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I think we make subconscious value judgments all the time. We decide whether something is worth our time by the impact we feel it makes. The same is true of ministry. We want our lives to count, the question is how? How can you make the most impact in ministry? Let me share four ways I think the Bible answers that question.

1. Start from a place of humility

In Paul’s letter to the Romans, right before he lists various spiritual gifts, he gives a caution: “I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned” (Romans 12:3). He knows that if we’re going to make an impact in ministry, we’ll have to start from a place of humility.

I remember talking to a person who had enrolled in Bible college, and I asked him what he wanted to do when he graduated. He told me that he saw himself as a conference speaker. He imagined that with a degree under his belt, he’d soon be filling up football stadiums with people clamouring to hear him. Not surprisingly, he never ended up in full-time ministry.

We position ourselves to be used by God when we approach ministry in humility and don’t assume that we’re the next apostle Paul.

2. Don’t envy what you can’t do

The Book of Acts describes a man named Simon who was amazed at the ministry of the apostles. He saw the impact that they had and couldn’t help but want to be a part of it. At one point, he actually offered them money to get the power they seemed to have to give the Holy Spirit to those whom they laid their hands on (Acts 8:18-19). Peter was rightly outraged and warned him to repent.

While Simon’s actions may have been extreme, his attitude isn’t uncommon. It’s easy for us to envy others in ministry. We often wish we were something that we’re not. And when we think like that, we miss seeing God’s unique design for us. I spent the early years of my Christian life trying to be a poor imitation of other Christians I admired. I became more effective in ministry when I stopped envying and imitating others and sought to be who God created me to be.

3. Focus on serving not excelling

As Jesus’ disciples started getting their feet wet in ministry, they started comparing and competing. At one point, it got so bad that they had an argument as to who was the greatest. Jesus rebuked them saying, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all” (Mark 9:35). Jesus’ views on greatness are upside down compared to the world. Jesus sees greatness in terms of service.

I knew a Japanese pastor who was famous for raising up leaders and training pastors. He was once asked how he was able to find and develop such capable people. He said that he looks for them in the parking lot. He ministers in a part of Japan known for heavy snowfalls. He found that many of the men who were willing to shovel faithfully had the humility and diligence to also pastor faithfully.

4. Don’t underestimate your place in the body

The church in Corinth had a problem that you may have felt. There were some who felt their contribution to the church was so insignificant that it wasn’t worth their time. They didn’t feel as if they really belonged because their service wasn’t as prominent or flashy as some of the others. Paul persuaded them that it wasn’t so.

“If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose” (1 Corinthians 12:17-18).

The point of his metaphor is that none of us can have any real impact on our own. When we serve as God has created us, we contribute to something that’s bigger. Together we can make an impact on this world no matter how insignificant our gifts and talents might feel.

Do you tend to overestimate your contribution or underestimate it? Do you feel that your church must be blessed to have you on the team, or do you wonder if there’s a place for you? Give yourself to ministry like the faithful shovelers in the snowy parking lot in Japan and don’t look over your shoulder or wonder whether you’re better or worse than anyone else. God is the One who rewards ministry that comes from a true heart of gratitude and humility. And as we each play our part, God makes an eternal impact in this world through us.

In awe of Him,

Paul