What is success in ministry? How can it be measured?

This is a difficult question, as several important principles collide here.

1. How to measure the supernatural? The fruit of spiritual ministry is not always quantifiable.
2. Success is faithfulness. One of the main criteria for success should be the question: is this person faithfully preaching the Word of God and is his life consistent with that Word?
3. Not just attendance. The number of people in a church is not the only indicator. It is important to see how much church members are growing in holiness, how many leaders are being raised, how many people are going on missions, etc. Such indicators are much deeper and more comprehensive—and often a better indicator of faithfulness and success of ministry.
4. Success is not always visible. Faithful and «successful» ministry may not have obvious or immediate results. Adoniram Judson did not see a single convert during the first seven years of his ministry. Furthermore, initial reactions can be deceptive over time (Matt. 13:1–23).
5. But visible fruit is also important. God gives different gifts to different people. It is possible that someone is working faithfully in an area for which they are not particularly gifted. In this case, there will be little visible fruit - and this must be taken into account when assessing the long-term vision and the feasibility of financial support for such a ministry. Not every Christian should expect the church to allocate part of the finances for his full support. Visible fruit is part of this assessment.
6. What is the point? Success in ministry means, first and foremost, faithfulness. But a humble and careful evaluation of the fruits must also play a supporting role in determining pastoral success.