Is the (c)hurch a Business?

Over the years I’ve 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’s a tendency to think this way. Comments like this are, in my opinion, examples of an unclear theology of big “C” and little “c” church and more specifically—Christian stewardship. It’s to the latter that I would like to generate some discussion.

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 “business-like” 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 “c” (the local congregation) church. Many large congregations have business administrators. And, it is our “business” to carry out God’s work. But there is a clear differentiation between the business of the church and the secular understanding of “business.”

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’s purpose is relational—to 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.

An adequate theology of stewardship recognizes that it’s not my money, the finance committee’s money, or the church’s money. It’s God’s money—God’s 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—not 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’s smart! But an adequate Christian theology of stewardship and calling challenges that notion. The church isn’t a business. It is a community of faith—and faith is the operative and distinctive word that sets the church apart from the secular business world.