Way back in the day (and I recognize that my day goes pretty far back), there was a song sung by Dr. Hook that had a refrain that ended But the thrill we’ve never known is the thrill that’ll getcha when you get your picture on the cover of the Rollin’ Stone.
That was the mark of success at that moment – the cover of the Rolling Stone. The cover the year-ending edition of Time Magazine also has designated notoriety on their annual Person of the Year. That person, this time around, was our person – Pope Francis.
Another magazine, Forbes, has also taken note of the Holy Father. Forbes is a magazine regarding business news and financial information. Why are they paying attention to our new Pope? They claim that he is helping society to redefine success. How?
> He is making it easier for ambitious people to value simplicity.
> He is changing how we distinguish between “important” people and “unimportant” people
> He is reminding us that power and position are a means for displaying virtue and character.
> He is modeling a civil approach to some of our worst hot-button topics
The whole article is worth a good look. Meanwhile, Esquire magazine named Pope Francis the Best-Dressed Man of the Year as well noting The humility of his garments offers a way to visibly display his theological and material concerns for the poor. This Holy Roman emperor really does have new clothes.
Take a moment and consider how you are redefining success in your own ministry. Drop a comment and let’s engage in a conversation regarding this.
*LIKE*
So often we can get caught up in practical details and miss the heart; I think Pope Francis constantly calls us back to the heart of ministry.
We’ve changed our format tone about Small Fairh Communities. It’s become less about the numbers and more about the quality of discussion going on and how we help the teens in their journey with Christ.
When Pope Francis named new cardinals over the week, he redefined “success” for them as well in a letter to them:
“The cardinalship does not imply promotion; it is neither an honor nor a decoration; it is simply a service that requires you to broaden your gaze and open your hearts. And, although this may appear paradoxical, the ability to look further and to love more universally with greater intensity may be acquired only by following the same path of the Lord: the path of self-effacement and humility, taking on the role of a servant. Therefore I ask you, please, to receive this designation with a simple and humble heart. And, while you must do so with pleasure and joy, ensure that this sentiment is far from any expression of worldliness or from any form of celebration contrary to the evangelical spirit of austerity, sobriety and poverty.