I've been asking myself lately what failure would look like for me.

  Not
mistakes.  Not mess-ups.  I'm talking about utter, unquestionable
failure.  Because if I don't actually know what failure would be for me,
then it will be most difficult to avoid it.  Here are 10 ways to fail.

1.  Build a great ministry while destroying a great marriage.

2.  Compromise my convictions in a moment of fatigue or weakness, and

lose my family, my reputation, and my anointing.

3.  See thousands of strangers believe the gospel when I preach yet
watch my own children reject the gospel when they grow up.

4.  Preach on being spiritually healthy and vibrant while neglecting my

own health for the sake of the ministry.

5.  Be super-productive in my daily work while never working on my

own personal relationship with Jesus.

6.  Spend all my money and resources on my wants while neglecting the
needs of my brothers and sisters when it is in my power to help them.

7.  Be efficient at training and teaching others in how to do ministry but

lack effectiveness in preparing my children to live for Christ as His
disciples.

8.  Miss opportunities to bless, honor, and support other pastors and
leaders because I am waiting on them to bless, honor, and notice me.

9.  Never have fun because I was too serious about my calling, my
preaching, my writing, or my ministry responsibilities.

10.  Grow old without the deep, abiding love and friendships that I
would miss if I never took the time to invest in people, beginning with
my wife.  

What would you add to the list?