April 10th, 2010
Another day – another three dozen emergencies. When will it ever stop? It wasn’t supposed to be this way when you went into leadership. The reasons don’t matter when the ministry is hard to manage – you just want it fixed.
Here’s a thought worth considering:
Christian Ministries and For-Profit Companies should be managed exactly the same way except for the taxes.
Some of you understand that. Not all principles from the business world come directly from Satan’s desk. In fact, many of you clearly see business concepts and practices in Scripture – and work to apply them in your ministry. Good for you! Keep it up.
Others, however, do not or cannot translate them into Ministry applications. Things are clearly broken. Low staff morale, missed deadlines, and an overall sense of “this is too hard” seem all too easy to find.
Why is this? Could it be that you are working “In” your ministry rather than “On” it?
What I mean is that working “On” the ministry forces you to look at the daily, monthly and annual plan as a business plan. Something you need to get everyone on board with.
In the for-profit world, we study four areas in order to get better results:
* Knowledge: The things you need to know to produce a great product
* Skill: The things you need to do to produce that great product
* Attitudes: Who you are in reality and perception that makes you function as a team and makes you attractive to your customers
* Habits: Your ability to integrate vision, mission, and values in your daily work at all levels of the company
A recent survey we took of our E-Newsletter readers pointed out some very interesting things. Here is a summary:
* 48% - have a budget below $100,000
* 88% - DO NOT have all the funding they need to do the ministry
* 64% – site TOO FEW DONORS as the reason for budget shortfalls
* 33% – The average BUDGET INCREASE NEEDED to fund the programs
* 49% - DO NOT have a Case for Support
* 32% - DO NOT have a Budget for Development
* 100% - state that their VISION is REALISTIC
* 100% - are COMMITTED TO GROWTH
* When asked TO WHAT DEGREE IS THE ECONOMY IMPACTING YOU:
o 20% – Giving Is Above Budget (Something is working)
o 40% – Giving Is Equal to last year
o 40% – Giving is Below Last Year
* When asked HOW LONG THE ECONOMY WILL TAKE TO REBOUND:
o 14% – It is Already Improving
o 12% – By the End of 2010
o 20% – Sometime in 2011
o 29% – After 2011
o 2% – A very long time from now
* When asked HOW DO YOU LEARN to solve problems in the ministry:
o 80% – Network Among Peers
o 76% – Ask Their Board For Help
o 71% – Use Books, CD’s and Other Media
o 69% – Attend Conferences
o 45% – Attend Webinars
o 14% – Hire Outside Help/Consultants
Did you find yourself in any of these responses?
Now let’s convert this to the Ministry Environment:
* What is your Product?
* Who are your Customers?
* Is your Staff a Team?
* Is your Strategic Plan being held up as the Ministry Vision at all levels?
If the answer to any of these questions is no, you probably need to carve out some time and put on your “Donald Trump – Ministry Leader” cap and ask yourself questions like:
* If 88% don’t have the funding they need, why do they keep asking themselves (peer networks and board) for advice?
* What would have to change in You Personally (the leader) in order for that change to filter down to your staff?
* When was the last time your Strategic Plan and your Case for Support were compared to make sure they are in alignment?
* How much time are you spending thinking in New Ways about the ministry? Have you put limits on it by accident?
I suggest that if you are the head of your ministry, or the head of your department, these questions should bring you to a point of assessing where you are and how Christ is reflected through you and the ministry.
Do your customers (donors) see a commitment to quality? Do your Vendors like doing business with you? Are your staff members growing closer to Christ and each other?
By working “On” the ministry – you may just get to a place where working “In” the ministry is more rewarding and fun. Now how happy would Christ be with that?
