Church leaders are often measured by what they produce.
How well did they preach?
How many people attended?
Did the ministry grow?
Was the event successful?
Did the team meet its goals?
These questions matter, but they are not the first questions God asks.
Before God develops the work, He develops the worker.
Ministry Can Grow Faster Than the Minister
Opportunity can increase before character is ready.
Influence can expand before the soul has developed the strength to carry it.
A leader may gain a larger platform without gaining deeper patience, humility, wisdom, or self-control.
Growth doesn’t automatically produce maturity. Sometimes growth only exposes where maturity is missing.
Devotion Strengthens the Inner Life
Paul told Timothy to pay attention to both himself and the teaching.
That order matters.
The leader is part of the ministry.
Our spiritual health affects how we use authority, handle disagreement, respond to failure, receive praise, and treat people who cannot advance our position.
A devotional life gives God regular access to these parts of us.
It keeps asking:
Who am I becoming?
What is shaping my desires?
Where is pride growing?
What is God correcting?
What obedience have I delayed?
Invest in Formation Before Expansion
Leaders invest in books, conferences, technology, staff, buildings, programs, and training.
We should.
But we must also invest in the formation of our souls.
The future of a ministry is affected by the spiritual depth of those entrusted to lead it.
A gifted leader may build something impressive.
A formed leader can build something faithful.
Become Before You Build
God is concerned about the ministry He has entrusted to you. He is also concerned about the person you are becoming while carrying it.
Success is not simply completing the assignment.
Success includes becoming more like Christ while doing the work.
God’s work through you should never become more important than God’s work within you.
Paul D. Flowers, Sr. 