Measuring Success

I was reading an article in Christianty Today online by Art Lindlsey* whose quote from C. S. Lewis’ Mere Christianity started me to think:

“We all want progress," he wrote in Mere Christianity. “But progress means getting nearer to the place you want to be and if you have taken a wrong turning, then to go forward does not get you any nearer. If you are on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; and in that case, the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive man. We have all seen this when we do arithmetic. When I have started a sum the wrong way, the sooner I admit this and go back and start over again, the faster I shall get on. There is nothing progressive about being pigheaded and refusing to admit a mistake. And I think if you look at the present state of the world, it is pretty plain that humanity has been making some big mistakes. We are on the wrong road. And if that is so, we must go back. Going back is the quickest way on.”  

Many worship leaders want to be innovative, cutting edge, or “progressive” to borrow from Lewis.  It is so easy to get caught up in following the latest trends, copying or imitating the “hottest” Christian artists,  bands, or churches.  Most of these people artists are sincere and godly individuals seeking to follow Christ the best way they can.  However, many times young worship leaders copy the externals of theses artists' style, dress, methodology, etc., and miss the personal struggle and process God brought those individuals through to get them to this point.  Failure to see the process and circumstances God used to mold and make them into the individuals they have become can lead to a lot of expended energy and frustration when things don’t work out as expected.  There are no shortcuts. We need to be careful not to fall into the trap of wanting the results and ignoring the process. As someone once said, "God is more concerned in making us holy, than happy."

We need to be honest enough to evaluate what we are doing compared to biblical standards, not other leaders or churches around us.  When we get to heaven, I doubt seriously if God will ask us why we didn’t use the latest projection software, or how we did compared to another person. The goal is to become like the “full measure of Christ.”  It is so easy to forget the focus dying to self and allowing Christ to remold our character and responses, and to be obedient to the great commission and great commandments.

Look again at the Lewis’ quote:
“We all want progress, but progress means getting nearer to the place you want to be and if you have taken a wrong turning, then to go forward does not get you any nearer. If you are on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; and in that case, the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive man.”

By what or by who are we measuring progress and success?  If it is anything less than Christ, we might need to stop and see if we are on the right road in the ministry. God doesn’t measure how many hits we get on our videos on Youtube or blog, nor is He impressed by book or music sales. The question is are we fulfilling His purpose for our lives by reflecting His glory, His nature and character?  If not, then, the smartest and most “cutting edge” thing we can do is get back on the right road.

How can we do that? Let me provide some links of previous blogs that will help us look in that direction. I hope and pray these might be helpful and useful.

Twelve Lessons for Worship Leaders from the Life of David
Where Am I as a Worship Leader?
When God Rejects His Leaders
Common Traits of Those Who Fail in the Ministry
Six Questions Those that Lead Worship Must Ask


*”Why We Need 'Dinosaurs' Like C. S. Lewis” .Art Lindsley/ APRIL 29, 2014