How to Achieve Pastoral Success
Defining Pastoral Success
Pastoral success is doing the work that a pastor is actually supposed to do: praying, opening God's Word, being present with people, showing his love to them, walking with them through the ups and downs of life, and equipping them for works of service.
Don't bury your talent in the sand—offer it. The Lord will bear the fruit with it.
Do Pastor's Work
Am I doing what a pastor is supposed to do? If a plumber also happens to be a good accountant and he helps his neighbors with accounting, the neighbors are very happy because their accounting was awesome—but at the end of the day the pipes are still unfixed. So the plumber still has to do the plumber's work.
The Imperfect Pastor
Zack Eswine
Written in a compelling memoir style, Eswine reflects on the failures, burnout, pain, and complexities that come with pastoral ministry—helping readers find significance in the ordinary through honest conversation and theological reflection.
Trust God to Use You
Trust that God's going to bring about the fruit that he intends. Don't bury your talent in the sand—offer it. The Lord will bear the fruit with it.
So, am I doing the work I'm called to? And am I leaving the success up to him? I think that's where pastoral success starts.
Related Articles
How Celebrity-Pastor Culture Impacts Pastors
We wrestle with this invitation to do a truly great thing by serving the least, while inside of us and outside of us, we're pressured to make much of ourselves.
One of the deepest fears an earnest pastor has is that he is going to let God down.
When Did You Realize You Were an Imperfect Pastor?
Recognition of pastoral imperfections and flaws comes with experience and reflection on past ministry.