There’s a regular conference for people in ministry, called, “The Epic Fail Conference.”

The Epic Fail Conference began as a rejection of the typical pastors’ conference, where megachurch pastors tell their success stories, and market their books and videos.  After attending one such meeting, a pastor – who’d faced his share of ministry failures — posted on Facebook,  “You know, I’d like to attend a pastors’ conference on failure!”

Within hours of posting that comment, he received hundreds of “likes,” emails and phone calls, saying, “Organize it and I will attend.”  And, thus, was born “The Epic Fail Pastors’ Conference.”

Church ministry is full of failure — but not just ministry!  Our secular work, family life, community service and national government face moments of epic fails.

This week we begin a seven-week sermon series, “The Seven Deadly Fears”; our first topic will be “Fear of Failure.”   Jesus offers profound wisdom and power in facing our fear of failure.

His answer? Jesus promises us success in this Sunday’s scripture lesson!  Ah. . .but what kind of success?

Ponder our sermon scripture, Matthew 25: 14 – 30, and join me for the first of our Seven Deadly Fears.