I came across this article by David Armstrong from Pottstown, PA one day when I was looking through a file of newsletters from churches with Lay Pastors Ministries. I believe we can all relate to Mr. Armstrong’s article on measuring success in our caring ministries. I know I can.
Sometimes I feel totally energized and on top of the world and then, at times, I feel like I’m accomplishing nothing for the kingdom. How do we get on an even keel?This is what David Armstrong wrote regarding how we measure success: How Do YOU Measure Success?
One of the toughest things in life is to keep going when you don’t feel like you are doing very well. That’s true in a marriage, in parenting, in a job, in school, and in ministry. But how do you measure how well you are doing in the various areas of your life? Your grade depends on your evaluation tool, doesn’t it? Sometimes our tool is perfection- – God’s moral standard. Often it is not a fixed standard at all – we just go by what significant other people tell us. At other times we measure our performance against a very subjective (and perhaps fuzzy) set of values that we have internalized somewhere along the way.
It is particularly difficult to measure success when we are looking at how we are doing with other people. A major reason why I (Dave Armstrong) am drawn to tasks related to taxes, ac-counting, and computers is that I get fast feedback – I quickly know whether I did something right or wrong. But in most of my life activities – people things – it is often years before I hear that I was helpful. That sense of success is pretty elusive. And several of you have told me you feel that way about your Care Coordinator ministry – it is tough to know that you are doing well.
I wish I could easily measure how well you are doing. You and I both know that we don’t measure the important things. Instead we measure “pointers” – how many contacts are being made; who we are missing. But occasionally someone will affirm you – a thank-you note, a few words of gratitude, friendliness when you make your contact. As always, your primary sense of satisfaction (of success) needs to come from relying on what our Lord has said to you. Listen to His words once more.
“Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you … I was a stranger and you invited me in … I was sick and you looked after me … “. Matt. 25:35
-by Else Rodland
Director of Ministry Operation, LPMI
