Welcome to the Paul Tripp podcast, where pastor and best-selling author Dr. Paul David Tripp

connects the transforming power of Jesus Christ to everyday life. In today's episode, we'll listen to

Paul give the first six principles from his new book on pastoral leadership, lead, 12 gospel

principles for leadership in the church.

The first principle says this. A ministry community whose time is controlled by doing the

business of the church tends to be spiritually unhealthy. Principle one, achievement.

God given us the ability to achieve things for the gospel is a beautiful thing.

But achievement can be a dangerous thing.

Achievement is dangerous when it becomes our definition of a qualified leader.

Achievement is dangerous when it makes us afraid to admit failure. Achievement's dangerous when it silences members of the leadership team.

Achievement is dangerous when it becomes our definition of success.

Look, if you have served God well,

if you've been a tender, gentle, servant, leader, if you've

loved God above all else, and you've loved your people as God has called you to love them,

and you don't get huge fruit, read my lips, you're not a failure.

That's ministry success.

But if you have an achievement culture, you look at that guy and you say something's wrong

with that guy.

And so achievement tends to push forward, brash, loud, strong personality, hard-driving people.

And that's just not the definition of a leader in Scripture.

I think of Jesus who looked at the multitude and wept,

saying they were distressed and scattered sheep without a shepherd.

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