Articles
How can reading business articles from an Entreprenural magazine help me lead a church?
Your vocation is the business of leading a church. While the purpose or bottom line may differ between businesses and churches, there is not a lot of difference in the processes we use to seek our particular goal. We all must hire, train, motivate and direct others in our work with people. We all must make decision about what is good enough and what needs to be better. We all must find a way to respect and serve receivers of what we offer (customers.) We all must present our organization to an unknowing public (marketing.) We all must account for the flow and effective use of monetary resources.
When the article is on business branding (establishing name recognition synonymous with value and integrity), marketing and promotion, we would do well to read very carefully as we have much work to do in the area of branding and marketing.
When a business article tells the number one cause of job failure is the lack of well thought out on-boarding training and orientation, the message for the church also includes the necessity of a well planned and meaningful orientation and membership class.
When the conversation is about managing money while taking risks, we have a chance to sit up and listen carefully, for we must take measured risks in the same consumer market.
When the article is on problem solving among people, I’m reminded of how difficult people can be to work with, let alone love…and how valued I’ve felt when those charged with my supervision or care have carefully sought to resolve potential conflicts.
It is very easy to tell ourselves we have only to love God, love people, love the church and everything will work out well. I’ve been around long enough to see too many loving people hurt because those entrusted to lead did not spend enough time in necessary skill development in leading staff and parishioners; did not put into place processes designed to protect the vulnerable, and thus failed to be effective leaders.
The business community is very serious about effective work. Though what we seek differs, we would do well to listen carefully.
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