<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Over the years I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve heard the statement that the church is a business and needs to be treated like one. I suspect that any time money is involved there\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a tendency to think this way. Comments like this are, in my opinion, examples of an unclear theology of big \u00e2\u20ac\u0153C\u00e2\u20ac\u009d and little \u00e2\u20ac\u0153c\u00e2\u20ac\u009d church and more specifically\u00e2\u20ac\u201dChristian stewardship. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s to the latter that I would like to generate some discussion.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
I have to take issue with the statement that the church is a business if we are super-imposing the secular understanding of business on the church. Yes, it is \u00e2\u20ac\u0153business-like\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in some ways. For example, churches have a budget and accounting procedures like most businesses do. Churches do need money to operate in the way that we practice little \u00e2\u20ac\u0153c\u00e2\u20ac\u009d (the local congregation) church. Many large congregations have business administrators. And, it is our \u00e2\u20ac\u0153business\u00e2\u20ac\u009d to carry out God\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s work. But there is a clear differentiation between the business of the church and the secular understanding of \u00e2\u20ac\u0153business.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d <\/p>\n
The purpose for which a secular business exists is to make a financial profit. That intent is inherent is its purpose. The bottom line is the financial statement. The church, however, has a different purpose. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s purpose is relational\u00e2\u20ac\u201dto lead persons into a healthy and meaningful relationship with God and others. By nature, the church is not a business. It is a community of faith! Its intent is not to make a financial profit, but to encourage spiritual growth in its members. The value of the dollar for the church is not equivalent to the value of the dollar of the secular business world. The value of a dollar in secular business transactions represents a fair, measurable exchange for property and\/or services. The value of the dollar for churches is immeasurable. It represents an exchange that brings about transformation and spiritual maturity in the lives of church members. Since the church is a community of faith, as opposed to a business, its success and value cannot be adequately measured by a financial statement. And church finances and finance committees should not control the life and ministries of the church. Finances are simply a resource to enable the people of God who feel called to serve effectively. <\/p>\n
An adequate theology of stewardship recognizes that it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not my money, the finance committee\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s money, or the church\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s money. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s God\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s money\u00e2\u20ac\u201dGod\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s gift to be used to resource the community of faith in carrying out its corporate calling. We respond to God in faith, and THEN consider the financial implications of resourcing our ministries\u00e2\u20ac\u201dnot the reverse! How many churches do you know who first determine their financial resources before stepping out in ministry? The business world would say that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s smart! But an adequate Christian theology of stewardship and calling challenges that notion. The church isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t a business. It is a community of faith\u00e2\u20ac\u201dand faith is the operative and distinctive word that sets the church apart from the secular business world.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Over the years I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve heard the statement that the church is a business and needs to be treated like one. I suspect that any time money is involved there\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a tendency to think this way. Comments like this are, in … Continue reading