“As usual, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Messiah to suffer and rise from the dead…” (Acts 17:2)
What does success look like in ministry? When I talk about ministry, I’m speaking of our ministry before God; our service and mission, which is to “make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:19). So what does it mean to be successful for the Christian? Let’s take it at an individual level. When we share the gospel with a group of people and no one comes to believe in Jesus, have we failed?
When we look at Paul, we find something rather interesting about his ministry. In Acts 17:2, it says. “As usual, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Messiah to suffer and rise from the dead.” Paul’s strategy in fulfilling the great commission was to a town, find the nearest synagogue, and preach about Jesus. He would open the Word and declare Jesus to them. Now let’s look at the results of that. It says that “some of them were persuaded” and decided to become Christians. Success! But it also says, “But the Jews became jealous… and started a riot in the city.” In other words, some joined, and others didn’t. Was Paul successful? If it’s based upon how people respond, then the answer is in some cases “yes” and in other cases “no.” But successful ministry is not based on how people respond.
2 Corinthians says that to some, the gospel is an “aroma of death leading to death,” but to other people, it’s “an aroma of life leading to life.” In other words, we do not control how people receive the gospel. Elsewhere, Paul says that some plant and water, but ultimately it’s God who gives the growth. So you are not successful in your ministry just because many people come to believe. You aren’t a failure if people do not think so. Your success was secured by Christ’s life, death, burial, and resurrection. Because of that, you can leave the results up to God. Your job is to do what Paul did and share the gospel of Jesus. That’s what success is for the Christian.