Well Known or Well Done?
Mark Driscoll, Matt Chandler, Perry Noble, John Piper, Mark Dever, CJ Mahaney, John MacArthur, Francis Chan, Rick Warren, Craig Groeschel, Wayne Cordeiro, Andy Stanley, Ed Young, the list goes on and on. Well known pastors, fruitful leaders, each with their own area of exceptional competence, each with an influence and an impact that appears far greater than my own in one or many ways. And those are just a few of the names that come to mind . . . names of people I don’t know or hardly know. Then there are friends whose ministries also exceed my own, Jack Graham, Bill Hybels, Greg Laurie, Jim Cymbala, David Jeremiah, Bob Coy, etc., another long list.
Man I get sick of hearing about these people. Every day they are blogging and writing and preaching and holding conferences, and making an impact and building the kingdom. Hey!!! HEY, Look at me, I’m doing something too! When do I get my name in lights? When do I get my head above the crowd? If we are not careful we can trap ourselves in a game of comparison and even criticism. “Yeah, well he may be reaching a lot of people, but he’s not doing it right,” or “Really? You think that is an appropriate way to talk to God’s people?” Or “I would never be as arrogant, or self-promoting, or compromising, or . . . ?” Here’s how I have slain the dragon of ministry comparison:
1) We are on the same team: Rejoice!
Anyone who believes in the necessity of the new birth and the authority of the Word of God is on our team. They may play the game a little different but if we are for the King and the Kingdom we should be able to delight in any wins they experience as wins for the team. It’s a great heart check to get yourself to the place where the blessing of God upon other ministries truly causes your heart joy. Cultivate the capacity to express genuine thankfulness whenever you hear of a fellow servant that is making an impact upon a needy area for Christ. I know I can’t be there, and I am so grateful that he or she is. “Rejoice with those who rejoice” (Romans 12:15).
2) All is not as it appears: Reflect!
The Bible makes it clear again and again, (e.g., 1 Corinthians 3:13) that there will be surprises at the judgment seat of Christ. Big is not only not better; it might not even be blessed by God. The demands faced by high profile ministers can be crushing and we should not allow ourselves to see their roles as more satisfying than they really are. I can honestly say that the bit of fruitfulness I have seen has been as much a burden as a blessing. Beyond that, all that appears fruitful is not necessarily so, and some things that appear less effective on the surface are being greatly used of God. This should cause all of us to examine our own motives and ministries so by God’s grace we can be on the right side of that final surprise. “The last will be first and the first will be last” (Matthew 20:16–that verse has always scared me).
3) Jesus Himself is the prize not “success:” Rest
Yes, I love to serve but I must always remember that I serve because I love. The great commandment is about being in relationship with God and others, not about bearing fruit or building ministry. I have to continually wean myself off the addiction of ‘doing,’ things for God and on to the dependence of being in relationship with Him. I can’t speak for what others are doing but I know that in the end I want to log my best hours as Mary not as Martha. The goal of ministry is to get people deeper and deeper into a God glorifying, soul satisfying relationship with Christ. I want to be about modeling, enjoying and resting in that as my highest calling. “Be content with such things as you have for He has said, ‘I will never leave you or forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).
In about 10 more minutes (or so it will seem), we are gonna be standing before Jesus Christ and the words we will be longing to hear are not “Well known,” but “Well done!” Let’s believe that others are going for that too, whether we know their names or not and let’s rejoice when we see others fruitfulness, reflect upon our own motivations for serving Christ and let’s rest in the knowledge that . . . “Promotion does not come from the east or the west, God is the judge, who sets up one and puts down another” (Psalm 75:7). 
Categorized as: Christian Life, Leadership, Ministry
July 16th, 2009 at 11:46 am
Well said, each of those listed love God (all of His Word) and others. Let’s all focus on being sold out for Jesus (and not looking build up ourselves for our own pleasure).
July 16th, 2009 at 11:48 am
I love this. Thanks for continuing to invest in my life through this blog and your teaching.
Ron Edmondson
http://www.RonEdmondson.com
Thought I’d promote while I was at it
July 16th, 2009 at 11:53 am
Thanks Brother James!
I needed that! Good stuff!
July 16th, 2009 at 11:54 am
Good word brother! Well said. Thank you! I appreciate your transparency and heart.
July 16th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
Thanks James. We (North Point Fellowship – Harvest Affiliate) are little, blessed and growing and so thankful that we can glorify God. Yet in our world (Flagstaff), it is so easy to compare. We ARE on the same team,(those who chase after Jesus) and each piece of glory aimed at Jesus is a victory for all. Serving Together!
July 16th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
Right on James! Thomas Merton once said, “pride is born of comparison.” When we compare ourselves to others we are always in danger of thinking ourselves better or worse, instead of rejoicing in our Christ-given identity!
You are a blessing!
July 16th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
When one truly realizes that being in the Christian “limelight” is NOT glorious, then they begin to understand that it is a constant and daily surrendering… IF you are doing it because you love and have the RIGHT motives. I have been in ministry with many “famous” and REAL Christians and it’s a lonely walk. The warfare is intense. Yet, there is nothing like observing the way He works and when someone comes to Him or takes that next step in their walk of faith. All the pain, human expectations from others (aka. criticism), etc… fall into the shadows of the LIGHT that shines so brilliantly.
July 16th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
James,
Thank you for the power & penetrating “Kingdom reality check!” This is especially meaningful coming from someone in your position to all of us in ministry. I hope to re-read this exhortation often to keep my eyes and heart fixed on the proper goal and treausre.
Your coworker in Christ,
Jon G.
July 16th, 2009 at 12:50 pm
Amen,
Thanks James. Why do we want to be famous when we are so loved by the famous one? He is the only one who deserves the glory…I pray the Lord does not give us fame over a real and humble connection to Him. Like the love of money, too much attention can make us forget about Jesus and His life in us. May we be life giving, not bigger than life.
Blessings, Garrett
Thanks Garrett:
My heart is so tender right now that my eyes filled with tears just reading that first sentence. “Why do we want to be famous when we are so loved by the famous one?” AMEN!!
james
July 16th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
Amen James,
I believe every pastor has this exact struggle, regardless of size or name. We all include you in the group you list, so it’s great for you to make it clear; It’s no different at any level, regardless of size of church, or level of perceived success. Thanks, as always, for being so transparent.
Dave.
July 16th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
One of the hardest (and costly) things I have ever done was to stand for Christ, as an elder, against a pastor whose goal had become building his own kingdom, claiming Christ’s sheep as his own… and against fellow board members whose apathy in understanding the pastoral ministry enabled my beloved brother in his prideful ways.
Your words (specifically items 2&3) ought to cut each of our deceitful hearts to the quick for such pride resides in each of us… and it is generally going unchecked in evangelicalism for the sake of an errant love and a misunderstanding of unity in diversity.
Again your transparency Pastor James is refreshing and I am grateful to now be in a Harvest church (a bit of the fruit you spoke of!) where Christ is the goal, His purposes proclaimed, repentance is rejoiced over and His loved permeates its sanctuary and corridors!
Rejoice! Indeed.
Grace & Peace
Glenn Smith
July 16th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
Well Known or Well Done? Well Said!!
July 16th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
From a layperson’s perspective I love to hear stories of the different ministries of lay people, Pastors and missionaries!
As our world races toward our collective “Revelation chapters” in time, I think God will raise up mightier, stronger and more intense prophets to warn and confront our hedonistic world. No one will be without excuse.
As Joe Stowell once said, he stands on the shoulders of those who went before.
I pray that my son will be able to do more for the kingdom then I was ever able if Jesus tarries.
I weep at the beauty of the missionary that spent years witnessing with very little fruit and the 2nd generation of missionaries that have a huge harvest.
July 16th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
Brother James – good point my friend. We needed this 10 yrs ago. Thanks for telling the truth with grace seasoned with salt. I love it
Bruce
July 16th, 2009 at 3:11 pm
I’m sorry to say I have at times been swept up in the “whose gonna be greatest in the kingdom” game. None of us have any real original material, and any great ideas we have (if they are really good) must be credited to the Holy Spirit. I have recently been very weary of the danger us pastors face potentially using God’s Word and his Church as a platform to steal God’s glory. When Eve saw the fruit after Satan’s sales pitch she no longer saw God’s fruit but her opportunity for power. The Church is not our “big shot” it’s the Bride of Christ and she deserves men who love Her more than ourselves. We are not “tha man”. We are the little guy waiting backstage with great anticipation drawing the curtain back for the world to see the great glory of our God.
July 16th, 2009 at 3:17 pm
Lord, deliver me from the snare of comparison.
July 16th, 2009 at 4:24 pm
James,
Thanks for sharing and pastoring pastors. You are a blessing.
July 16th, 2009 at 4:32 pm
Wonderful insight! Thanks for sharing, James.
July 16th, 2009 at 7:44 pm
For the record – and I know you were not looking for it- but you’re the number one bible teacher in my book. Christ through you has made a HUGE impact on my life and walk.
Many times, in fact, I’ve stayed up way too late or brought my laptop on trips or went to work early just to be sure I don’t miss a message (thank you for the website with the archive list!). My little boys know the “walk-walk” song by heart and often sing it…meanwhile I’m taking notes on what you say so it penetrates and sticks.
Your transparancy and message of this post is greatly needed and appreciated. Oh, how I stumble with feelings of inadaquacy and defeat when my efforts in women’s ministry leadership or evangelism seems “insufficient.”
Lord, forgive me for trying to keep track of ministry success and help me to rest knowing YOUR GRACE IS sufficient.
Feasting on His Wonderful Word,
Susan
Jacksonville, FL
P.S. Praying regularly for you and Kathy.
July 17th, 2009 at 1:00 am
We just finished reading about the Hebrides Revival, Duncan Campbell. I am craving a downpour in self as well as in America. There is no comparison to Jesus. All our righteousness is like filthy rags. WE NEED A DOWNPOUR, not big heads. We can do what these seven men did if it is God’s will.
Hey, just a joke! You didn’t mention Chip. HA HA
July 17th, 2009 at 3:21 am
Thanks for this James. I recently came across this quote in my reading of Calvin’s Institutes:
“Again, we are enjoined, whenever we behold the gifts of God in others, so to reverence and respect the gifts, as also to honour those in whom they reside. God having being pleased to bestow honour upon them, it would ill become us to deprive them of it. Then we are told to overlook their faults, not, indeed, to encourage by flattering them, but not because of them to insult those whom we ought to regard with honour and good-will.” (Inst 3.7.4)
What a challenge! To truly be pleased for the success of others, with no jealousy, knowing that the honour is entirely found in HIM who we serve, rather than WHAT he would have us do in his service. May God work such a depth of humility and meekness in us.
Every blessing,
Martyn
July 17th, 2009 at 7:19 am
Thanks for the reminder! Great post.
July 17th, 2009 at 8:24 am
I needed God’s word from you this morning. I was struggling with an article I read a few minutes ago and was wondering about what was real Biblical truth. God led me to open your blog.You always show God’s truth with love and grace.
July 18th, 2009 at 2:19 pm
Thank-you for the great reminder. I just came from a mission trip with our youth group. We had the smallest group – 4 teens. We stayed in a room with a group that had almost 30. The first day I felt like I should just crawl us all back in the van and head home – nobody would miss us anyway. But the whole week was awesome! God worked in teen’s lives and my own. And I felt like I had a part in something bigger than myself – even if just a small part. God uses us in different ways and it’s a privilege no matter where or how. What a blessing to serve Christ! Thank the Lord for this reminder from Pastor MacDonald.
July 18th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
Pastor James,
I want to say thank you for your transparency and honesty. I have been a Harvest member for eight or nine years or so and have been working on remembering that you are just a man. I have been so moved by your teaching and the truth that you preach. I appreciate all that you have done for our church body and that you are a living example of how to love our Lord. I hope you are enjoying your sabbatical and are savoring the chance to rest in Him. You are always telling us that we are loved, don’t forget that you are too!
Love,
Michelle A.
July 18th, 2009 at 5:56 pm
James, thank you for those timely words. As I prepare for my small group flock BBQ this afternoon, I’m in BBQ mode and took “well done” in that context. We’re shooting for “well done”, not “over done”, and not “burned (out)”.
This blog entry reminds me that it isn’t my expectation level but the Lord’s that I need to be concerned with. In a desire to do our best for Him we can sometimes do more than we should… the burden heavier than it needs to be. We don’t know how long it is until Jesus’ return and I don’t know how long my race is, so I’m hoping for a sprint, but preparing for a marathon.
Thank you. I really appreciate being a part of the extended Harvest Bible Chapel family.