Jesus, CEO: America's most successful churches are modelling themselves on businesses, is an article I missed last week at the Economist. I thought it was interesting to read it from a business perspective instead of a religious one. The writer has some great concepts like "pastorpreneurs" and CTOs (Chief Theological Officers). Of course, one position that requires no recruiting is "controller." Every church I have been in has multiple redundancies in that position.
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10 responses to “Jesus, CEO”
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“Of course, one position that requires no recruiting is “controller.” Every church I have been in has mulitple redundancies in that position.”
Ain’t it the truth . . . -
Grin … don’t ya just love the Gatekeepers and controllers in the church! The reality is that behind their dyspepsia is a genuine love and concern for their church. Their methods may be counterproductive, but I rarely find that their issues are not relevant. The opposite of optimism isn’t pessimism, but indifference. The pessimist believe in something, we just have to figure out what it is.
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“There is no shortage of people willing to serve God — in an advisory capacity”
I wish I know who said that, so I could give proper credit. -
Right on about indiffernce. Sometimes those controllers may be hopelessly dysfunctional but many just need to see a new vision. I think Jesus may have had to deal with a few. Peter? James and John? He also lost one named Judas.
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Thanks for highlighting this article. I would never have seen it otherwise 🙂
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Great article! I’m afraid the fad with corporatised churches has grown far beyond North America… I see it beginning to happen where I am too.
Have a blessed new year, Mike! -
Your welcome John. I just happened on it while looking for stories about GDP growth at the site. Go figure.
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Hi Sherman. Good to hear from you!
I think there are lessons that can be learned from business and the corporate world that apply well in the church but this only works when we keep Christ’s vision and mission of making disciples. I fear too much of the emphasis in these mega-churches is about keeping customers and not making communities of disciples. Customers shop. Disciples lay down their lives.
On the other hand, too many small churches tend to become insular “families” that exist for their own pleasure instead of making disciples. So I don’t think it is just a size thing.
Some how we have to re-discover discipling communities and create the structures that will nurture them. That is a tall order in America with our radical individualism. American Church institutions are in critical condition and need an infusion of vision from our brothers and sisters elsewhere in the world.
Happy new year back at ya! You will get there before I will. -
It is indeed a big challenge to be followers of Christ who are relevantly distinct from the world, and who embody the establishment of the awaited Kingdom.
I know I’m rather quiet, but I’m following your blog everyday, Mike! Well, almost. Haha. -
Mike, this is quite an article. Amazing really in its depth, insight, and objectivity. I’ll pass this along to several people I know.
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