When we started Elevation, it was impossible for people to be attracted to our success, because it was non-existent.
It was impossible for staff members to be attracted to the benefits, because there were none.

I’ll liken this to the golden days of yore, when Holly and I were dating.
Was she attracted to me for my money? (I was a traveling preacher who got paid in slices of pizza, and if I was lucky, a check to cover gas)
Was she attracted to me because of my social status? (I’m not exactly an aristocrat)

No, she was attracted to me based on a vision. A vision of what our life would be like together. A vision of the kind of husband, father, and man of God I was becoming. A vision of how I would love her and take care of her.
So now that I’m a little more successful, and a little bit more financially stable, I have confidence in her commitment. She won’t be out the door if money gets tight. She’s not in it for the notoriety of being the pastor’s wife of a cool church. She was in it when I was speaking to groups of 20 kids in towns you’ve never heard of. She was on the front row taking notes then just like she is now. And because of that, I’m confident that she’s front row in my life to stay.

Now that Elevation has achieved a certain measure of “success”, it’s comforting to know that most of our staff members were staff members before they were even getting paid. They were attracted to the vision long before they saw the success. That means that if we have a losing season at some point, they won’t quit the team or stop playing hard. They’re not in it because we’re the hip church in town. They’re in it because God gripped their hearts for our mission and He won’t let go. They can’t be lured away by bigger and better offers. They’d do this for free if they could.
(Don’t worry guys, it’s hypothetical.)

I believe the same goes for the overwhelming majority of our volunteers, small group leaders, and giving leaders.
I hope I can lead in such a way that people will always be attracted to our vision instead of our success, no matter how tangible and front and center success might be.
Success is an elusive target.
Vision is fixed forever.