How do you rate success??

How do you rate success? Of course, the actual act of reaching “success” is purely one of relevancy and personal opinion. Does making an annual $50,000, $75,000 or even $250,000 denote success? Does having a roof over your head, clothes on your back and a decent vehicle to drive denote success? Does being a member at the Country Club or children at the most prestigious private school denote success? Does having a wonderful spouse and adoring children make you successful?

The early years of my career I was a full-time local church Worship Pastor (aka Minister of Music). In my eyes during those formative years, a bunch of expensive/elaborate suits (including shirts, ties and shoes), a fine luxury car (the bigger the better), “bling-bling” watches/rings and a ministry to “hang your hat on” and be noted for were the marks of career success. Ugh!!

Even though I’m not in full-time local church ministry (of course, “full-time” is relevant as well — ha!), I remain heavily involved on the local church level. Having a father, grandfather and several ministry uncles makes ministry pretty tough to run away from. Early in my ministry career it was the size of my choir, the number of people in my orchestra, the most up-to-date audio and video gear at my fingertips and singing the most progressive songs available that made me feel successful. Those are all great aspirations and I trust every church around the world can aspire to greatness and not be fuddy-duddy’s, but…

Here’s what I call success today…

1. Having a lovely, Christian wife who loves and respects me
2. Having two beautiful children who love God as much as they do life itself
3. Having a position (career) that allows me to create worship resources that enable churches to “raise the bar” in reaching others for Christ
4. Having a heart for God that allows me to sing to Him, sing about Him and sing for Him

I’ve heard a statement by Don Moen several times that has stuck with me throughout the years. He says, “It’s easy to get the people on the front row at church to sing along with you; but when you can get the truck driver on the back row to sing a few bars with you, then I’ve done my job as a worship leader.” Don’s statement has been held close to my heart and I’ve adhered to it so personally. I’m no longer about the glam and glitz that seems to be the desiring and driving force for many out there.

Some years ago while on the creative staff at Integrity Music, I had the pleasure of being the A&R guy for several projects recorded by Michael Neale and Christ Fellowship Church in West Palm Beach, FL. During one night of live recording, a song that I had probably heard over a dozen or more times in preparation for this night of recording hit me square in the eyes. This song is titled “Not Unto Us”. I had a personal prayer that I had been meditating on for sometime that no matter the success I found in life that God would receive the ultimate glory for it. During the recording of this song that night, I cried like I hadn’t in a long time. It was if God was giving me confirmation that my prayer was not a prayer of the head, but truly a prayer of my heart. That you Lord!!!

So, how do you rate success? Yes, it can be totally relevant, but I trust we all can stop climbing to the top of that next Mt. Everest to focus on the things that bring better success for the greater good.

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You can download the song “Not Unto Us” from iTunes by clicking on this direct link: Not Unto Us (from Bigger Than Life)