In my last blog I shared about mistake number one: replacing Jesus with ministry and today let me share with you the 2nd mistake most leaders commit.

ALLOWING COMPARING TO REPLACE CONTENTMENT.

In a world where achievements and stats are often displayed for the world to see (whether it is pinterest, instagram, church websites), most of us tend to look and covet for the success of church ministries in our city.  That is a wrong move.  Do not compare somebody else’s highlight reel to your reality.

Even within the church, we tend to compare the programs, achievements, success and failures of different departments creating a very hostile environment for pastors and leaders to fail. One of the biggest room we should have in church today is the room for improvement. The mentality with this mistake is that the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.

James 3:14-16English Standard Version (ESV)

14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.

We have to be content with who we are, where we are, what we are doing and what God is doing through us. Church ministry and leadership does not define us. Jesus defines us. We must be clear about that.

Now self analysis and feedback is different. We need to practice the discipline of comparing ourselves to ourselves.

Dave Kraft said that it is good to compare what is happening through me and in me with what could potentially happen. It is good to compare where I am in my growth and ministry and ministry effectiveness with where it is possible to be, with God’s grace.

Church leader, wherever you are in your ministry, find contentment not in your work but in Christ. Let Christ define you and not your work. Stop comparing and ask God to give you the strength to be content with who you are.