Christ sent me not to baptize...

[Esaias]

I always took that to mean his priority was to preach the gospel, leaving conversions up to God.

But we hear about Preacher So-and-so, how many thousands have converted under their preaching. If conversion is truly up to God, and a preacher's job is simply to preach the word, then why do we often act as if any preacher's success (or lack thereof) has anything at all to do with the preacher?

We study to be more "effective" at soul winning. We try to learn "what works and what doesn't". We admire successful preachers and say "They were/are powerful preachers who secured results", and we study their methods and lifestyle to glean tips and pointers. We say and believe "You need to be closely consecrated to God, fast and pray, to win souls."

Are we missing something here?

If conversion is up to God, and we are sent to preach, not convert, then how can there possibly be anything we do that affects conversion, other than just putting the word out to people?