The tendency as an organization grows is to complicate and to bring in the 'MBA's to create policy manuals and processes and procedures. Whereas, the temptation of the start up is to 'play office' by buying all kinds of office supplies and furniture to help the start up crew feel like a 'real business' or a 'real church' the temptation at the next phase is to over-complicate and to lose what made you great in the first place. Don't cave into the illusion that more processes and procedures will make you 'better' or 'stronger' or whatever. No question that there are a very few processes and procedures that have to be streamlined, defined and organized but be very careful to only add what will really benefit your growth and the health of the enterprise.
And, don't confuse bringing on great processes with adding layers of complexity and management and oversight. Some processes are necessary but some policies and 'policing' by boards and managers can cause the start up to lose her way.
Bring on great processes as needed and build great teams but bring on overarching policy and polity carefully and only after tons of prayer, fasting and study. In the long game nothing kills the momentum of a great church more than 'bad' polity -- i.e. how the church is governed, etc. [ except for radical changes in leadership or the moral failure of a key leader who fails to repent ]
I've been around church land long enough to see the devastation that bad structure and polity can bring to a church that could have & should have become a major force for good. Instead, their bad structure has led to infighting, decline, loss of key players and lessened community impact. It happens in churches all over North America everyday. I've seen great pastors and great churches get chewed up and spit out because of 'traditional' church polity & structures. Be very careful to put polity and structure in place that allows your enterprise to accomplish it's purpose.
Here's an article from Fast Company that is related to these ideas that will give you something to think about.
I'll have more to share about this in the days ahead.
Have a great day,
Jeff
