How to row a boat.
Should faith impact the design of an operational system?
If you have ever been whitewater rafting, then you participated in a pre-trip rowing tutorial. This tutorial is designed to accomplish three things.
Communicate the plan and the skills required to navigate the river
Clarify who's in charge and assign duties
Bolster a sense of team
This process is not exclusive to rafting. It is an important part of operating any system. In other words, it communicates the who, how, what and why essential to the success of every team member. The question is: should the process for churches and businesses be different?
Below are four classic views on associating faith and business principles:
Churches need good business principles
Churches are not businesses and should not be run like them
Businesses are not churches, their goals and principles don’t mix
Businesses (like churches) have a material, spiritual and social purpose
Your beliefs on these positions will reflect your broader views on life and vocation. Those embracing a division between the sacred and secular will prefer #2 and #3. Those who view business through a faith-based lens will prefer #1 and #4.
If you are in leadership (Clergy or Marketplace), then you have struggled with this problem in some form.
“How do I balance my care for team while stewarding the organization?”
“How do I translate the purpose of my organization systemically?”
If you don’t acknowledge your bias on items #1-4, then you will likely operate from a conflicting framework.
“Stakeholder Theory” and the “Missio Dei”
In the mid 1980’s an understanding on the integration of business and the broader economy, called “Stakeholder Theory”, emerged. The goal was to redefine “stakeholders” from shareholders to a broader group set including, employees, customers, suppliers and the community at large. Embracing this viewpoint, fits hand in glove with the “Missio Dei”. A belief that Christians participate in building God’s kingdom in every endeavor of life. Those holding this view believe it to be a directive found throughout the Bible (see Jeremiah 29).
…Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare… For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Rowing Tutorial
Thinking this way narrows the division between CEO and Pastor or COO and Executive Pastor. While their duties are different, their operating systems can share many attributes. Both roles seek to translate the organization’s mission, vision, and values to all those impacted (the Stakeholders).
This doesn’t mean the CEO must lead a bible study. Nor does it mean the Pastor must increase market share. But all leaders must consider how their office operates in the larger narrative of God’s Kingdom. Then they can stand up in the boat and:
Communicate the plan and the skills required
Clarify who's in charge and assign duties
Bolster a sense of team