The correct standard of success
We need to correctly understand what success in church and house church is. This is because we can become very discouraged when there is no fruit or when things are not going well in the house church. When we are not doing the correct things, this is a failure. However, if we are doing the correct things and not seeing any fruit, this is not a failure.
There is nothing wrong with hoping for success, but you have to hold onto the correct standard of success. Our success must be seen as success in front of God. A shepherd who holds onto just one lost soul, wrestling and praying for them, regardless of whether they bear fruit, has a successful house church and is a successful shepherd. There are many good shepherds and shepherd’s wives who bear little fruit. Even if things aren’t going well right now, a shepherd who continues to make the effort to serve and volunteer is doing valuable work.
People of this world may view pastors, shepherds, and wives who spend their lives wrestling for a few lost souls as insignificant and pointless. But, that ‘pointless’ path is holy. It is a path filled with joy and elation that this world does not know of and cannot give.
In the house churches ministry, there are many pastors, shepherds and shepherd’s wives who have dreams of God’s kingdom in their heart and wrestle in difficult circumstances. These are people who, in their ministry, stand before God with tears and prayers for one lost soul. These people are already well-known in God’s kingdom. They may not receive glory or recognition in this world. But, God will certainly acknowledge and praise them. This is because they are already seen as successful before God.
Therefore, we should always look at our motives for success. Are we living, dedicating ourselves to the work God wants us to do and faithfully doing the work God is telling us to do? Regardless of whether the fruit is many or little, are we living a life faithfully striving to serve and help one lost soul gain life? If so, we have a successful house church and are a successful shepherd.
This column is adapted from a post written by Pastor Jae-Jeong Kim.
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수정교회 번역팀 2021.11.21 18:53
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We need to correctly understand what success in church and house church is. This is because we can become very discouraged when there is no fruit or when things are not going well in the house church. When we are not doing the correct things, this is a failure. However, if we are doing the correct things and not seeing any fruit, this is not a failure.
There is nothing wrong with hoping for success, but you have to hold onto the correct standard of success. Our success must be seen as success in front of God. A shepherd who holds onto just one lost soul, wrestling and praying for them, regardless of whether they bear fruit, has a successful house church and is a successful shepherd. There are many good shepherds and shepherd’s wives who bear little fruit. Even if things aren’t going well right now, a shepherd who continues to make the effort to serve and volunteer is doing valuable work.
People of this world may view pastors, shepherds, and wives who spend their lives wrestling for a few lost souls as insignificant and pointless. But, that ‘pointless’ path is holy. It is a path filled with joy and elation that this world does not know of and cannot give.
In the house churches ministry, there are many pastors, shepherds and shepherd’s wives who have dreams of God’s kingdom in their heart and wrestle in difficult circumstances. These are people who, in their ministry, stand before God with tears and prayers for one lost soul. These people are already well-known in God’s kingdom. They may not receive glory or recognition in this world. But, God will certainly acknowledge and praise them. This is because they are already seen as successful before God.
Therefore, we should always look at our motives for success. Are we living, dedicating ourselves to the work God wants us to do and faithfully doing the work God is telling us to do? Regardless of whether the fruit is many or little, are we living a life faithfully striving to serve and help one lost soul gain life? If so, we have a successful house church and are a successful shepherd.
This column is adapted from a post written by Pastor Jae-Jeong Kim.