I had a lesion removed from my leg today.
It was quite unseemly and my wife had been begging me to get it checked out for a long time.
You see the warts and want to remove them.
I often say that this is why I went into church planting. I wanted to avoid all the mistakes that others made. Oh the foolishness of youth.
Well, I came across an article today from a church and pastor that really get it.
He seeks to excise one of the big warts marring the face of the evangelical church today.
What ever happened to the priesthood of the believer? Why is ministry always relegated to the professionals?
Ministry is seen as happening only on Sunday mornings where a bunch of people come into a place and watch the professional minister/s perform.
Often this critique is used to reflect poorly on the membership. Why don’t they get out of their pew and do something?!?!?!
But the criticism should fall squarely upon the shoulders of the people on the platform.
Many “professional ministers” cultivate (maybe unwittingly) the attitude of Rush Limbaugh, “I was born to host, and you were born to listen.”
While the ministry of the preacher/teacher is extremely important to the health of any local church, it is not by any means the only one.
In fact it’s purpose is to equip the body for all of the other ministry that happens during the other 167 1/2 hours each week.
This wart has become so obvious to me, living and working in Italy where the culture is predominately Roman Catholic.
Italians have very little use for religion. But in the moments that they do, they want the priest to come and do everything for them. The quicker the better.
He blesses your house. He baptizes your baby. He serves you the Eucharist. He forgives your sins.
It is a service performed by the professional clergy. And evangelicals are just as prone to the same thing.
Check out the article by Gary Vanderet of the Peninsula Bible church in Cupertino, CA here.
Friday, August 17, 2007
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Committee vs. Team
Let’s face it. Committees are a joke. You laugh when you hear about them and you moan when you are asked to be on one.
I’ve noticed a trend recently. Churches are changing the names of their “committees”. It is no longer the missions committee but rather the missions team, or global task force, or team for global impact, etc.
This is a good idea given the negative connotations of a committee. But really, what’s the difference between a team and a committee?
While chatting with my teammate Dustin the other day we identified two main differences from our personal experience between committees and teams.
It seems that committees are based upon deliberation. Six people get together in a room and talk about an issue. They talk and talk. Talk is focused on the politics of the decision, past procedure, or minute detail. Then the issue is tabled until the next meeting, when they will talk some more.
After a period no shorter than 3 months the committee renders a decision.
The decisions that come out of committee are usually safe, compromising, and do not effect positive change.
In short, committees talk a lot but don’t ever get anything done.
On the other hand, properly functioning teams are based upon roles, and each team member fulfilling their role at the highest level possible.
Discussion becomes pointed as each person offers their unique perspective. This moves debate and makes it interesting. It also allows the leader to quickly see all of the angles to a problem and available options.
The result is a quicker decision.
But not just any decision. A more strategic one.
Properly functioning teams have a purpose. Whether it is a football team that wants to win the Super Bowl, a team of scientific researchers who must develop a more effective drug for fighting a disease, or a church missions team whose heart is see the expansion of the church in unreached parts of the world, teams have a reason to exist.
Each decision made by a team is intended to enhance effectiveness in fulfilling its purpose.
So while committees are based upon deliberation, teams are based upon action.
Pray right now for Team Italy One as we meet regularly to make decisions. Pray that we would always move beyond deliberation to strategic action.
I’ve noticed a trend recently. Churches are changing the names of their “committees”. It is no longer the missions committee but rather the missions team, or global task force, or team for global impact, etc.
This is a good idea given the negative connotations of a committee. But really, what’s the difference between a team and a committee?
While chatting with my teammate Dustin the other day we identified two main differences from our personal experience between committees and teams.
It seems that committees are based upon deliberation. Six people get together in a room and talk about an issue. They talk and talk. Talk is focused on the politics of the decision, past procedure, or minute detail. Then the issue is tabled until the next meeting, when they will talk some more.
After a period no shorter than 3 months the committee renders a decision.
The decisions that come out of committee are usually safe, compromising, and do not effect positive change.
In short, committees talk a lot but don’t ever get anything done.
On the other hand, properly functioning teams are based upon roles, and each team member fulfilling their role at the highest level possible.
Discussion becomes pointed as each person offers their unique perspective. This moves debate and makes it interesting. It also allows the leader to quickly see all of the angles to a problem and available options.
The result is a quicker decision.
But not just any decision. A more strategic one.
Properly functioning teams have a purpose. Whether it is a football team that wants to win the Super Bowl, a team of scientific researchers who must develop a more effective drug for fighting a disease, or a church missions team whose heart is see the expansion of the church in unreached parts of the world, teams have a reason to exist.
Each decision made by a team is intended to enhance effectiveness in fulfilling its purpose.
So while committees are based upon deliberation, teams are based upon action.
Pray right now for Team Italy One as we meet regularly to make decisions. Pray that we would always move beyond deliberation to strategic action.
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