Pastor, how do you measure your success? Is it by how many attended Sunday School last Sunday? By your rank in baptisms among your fellow pastors? By the salary your church pays you? By the accolades you receive about being a 'great preacher'? By having the 'growingest' church, number-wise, in your area? By how many meetings you have preached?

May I suggest you ask these questions instead. How well are my sheep cared for? Are they well fed? Do their wounds receive oil and wine? Do I actually kill any wolf that tries to harm my sheep? Do I really know them and their needs? Do they really know me? (John 10:14 Shouldn't we be like the 'Good Shepherd?') Do I not only teach about the green pastures, but actually lead them to them? Do the sheep feel safe when I'm around? Do I know where each of my sheep is, after all, is not that the shepherd's job? Do I care more about 'waxing eloquent' on Sunday morning or the sheep actually getting something to feed their souls?

Is pastoring about pastors or sheep? The only reason there is a pastor is because the sheep need one. Whatever wisdom the pastor receives from God is by grace and for the sole reason of helping his sheep, not for vaunting himself above the sheep saying, "Hey, look how wise I am."

Are you a success? Ask your sheep? ... I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you....And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved. (II Corinthians 12:14-15)
 

Think About It! For the Sheep's Sake!