Excellence is a difficult thing to define. Even the dictionary struggles. Webster’s tries to nail down the meaning of excellence this way: “…the quality of being excellent.” That doesn’t help a lot. Yet most of us know what excellence is when we see it.

I just returned from Ukraine where Kyle Gilbert and I were part of a media conference organized by our friends at Novomedia. One of the sessions I led was on the topic of excellence. A well-known American football coach, Vince Lombardi, expressed great wisdom with his thoughts on the topic.

“Perfection is not attainable. But if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence.”

As leaders in ministries and Christian organizations, it often falls to us to push the team to do their best in order to achieve the most. I often think of the title of the book of devotionals by Oswald Chambers. My Utmost for His Highest. What a great phrase to capture what we should be about in our ministry, our work, our families, and our lives.

Here are four keys to excellence:

  • Consistency – Aristotle, the Greek philosopher, said “Excellence is not an act, it’s a habit.” Strive consistently for excellence and soon you will be developing a habit of great accomplishments.
  • Improvement – we need a heart to constantly get better. A successful college baseball coach asks his players to get one percent better every day. That’s a good start towards excellence.
  • Creativity – Our Lord is a creative God, and we are made in His likeness. We have creativity within us. No doubt it is seen better in some than others, but we all have the ability to break new ground and find innovative ways to solve problems.
  • Going the extra mile – Someone has said that responsible people do what is expected of them. Excellent people routinely do more than asked.

Ryan Denison of the Denison Forum recently wrote on excellence. “There is something about the pursuit of excellence that is easy for people to notice and appreciate, regardless of the context in which it occurs. Perhaps it is easier to recognize when it comes to music, athletics, or other more public displays, but the principle applies to our work, our relationships, and our personal pursuits as well.” He goes on to look at the life of Daniel in the Old Testament as an example. He lived a life of excellence that was quickly noted by Nebuchadnezzar.

The Apostle Paul reminded the believers in Colossae that our best efforts…our excellence…is in service to our Savior.

Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.

Colossians 3:23 NLT

Along with the obvious reason for pursuing excellence in our Christian life, there are other benefits. Again, the great football coach Vince Lombardi made a profound statement worth pondering and retaining in our minds.

“The quality of a person’s life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor.”

God is honored when we serve Him with excellence. Other lives are impacted by the effort we exhibit toward excellence in ministry. And the quality of our own lives is enhanced by our commitment to excellence.

It sounds like we all gain from a life of excellence. And the Lord is honored. Oswald Chambers sums it up this way:

“Worship is giving God the best He has given to you. Be careful what you do with your best.”