This video of my (then 4-year-old) son Silas scoring his first goal in soccer was the first I ever posted on YouTube.
He shoots! He scores! And he declares, "Daddy, I win! I win!"
Since the outcome of that 4-year-old mob-soccer game wasn't going into any record books anywhere, I suppose it's fair to say that by scoring a goal, Silas did indeed win.
Much has been written (in countless books on leadership) about "defining the win." Last year Charlie Sheen made a very big deal out of "winning" - using a definition that I believe only he might live by.
As I contemplate my personal day-to-day operations of disciple-making and kingdom-building enterprises, I am constantly reminded to evaluate and re-evaluate what it means to win in our service to Jesus.
Outside of my ministry work, there are a few things that I enjoy immensely:
- Playing golf
- Coaching little league baseball
- Playing tennis
- Fishing
- Songwriting
When I particiapte in any of those activites, whether alone or with others, I always have a clear set of personal expectations on how the endeavor may conclude and at what point I feel that my expectations have been met; i.e. whether or not I got a win!
Sometimes I go fishing with my sons or a buddy and the purpose of the trip is to build our relationships. Other times, I'm going to catch fish. If the purpose of the trip was to deepen in our relationships and that happens, then catching fish in the process is a bonus. But if I have no other plan than to hook me some trout, then the trip is a bust if I fail to do so.
As a church leader, I have many roles. Sometimes my duties are related to the individual investment of time and energy into people. Other times, my responsibilities are much more broad and might involve the planning and/or execution of a larger event or program which includes lots of people.
Regardless of the gig, I have been challenging myself lately to define my win by making three assessments:
1) What are the expectations of those to whom I am ministering (individual or group)?
2) What do I realistically believe that I can do to meet those expectations?
3) What are God's expectations of me in this situation?
I believe that in order to most effectively define a win, I need to employ this trifecta. By evaluating a specific set of expectations on all three parts, I find that it becomes easier to ensure that my efforts are focussed and effective, and that I am able to stand before God with a clear conscience; knowing that my motives were not only others-centered, but that they were Spirit-led.