicable. But the truth of the matter is, that God wants our full obedience and it is by that act that people will see God's love most affectivly. Youth ministry is especially suseptable to "cultural take overs". But i simply need to have faith that God's Holy Spirit will move in the hearts of young people as we faithfully teach the word, encourage, love and pray with a heart of thanks and worship. If the results are different then what we expect it, then so be it. As long as we are being humble enough to admit our mistakes, and let God take control.

In youth minstry I have some results that i feel would catagorize our ministry as successful.

1) Leaders are encouraged, recruited, developed and engaged
2) Visible signs of spiritual fruit is being seen in young people. (galatians 5:22)
3) Existence of meaningful connections with students and trusting relationships.
4) growth in my own spiritual walk and personal devotion and actions
5) ensuring safe guards and commitment to my role as a father and as a husband.
6) building meaningful relationships with unchurched people
7) experience a level of Christs suffering for obedience. (physically or mentally, or socially, or however that will look)

If you happen to be praying people out there, then please pray for God to move in this ministry. The youth in todays society are faceing such destructive influences. And i see youth ministry as such a strong force in counter balancing the messages that are out there.

What does success look like in ministry? ill leave that up to God ultimatley, im only here to be obedient to His word nothing else. Thats a difficult place to be in, but just for a little while ;).

blessings on everyone this new year.

Pastor Garrett