Structure v. Growth
Posted By Mike on May 6, 2010
Had a great conversation with a friend of mine yesterday that got me to thinking. He said that often times we in the church assume that if we build the structure the organization will grow. He wasn’t talking about a building kind of structure like a worship center or education building, but the structure of an organization, like Sunday School or small groups – you know, teachers, outreach leaders, coordinators, fellowship coordinators, and the like.
I think there’s some truth in his comment. I think that we think it’s the structure – creating and filling leadership positions, developing accountability groups, setting the expectations, etc. – that does grow an organization. Don’t get me wrong. I think that these are important and necessary to a point. If we don’t create a place to serve and invite people to serve out of their passion and giftedness in these areas you have to ask yourself, “Will it get done?” I often wonder about who’s doing what? What are the expectations of the organization? Where’s it going? How will people know if they are really doing what’s needed? OK, you get the idea. Please remember, I’m a process guy. I developed them in the corporate world and I still develop them now.
But let me throw this monkey wrench in the mix, isn’t it people that grow an organization, especially an organization like Sunday School or small groups? Isn’t it people who love people, love God, and have a passion for their community that grows an organization. . .that grows a ministry?
We do need structure and expectations. But I also believe we can become so caught up in building and maintaining the structure that we really miss the heart of the matter. . .people. . .reaching them and discipling them.
What do you think?
Straight on Mike, it’s a partnership of us doing our part by following God’s leading and utilizing God’s provisions. Prayer and God’s word, as in our daily life on a personal basis, MUST be the foundation for the good works that partner with the mysterious work of God’s Spirit in people’s lives. That kind of partnership… that is when we see miracles in churches.