Resources and Comments in Response to “Congregational Management: A Holy Calling”
In the May 24, 2010 Alban Weekly (“Congregational Management: A Holy Calling“), John Wimberly makes some significant points about the value and importance of sound management in congregations. Managers need to think systemically, valuing each part of the system and keeping all parts properly aligned as well as running smoothly. They need to limit risks as they focus on implementing strategic plans, coordinating people, and offering short-term steps to attaining long-term objectives. Most of all, says Wimberly, managers need to remember that they are following a “holy calling. Good managers help God and God’s people do God’s work.”
What resources might empower managers to realize and act upon their holy callings? Some excellent items are listed at the end of the article. But you might also check out the resources in the “Administration” section of the Congregational Resource Guide. You might find Faith-Based Management and Getting Things Done especially helpful.
What are your experiences and thoughts regarding this topic? And what resources do you suggest? We look forward to hearing from you!
This was a great article. I wonderful integration of systems theory with the biblical metaphor of the “body of Christ”. Thanks for posting it.
Amen to John Wimberly’s fine exploration of management. That organic image of the body is a perfect one to keep in mind while trying to keep things going in constructive ways and improve them over time. Paul uses the metaphor of the body several times in his letters to young churches. I particularly enjoy enjoy the I Cor. 12 section in which feet and ears speak and assert their importance! Truly everyone in congregational leadership has responsibility for the things Wimberly explores– not just the pastor or a few staff people.
Hello, A helpful article that moves our understanding of congregational management toward a calling/profession. I agree but must note that there are managers and then their are managers. Professionalizing the role does not necessarily produce skilled managers.
One missing ingrediant in the article is how good managers effectively manage. I did not notice mention of the underlying reasons people become involved in church/parish life. We must be skillful enough to recognize that people have a variety of reasons to be involved in church life either as pros or as volunteers and rarely out of a pure sense of “mission.” These “needs” are there in each of us and skillful managers will ferret them out and effectively respond to them in customized, individual ways.
(The Rev.) David Hyatt
Many pastors might say, ” please speak in English.” Your points are logical to those who had training in management but not to most pastors. How would you translate your principles into simple practical administrative processes?
The article reminds all that parish administration is a calling and that we need to offer more training and resources to equip those serving in this role (clergy, lay workers, & volunteers).
In my opinion some practical tools and practices would include:
+ Make the most of your church management system (ACS, Logos, Shelby, etc.) These systems are designed to help maintain order and awareness of the systems. Focus on “stewardship” and talk openly about “congregational engagement”. Benchmark and track participation in discipleship classes, ministry, sacramental thresholds, worship, and events.
+ Create a hospitable church culture and a welcoming posture throughout your team. The posture invites dialog and reduces debate; the warm hospitable culture makes room for possibilities, the co-creation of a preferred future. This will increase your Relational/Incarnational ministry.
+ Clarify your shared vision and outcomes. It’s hard to manage the unknown and lead others to a unknown preferred future.
+ Listen more and Encourage others to pursue their calling. Become interdependently dependent upon Christ rather than seek to control all things. Consider together how to welcome and encourage every individual to exercise their gifts and callings and consider the hopes of larger Church (congregation, local community, global) and the world around us.
+ Foster a learning community. Following love, discipleship is the principal command of Christ. Clarify the skills & responsibilities through dialog with those leading the ministries throughout the church. Learn more in this presentation: http://voicethread.com/#u762584.b942331.i5021853
Two influential books I’ve read about this topic:
1) Community, By Peter Block (http://astore.amazon.com/wwwwo.....1605092770)
2) The Fifth Discipline, Peter Senge and Assoc (http://astore.amazon.com/wwwwo.....0385472560)
Perhaps we’d learn more from our successes if we found the question “What went right?” as urgent as the question, “What went wrong?”.
This was a good article, but using the word “management” seems to “worldly.” I prefer “stewardship.” While serving as a General Presbyter, I have built my personal understanding of my role on the biblical model of the steward.
In Old Testament Hebrew the function is known as ha-ish asher al (Genesis 43:19), or asher al bayith (Genesis 44:4). In New Testament Greek the household steward is known as oikonomos (Luke 12:42, 16:1 ff., I Corinthians 4:1-2., Ephesians 3:2). In both the Old and New Testaments, the household steward was responsible for the administration of the household, overseeing the use and distribution of the owner=s resources and the faithful operation of the household. The household steward was responsible for conducting the affairs of the household according to the will of the householder. It was the responsibility of the household steward to insure the right people were doing the right tasks at the right time and had the right resources for their tasks in a timely manner. The well being of the members of the household was a primary responsibility of the “oikonomos.” In the New Testament one of the identities of the church is the “oikos theou,” household of God (Ephesians 2:19, I Timothy 3:15, I Peter 4:17). The overseer, “episkopos” (Titus 1:7), of a portion of the church is called, “theou oikonomon,” steward of God (Titus 1:7). The “oikonomos” was not to “lord it over others” (Matthew 20:25), but to serve as “primus inter pares,” first among equals. In the New Testament the function of administration is referred to as “diakonia” (I Cor. 12.5, II Cor. 9.12) . Administration is first and foremost a
responsibility to serve. It is indeed a holy calling.