Pastor's Blog: The Church at Business
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I have always heard people say that the best way to run a church is to run it like a business. Let me be clear when I say that managing a church like a business is the absolute worst way to see to ministry tasks. While there are parallels between the principles that make for efficient ministry practices and those of business enterprises, the dynamics of ministry are vastly different. For example, churches are primarily in business to make disciples, not a profit.
Be that as it may, there are times when the church needs to come together to address business matters. We may not be aiming for a profit, but finishing the year “in the black” enables us to fulfill our ministry goals and objectives. Moreover, we employ individuals to assist us “in equipping the saints for the work of ministry” (Ephesians 4:12), and we contemplate structures that will sustain the level of effectiveness that we desire and God demands.
All of these considerations will come before the church at our Semi-Annual Church Conference, which will take place this Wednesday, July 18, at 6 p.m. in Heritage Hall. Since our church meets for such a conference only two times a year (the other time being the third Wednesday in January), the participation of our members at these gatherings is essential.
At this upcoming meeting, we’ll hear from the Finance Committee, who will bring a most encouraging report on the faithful stewardship of our membership. We’ll hear as well from our Personnel Committee, who has led out in the hire of several new staff members over the last six months. The newly appointed Building Committee will bring an update on where we stand in addressing the recommendations of the Space and Facilities Needs Assessment Committee, which reported to the church at the last conference in January, and how our church will be able to weigh in on their deliberations. Lastly, our Missions Committee will share with us an inspiring word on the three primary missional outreach trips that took place last month. As you can see, our church has been quite active, and this meeting will take on the tone of a celebration.
So, join us this Wednesday, as we hear how the Spirit has been at work among us and where we sense God directing us in the coming days. Our church is in a good place. Now is a time to show up to praise God for whom all blessings indeed flow.
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9).