Is your ministry investment worthy?

So there are two kinds of businesses:

1) The one that loses market value and needs to be dumped - it's not going to rebound, &

2) The one that loses market value and you get excited - it's just gone on sale!

The first doesn't have exceptional management, doesn't have a vision beyond the crisis, doesn't have leadership emboldened to overcome any obstacle. Get out! Get out NOW! ...because MORE investment is sure to make for a greater loss, and the LONGER you're in the more you've already lost!

The second has exceptional leadership, clarity of vision, passion of purpose, and ideally the team or other resources to ride out troubling circumstances.

For the first, crisis creates chaos.

For the second, crisis brings even greater clarity.

So - let's talk ministry... Churches with performance-driven paradigms, who don't get grace theology, who are striving for blessing instead of resting in sufficiency, but have clear vision and exception leadership thrive materially even while spiritually impotent. Strong Leadership principles impact people, whether for God or for self, for flesh or spirit, strong leaders lead.

At the same time, churches without strong leadership, clear vision, and purity of purpose may be struggling to teach a kind of grace theology (true grace-life produces clear, spirit-led leadership) - but will flounder as an organization. Grace can certainly lead to solid management principles, but it does not negate the need for them.

Where are you?

Is your church thriving in it's vision even in the midst of calamity? Do trials heat up your passion and highlight your burden, or muddy the water and dilute the focus of your organization?

One final thought - a word of caution. Clarity is not the same as true spirituality. Good leadership principles are just as useful in building up our flesh as being fully activated and used by the Spirit. Nevertheless, when the flesh gets in the way of good leadership practice, when personal identity crisis prevents authentic and influential leadership, churches see a lack of fruit - whether plastic or spiritual.

Pass this on to your leaders, and let the tough discussions begin! And please let me know how I might come alongside what Father is doing in your life and ministry as He brings clarity to these issues for you.

ridiculously graced...
-mike.

Mike Daniel
www.StoneLife.org
Phone: 210-646-GRACE (4722)