A lot of organizations spend a lot of time on purpose, mission, or vision statements. They even spend a lot of time arguing over the difference between them. This goes for churches just as much as businesses and other non-profits.
The interesting thing is how remarkably similar they all end up being. In fact, I would guess that most of these statements have origins in other entities and have been copied. The thing is, these statements tend to be completely out of the realm of possibility for these entities. So I thought I should give some suggestions for statements that may not sound very good but would really help out the organizations if they actually succeeded in fulfilling the statement.
"Trying to not be a bunch of jerks."
"Striving to care."
"Recognizing the world doesn't revolve around us."
"To your face, not behind your back."
"Still pompous, just not as much."
"Promising to never put another stupid saying on our sign."
This could take forever. Any others you want to get off your chest?
Statements
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11:36 AM
You can tell I have a thing about committees. I am actually thinking of writing a blog post on it, trying to imagine how to "run a church" without everything being done by committees. I am a big believer that "design by committee" is not effective. How can we re-envision the nuts and bolts necessary to keep a church going and not have it all be done by committee?
12:59 PM
I agree that it would be beneficial because it also forces several other issues to be resolved for the better. Like how you deal with failure when you can't blame it on a committee. Failure needs to be turned into learning experiences. If you don't develop that in your culture people will be afraid to operate outside of a committee structure. Things like communication change too.
1:55 PM
Here's a question - what if churches ran as an incubation center? Now, we have these committees that no one wants to serve on but that continue to exist because, well, because that committee has always existed, and we're a church and churches have to have that kind of committee.
But what if instead the church fostered an atmosphere where people who were truly excited about something just self-formed, presented their "business plan" or "project plan," and then the church gave them either some budget or the space to do the event or project or whatever? I would call this the "entrepreneurial" model, with committees being replaced by "start ups." Some would argue there may not be any continuity, but I'd posit a lot of things don't NEED continuity. Sometimes a really fervent project for a month or a year may be just the thing, and then you can do something else. Keep it vibrant, not locked down by structure. If the person that cares deeply about something makes it happen and then moves on to something else, if no one else cares that deeply, then it can just be shelved.
Some of this thinking is being influenced by some business reading I am doing right now while I try and figure out how to help inject a spirit of entrepreneurialism at work, in a company that's fairly old fashioned.
Now, I know that the building doesn't run and maintain itself, and the budget doesn't just happen. But I am not so sure there needs to be a standing "human care" committee, or blasphemy!, even a standing youth group committee. Maybe you let the youth organize themselves with just a bit of guidance and chaperoning.
I dunno - it sounds idealistic. But I want to be PASSIONATE about church, and committees and such don't excite that feeling in me.
6:47 AM
"Trying to keep the peace at home (so I can get ____ off my back)."
"A great place to make business contacts."
7:15 AM
Especially like that last one. If you could work "networking" into it you'd have the winner.
Jim,
I understand your frustration with committees. I was looking at some records and in the early '70's and with 125 in average attendance they had over 25 different committees. Now we have a Governing Board of 5 people that look at big picture stuff and a volunteer staff of 5 that meets once a month to take care of day to day stuff.
We have tried to encourage people to "go for it" when it comes living out their passion. We were even intentional about using as few people as possible for inside church stuff so that most people could focus on outward focused ministry.
What happened was it hurt our sense of community. We drifted apart and ended up drifting. That would be fine if a lot of ministry was taking place but it wasn't. I know think that strong outward ministry focus comes out of a foundation of strong community. That doesn't mean we go back to a lot of committees but I think we have to consider that there was a lot of informal togetherness going on when those committees met that we have to recapture.
7:40 AM
9:41 AM
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