Measure of Our Success, The: An Impassioned Plea to Pastors [Paperback]

Shawn Lovejoy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2012

How do pastors measure success? Is it through the number of people who fill the pews on Sunday morning? Is it tied to programs, building projects, salary, or book deals? Is it about how much technology they use or what their worship band sounds like? Shawn Lovejoy has seen all of these measures of success lead pastors toward pride, self-reliance, loneliness, isolation, exhaustion, and, in the most extreme cases, self-destruction.

In this honest and encouraging book, he calls pastors back to the "main thing"--the call to love people and make disciples--and to measure their success the way God does. Using Scripture, personal examples, and case studies, Lovejoy gently leads pastors back to their first love, and in doing so he leads them toward a more effective and joy-filled ministry.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Our worth is simply not measured by our church attendance, programs, buildings, and budgets. At least it cannot be, or it will cost us. In fact, it already has.

Pastor Shawn Lovejoy has seen false measures of success do damage in his own life. In his work as speaker, consultant, and coach, he's also seen them lead to pride, self-reliance, loneliness, isolation, exhaustion, and even self-destruction in the lives of other pastors. In this transparent, brutally honest, yet encouraging book, he calls us back to measuring our success as pastors the way God does. Using Scripture, personal examples, and practical insights, Lovejoy leads us back to our first love and, in doing so, toward a more effective and healthy ministry.

With contributions from leading pastors, including

Larry Osborne
Steven Furtick
Mark Batterson
Chris Seay
Greg Surratt
and many more


"Too often we've listened to the false gods of competition and numbers instead of to the Holy Spirit and Scripture. Shawn offers us a needed corrective."--Larry Osborne, author; pastor of North Coast Church, Vista, CA

"An encouraging must-read for any pastor feeling discouraged, worn out, and worried that success will never come."--Greg Surratt, founding pastor of Seacoast Church, Mt. Pleasant, SC

"I wish I had this book when I started The Journey. I highly recommend that everyone who serves in the church read this cover to cover."--Darrin Patrick, author; lead pastor of The Journey, St. Louis, MO

"Shawn has given us a book filled with practical insight. I wish I could have gathered this much wisdom in one book when I set out to start my first church seventeen years ago. I would have avoided so many painful mistakes."--Chris Seay, author of A Place at the Table; pastor of Ecclesia, Houston, TX


Shawn Lovejoy is the founding and lead pastor of Mountain Lake Church and directional leader of Churchplanters.com, a coaching and resource ministry for church planters. Shawn, his wife Tricia, and their three kids live near Atlanta, Georgia.

About the Author

Shawn Lovejoy is the founding and lead pastor of Mountain Lake Church, the directional leader of churchplanters.com, and the author of The Measure of Our Success. God has used Mountain Lake Church and churchplanters.com to become one of the most influential church planting ministries in the world, and Shawn gives Jesus all the credit. Shawn loves his wife, his kids, the church, pastors, college football, and PlayStation3. In that order. He lives near Atlanta, Georgia.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Baker Books (May 1, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801014603
• ISBN-13: 978-0801014604
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #595,125 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Breaking through a different kind of barrier May 10, 2012

By owlyapple

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Thank you Shawn LoveJoy for speaking the truth and humbly sharing your own experience. My heart breaks for the burden that many Pastors carry that does not belong on their shoulders. I think The Measure of Our Success is a survival guide to ministry in our present culture of over achieving and over functioning Pastors.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the Book you have been waiting for. May 7, 2012

By Michael W. Henderson

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

It doesn't matter what the subject is, people are looking for the silver bullet. Everyone wants to be better and get better at something. When it comes to ministry there is not a silver bullet. However, if you are looking for ONE book that could radically change your ministry this may be it. If you are in ministry you have your own mental scorecard as to how you evaluate how you are doing personally and professionally. This book will change your thinking, clarify what ministry is all about, and at the same time help restore your emotional health. This book is not about how to launch large, how to baptize more people, how to attract a crowd, or how to increase your offerings. Or maybe it is! Perhaps we have been looking for the answers in the wrong place. Perhaps our idea of ministry has been askew. Perhaps our idea of success has just about destroyed us. Rather that highlight thoughts from the book because yours will be different than mine, let me suggest that it is to your own peril that you delay in reading this book. Read it through once, and then go through it again with more reflection. My prediction: It will easily be in the top 5 books you read this year!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars It's Time to Recalibrate! May 2, 2012

By wes bell

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

What a timely read! "The Measure of Our Success" has challenged me to take a closer look at the metrics I use to gauge success, along with a heartfelt challenge to take the time to nurture the areas of life that matter most.

If you are Pastor or a leader in the church this book needs to get bumped to the top of your reading list. Thanks Shawn for taking the time to inspire and challenge us through your writing! I will be picking up copies for all of our leaders.