Every minister, ministry, team, church, and pastor may define success differently. Instead of each group setting its own criteria, the church should unite around the core scriptural priorities of loving God and loving others, as demonstrated through discipleship and evangelism. A practical framework to consider is the 75-25 rule, which posits that 75% of leadership qualities are universal while 25% depend on context. Many thriving churches have defined what that universal 75% looks like for them and then focused on developing leaders who embody those qualities.

When assembling staff teams—whether they're paid or volunteer—it’s important to ensure that the entire church understands and supports the leadership structure in place. For example, when everyone knows that a staff member’s main focus is evangelism and discipleship, the congregation is more likely to recognize and endorse the efforts made to achieve that goal. Similarly, when the purpose and goals of ministry teams are clearly communicated, the body of Christ becomes better equipped to serve and minister, mirroring the commitment expected of the staff.