Not everyone really understands what it means to pursue excellence. Some believe that excellence has something to do with how much money is being spent or how great a facility looks or even how many people are impacted. None of these measurements are adequate for excellence. A common definition of excellence that may work is “The state, quality, or condition of excelling; superiority”.
I’ve been fortunate to work with some great leaders and in some great organizations. These have included some for profit, non-profit and churches and all have had the desire to excel. Many similar organizations around the country have embraced a passion for excellence as one of their core values, one of their uniquely identifiable characteristics.They too have a desire to excel.
The problem with “excellence” is that it’s often difficult to define or quantify. For example, an excellent children’s ministry will include some elements that most people will agree are necessary in order to be considered excellent. However, many other elements become pretty subjective. One person’s opinion on style, curriculum, facility set-up, signage, branding, or hospitality may differ greatly from another’s. It’s all really subjective. It’s kind of like modern art: one persons completed masterpiece may be too gosh, gaudy or glitzy for another.
These subjective measurements are the wrong ways to look at excellence. Excellence is something that is to be a personal pursuit. Organizations, like churches, can only pursue excellence when individuals are fully committed to the worthy pursuit of excellence as well.
In 1 Corinthians 10:31, the Apostle Paul encourages us, “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (NKJ). We work, we minister and we pursue excellence because we are glorifying God as we excel in our individual ministries. Similarly, in Colossians 3:23 Paul says, “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord.” (NKJ)
We can excel, we can do all for the glory of God, we can work as unto the Lord regardless of the quantity or quality of the resources we have been given. It’s excelling in the use of all of the resources that we have been given that brings excellence in our individual and collective ministry. One church or organization may have a lot more resources, but excellence is never about quantity but about quality.
For some, excellence becomes a matter of dollars and cents. Its one of the few objective measurements we use but it becomes a poor barometer of whether what we are doing is actually bringing glory to the Lord.
Using dollars invested in ministry is an unfortunate measurement of excellence on a number of levels. First, while excellence is a great objective, throwing money at a ministry doesn’t necessarily ensure quality of content, program or result. In addition, ministry is ultimately about people and people value true relationships and personal care more than fancy programs, impressive buildings or over-the-top presentations.
While I’ve encouraged ministries to embrace excellence and use all of their available resources for the glory of God. As an antidote to thinking of excellence as something measured by money, I’ve asked ministries to re-embrace the values of stewardship, entrepreneurship and integrity. There is something to be said and very fulfilling about leveraging very limited resources for great Kingdom impact.
