To measure success in ministry, leaders must take the time to evaluate two areas within their ministries very closely. The first area of measure should be centered on the Vision (Foresight: purpose, where, what and why) of a ministry. The second level of measure should be centered on the Administration (Insight: the mind of God; when, who, how) of a ministry. The presentation on the following pages explains in greater detail the effects that vision and administration have on the success of a ministry.
1. Quad A : high vision but high administration.
2. Quad B :high vision and low administration.
3. Quad C: low vision and low administration.
4. Quad D: low vision and high administration.
All ministries fall into one of these categories no matter how small or large it might be. It is important that the visionary regularly and honestly examines the condition of his ministry. The process of evaluation is not long nor tedious, but it is enlightening if the one doing the measuring can set aside pride, personal agendas and personal relationships and simply be "real".
Success in ministry has to do with the direct relationship between the level of vision and the level of administration. If your ministry falls into any quadrant but "A", you need to seek the direction of the Holy Spirit. God has designed ministry so that what you need for a successful ministry will be provided to you. You must have discernment to see what and who God sends to you for the purpose of improving your success level.
The ideal quadrant for ministries to fall into is "A", but in reality most do not because they have challenges with getting the proper balance between the vision of the ministry and the administration of the ministry. God graced us with the five-fold ministry to edify and grow His church. We must learn to receive not only what pastors and teachers have to say, but evangelist, prophets and apostles as well. All of these gifts have a definite place within the body of Christ. As long as we continue to disregard the prophet, evangelist and apostles our ministries will not operate in God-like excellence.
God has been giving us (mankind) what we need to be reconciled back to Him since man's "Garden Of Eden" experience. When we accept all of God's gifts as tools of reconciliation back to Him, our focus will no longer be on what we want, see and like, but what God desires. The gifts that God gives to each of us are not for ourselves, but are to be used to serve God and others. Ephesians: 4:11-16 in New Living Translation clearly supports the need for the five-fold ministry to be in operation in our ministries.
"11He is the one who gave these gifts to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12Their responsibility is to equip God's people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ, 13until we come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of Gods Son that we will be mature and full grown in the Lord, measuring up to the full stature of Christ.
14Then we will no longer be like children, forever changing our minds about what we believe because someone has told us something different or because someone has cleverly lied to us and made the lie sound like the truth. 15Instead, we will hold to the truth in love, becoming more and more in every way like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. 16Under his direction, the whole body is fitted together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love".
Written by: Wilma Wofford
