You may not know, but I love watching college football. I am a big sports fan, and college football is my favorite. Sometimes I make my kids – who are not big sports fans – sit and watch games with me. I tell myself it’s good for them.
I love college football because there is more surprise and less off-field drama than pro football. I love it because I played football for a year in college and know some of what these student athletes are going through. And I love it for the competition. Am I a competitive person? YES!!! I have been competitive my whole life. Don’t believe me? Let’s play something together. Game on!
I have had to learn through the years to dial back my competitiveness. Being overcompetitive can be a big mistake and character fault. I have made a lot of mistakes and had to grow a lot in this area. So as I went into ministry, some people tried to tell me that competitiveness didn’t really fit into a “pastor’s mindset.” I totally disagree.
I want to WIN in ministry. I want to see people fall in love with Jesus. I want to see God’s dream for the church come true. I want to see more people become fully devoted followers of Jesus, worship without shame, study His word, serve with all their hearts, desire to obey Him, work for justice, give faithfully, have fun together, and care for needy and hurting people. Winning in ministry is about more lives transformed by Jesus.
I love that I get to serve and lead in a church that wants to win! Since we follow Jesus, we know we are already on the winning team, and we want to live like it. We don’t want to sit on the sidelines or just show up; we want to win. Winning takes hard work, discipline, and sacrifice. It is an amazing experience to be able to serve with so many people who are in this battle to win.
What do you think? Is “winning” a good attitude to have for ministry? Anything that could be wrong or faulty with this thinking?
