Ours is a success-oriented society. We reward the successful whether they be businessmen, executives, pastors, athletes, teachers, students, politicians, dairymen, or parents. Of course, how the Christian measures success is not at all the same way as the world measures success. The world says success is an extra nest, an additional hole, more nuts, an investment of bones. Without them, says the world, our life has counted for nothing.
Today is the last day in church office for four of our men.
Today is the first day in church office for another five of our men. Actually, I am asking the wrong question here. You know, of course, that God does not measure success by profit, by prosperity, or by prestige. God measures success by faithfulness. I hope none of you who were installed this morning ever has the experience with this congregation that Paul had with the congregation of Corinth.