Ministry life is full of ups and downs. We flow from one season to the next. Sometimes we feel highly productive, while at other times we feel like we have plateaued. When it’s not going well, we face challenges and need to answer some tough questions. But when it is going well, we also have some questions to answer.

If I were to ask you to describe ministry that is going well, what would you say? What picture do you have in mind of a successful church, a growing student ministry or a productive discipleship pathway? For many, I’m sure it’s measured numerically. We might pick a number and track it week over week, month to month, or from last year to this year.

But success is not always about numbers. It’s the product of a commitment to excellence. It’s staff members showing up engaged and involved. It may be having all your key volunteer posts filled. But it should always include evidence of life change in your church.

This week, I want to focus on three questions we need to ask when ministry goes well. Next week, we’ll look at the opposite — when it doesn’t go so well. But keep that picture of success in mind as you think through these questions, and then apply them to your situation.

You’re likely to be hitting a high point in ministry soon. If that’s the case, answering these questions can be crucial to maintaining that momentum.

1. How Will We Scale It?

To sustain momentum and keep our ministries running well, we have to scale. That means we are prepared for the growth we anticipate. We make decisions in relation to where we see our church headed. If this high point of ministry we’re currently seeing becomes the status quo in the next season, are we ready to steward it?

The first thing you need to evaluate are your systems. If you have no system in place for identifying and following up with first-time guests, for instance, this is the time to start. Your ministry’s effectiveness will rise and fall on your ability to create systems that are simple to follow but extensive in reach.

But systems are not the end of it. Ministry is about people. Are they being taken care of? As your attendance grows, are people falling through the gaps? Is your discipleship pathway clear? Do new believers know their next steps and how to take them? Scaling means you are ready to receive the increase God has in store.

Finally, scaling also means your vision grows with you. Is your vision visible to others? Keep it in front of your people continually as you navigate into the next season.

No matter what season of ministry you’re in, God is at work behind the scenes.

2. How Will We Avoid Burnout?

When we hit a level of success in ministry, the temptation is to put the pedal down and keeping going. While it’s important to maintain a strong work ethic, if we continue to run at top speed we will eventually burn out. I’ve seen too many ministers fall into depression or sin because they failed to read the warning signs of burnout.

Two things are critical for avoiding burnout. First, we need to understand the seasons of ministry. There are times when the work is hard and the hours are long. But there are down times as well, when we get a natural break from our schedule. It’s not about avoiding hard work; it’s about keeping a sustainable pace.

There’s a difference between sprinters and long-distance runners. In ministry, we must be masters of both. There are times when we need to go all out, but then we enter a season of jogging. Both are important in their own way.

The other thing you need to avoid burnout is a team mentality. You’re not meant to do this alone. God never called you to be a lone wolf. He has surrounded you with a capable and competent team to achieve a purpose together. Lean into the support of those around you when you feel the pressure rising.

3. How Will We Avoid Taking the Credit?

When ministry is going well, it’s easy to think you’ve done this on your own. From your point of view, you have achieved something. You have a front-row seat for the effort you put in personally.

You know the long hours you’ve put in, the arduous study you’ve committed to, the difficult decisions you’ve made, and the high energy you’ve exerted. Why shouldn’t you take the credit?

The reason rests in our own sinful nature. The quickest way to create an overinflated ego is to take credit when things go well and deflect blame when they don’t. But great leaders are quick to share the credit and help shoulder the blame. Ego can be a monster in our ministry that, if not kept in check, will run wild in all areas of our life.

The apostle Paul knew firsthand how destructive ego can be. He challenged the church in Corinth to set aside personal pride and see things through a different lens. He acknowledged his part in the successful church launch there but gave credit to those who came after and continued the work.

In 1 Corinthians 3:6, Paul said, “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it … .” But the key is the next part of the sentence: “but God has been making it grow.” Taking credit for Kingdom building means stealing it from God.

No matter what season of ministry you’re in, God is at work behind the scenes. When things go well, our first response should be giving God thanks. When we put Him first, He will sustain us through both good and bad times. But when we take the center stage for ourselves, our achievements can lead to our downfall.

Keeping a humble attitude is crucial when things are going great. And focusing on God throughout makes that possible.