Periodically
I hear the comment that churches or mission organizations are run too much like
a business. I have never been quite clear as to why that is intrinsically a bad
thing. It could be argued that if some businesses were operated with the same lack
of strategic and fiscal diligence we give to churches, those businesses would
have been out of business a long time ago.
Policy
Governance® describes the Ends
of an organization as being what (the benefit), for whom (the beneficiaries),
and at what cost (cost/value). Charities can do significant work in defining
the benefit and the focus of those benefits, but with little or no
consideration for the cost/value of those benefits.
Jesus used
two different parables (Matthew 25 and Luke 19) to describe the importance of
an effective return on investments. (You can look up the parables to see at
least 10 differences). But the common theme in these parables is the anger of
the master when he finds out that those to whom he has entrusted his resources
did not invest them with passion and diligence. The stewards of these resources
did nothing wrong: they did not squander the investment nor did they fail to
take good care of the investment. Their sin
was a failure to use what was entrusted to them in seeking to advance the
kingdom of their master.
One of my
desires in consulting with mission organizations, Christian schools, Bible
camps, and churches is to assist them in the effective use of their resources by
not becoming bogged down in the process of governance. Undue amounts of time can
be wasted at board meetings and the governance process often fails to provide
direction, but rather becomes a distraction. I recently attended the meeting of
the board on which I serve where heavy issues were discussed with clarity and
focus; with the board being very clear regarding its mandate. It was
encouraging to serve with other women and men who were clear about their
responsibilities and not distracted by the responsibilities of management.
In my next
blog, we will look at some of the differences in the two parables which Jesus
told. In the meantime consider how your investment of time, giftedness, energy
and resources is being used; with a view toward personal safety or eternal
returns?
