Different churches need different types of organizational systems. I think most of us would agree to that. For example, a local church without elders for qualification reasons is no less of a church than the large church with dozens of elders. However, different organization systems are required for each one. One area of organization that…
Monthly Archives: June 2010
Clarification?
I’ve wondered if anyone is actually reading these posts because of the lack of comments, but I’ve received some feedback outside of the blog… in real life… that makes me think that isn’t the case. Please feel free to leave comments and join in the discussion. Even if you disagree or are afraid you don’t…
The Makings of a Good System
There are nearly infinite versions of organizational systems that can be found to frame churches around. Some are traditional/pragmatic, such as having elders make decisions or using ‘men’s business meetings’. Some are progressive/research based and are introduced after serious study of culture and organization. Some are simply marketing tools generated to sell books or capitalize…
Origen's Thoughts on Holiness
Moved by Origen’s thoughts on holiness this morning. Origen lived from 185 a.d. to around 254 a.d. Origen was the first second-generation leader among the early church fathers. His father was martyred around 203 a.d. Origen spent most of his time as the headmaster of a school for Christian converts in Alexandria, North Africa. “There…
Who Goes To Heaven?
Wife and I went to a wedding at a beautiful church a couple weekends ago. I have a habit of reading other church’s literature, and when I find something really good I’ll borrow it and integrate it into what we’re using. At this church, however, I found some very curious items in their material, particularly…
Jethro II
As a response to the development of Theory Y and the increased focus on individuals within society, Jethro II emerged as a new take on an organizational system designed by Moses’ father-in-law thousands of years ago. The difference was significant: The most important part of the system is the individual. Now, it is easy to…
Theory X and Theory Y
Some of you may have guessed that the failure with Jethro I was that it didn’t take into account the needs and value of the individual. Sure, Jethro’s original advice to Moses mentioned not wearing people out, but the focus of the system is on the benefits it provides to management/leaders and on getting the…
Jethro I
Several years ago, as I was just getting into ministry, I became enamored with the idea of small groups. Initially because it was different than traditional (that’s been a theme with me), then because I was hired to manage small groups for a church. I’ll work small groups in later in our organization discussion but…
The Right Way To Do Church
Before I really get started on some church organization stuff, I want to clarify my position on what is the right way to “do church”. If we’re honest, what we do as churches today is mostly created by us. We like to claim that we use a biblical approach or that we do things the…
The Case for the System
I’m a very systems and process oriented person. So much so that I sometimes have difficulty focusing on the smaller details of things. I care less about the details and more about how the details connect and where the details are going. Any one detail by itself is powerless, but when coupled with other details…
