Recently a friend loaned me a book on the history of industry and management in North
America. The changes over the past century have been dramatic.
In many ways it is good that the Church has not just followed the other segments of
society. The Church has too often tried to model itself on the Army, the Civil Service or
Business.
On the other hand there are important learnings we can take from this huge quantum of
human experience.
1) Volume matters! We have something good to offer but we need to do it on a much
larger scale.
2) We need to create mass public awareness of who we are and what we offer. Generations
have grown up without the Church and we need to re-kindle public awareness.
3) We need to believe that what we have can make a valuable difference in the lives of
people and move forward on the basis of that confidence.
4) We need to be ambitious for the kingdom so that next year’s reach exceeds this
year’s reach.
5) We need to increase our connectedness to the public by moving onto their ground and
by making their contact with us more convenient.
6) How can we make the best use of our facilities and personnel?
7) How can we be aware of the flows in church systems? Rather than just thinking about
evangelism, pastoral care, and program as separate components, how do we create a flow
between them?
8) Are there services and activities that can be standardized or centralized?
9) Good things happen when several different elements come together. How can we
recognize and make space for the managerial skills that can recognize and bring together
the necessary elements of positive change.
10) How do we move from the small pockets of class and culture to deal more broadly
with the entire population base?