Leaders get out in front and stay there by raising the standards by which they judge themselves—and by which they are willing to be judged.

Not long ago, I met with twenty-three pastors who by almost any standard would be considered successful. They were men of God. They had either built large churches from small beginnings or had taken over growing churches and continued the growth. They were men of good spirit, dedication, and humility, and as I sat there listening, I noticed they were quick to give God the glory. Too quick, it seemed to me. I had to chide them.

"I'm a little tired of hearing you talk about God's blessing," I said. "If I took you twenty-three men and put you in twenty-three different towns, chances are the same thing would happen all over again."

Why? Because they know how to build churches, they're motivated to do it, and they know how to get people to follow them.

Does that sound unspiritual? I'm not discounting the power of God in the success of a ministry, but neither ...