Measuring Up

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I've worked hard to get to the place where I can work hard.
— Knute Larson

Successes can be sweet — and sour.

The organ had started the prelude as would-be worshipers filed in for the third worship service. I was welcoming the people to our service at one of the doors.

I glanced at my watch; in only a minute or two I would need to make my way to the front of the sanctuary. I reached out and turned to welcome the next person.

"You're the most wonderful pastor in the world," the woman said, shaking my hand. Her husband nodded in agreement.

I smiled and turned to greet the couple standing behind them. As I reached out to shake the hand of the husband, he faked a punch to my solar plexis and said, "You're the stupidest pastor I've ever heard of." He seemed to have meant it, and his wife nodded in agreement.

I smiled again but chose to say nothing and then walked to the front of the sanctuary to begin the service. The couples had not overheard each other, but I clearly heard them both. The second couple had heard rumors about a particular staff problem at the time, and they chose to believe the worst about me.

As I tried to switch my mind and emotions to the next worship service, I asked God for grace. I concluded that if I believed either of those couples, I would be in trouble. But those sorts of comments come with the territory of outward success.

All pastors know times when things go well. We may not pastor a megachurch, but many of us pastor churches with a larger staff and budget than our previous charge. And no matter where we are, during some seasons of ministry, programs work, finances are healthy, and people are helped.

Though we may not be able to equate this outward success with God's ultimate standards, it is a reality most ...

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