Things they don’t teach in seminary

Consider how business theory applies to the church. Some believe it is the definitive model of how to do church. Others are more skeptical. The church is in the world and submits (hopefully with eyes wide open) to some of the basic laws of earthly economics, but it is not of the world. It has a different origin and orientation with a different mission. The church transcends business in at least three major areas.
The bottom line: The business of business is to return a profit for shareholders or owners—to make money or produce value. Unless income exceeds outgo, the enterprise is “on the ropes,” whether for profit or not-for-profit. This is not evil but a simple fact of life in the current economy.

The business of the church, on the other hand, is to restore and grow healthy relationships with God, people and God’s creation. Reconnecting people with their Creator is its reason for existence. These two diverging purposes must be held in tension with each other. Our personal values determine where the line is drawn. Jesus himself said, “No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, … You cannot serve God and wealth” (Matthew 6:24).

The church uses money but is not finally dependent on it. Money is only one of God’s many provisions. Prayer, faith, the gifts of the Spirit, God’s Word and time are always more significant resources than money. God has unlimited resources. God expects us to use all these resources wisely and for God’s glory.

The true “business” of church is an ongoing work of the Holy Spirit. His work cannot be measured by the metrics of the bottom line. Indeed, the highest values of the church—love, joy, peace, patience, contentment and generosity defy any human yardstick. The fruit of the Spirit cannot be managed into existence; it can only be grown through God’s Spirit.

Grace: Grace permeates everything a congregation is and does. Grace is the foundational value in the church. Our worth as human beings descends from the Heavenly Father, who created us. This value is inherent and cannot be earned or commodified. God accepts us because he loves us, not because of what we bring to the church. God offers grace to everyone who comes to him in faith. In contrast, the business world requires proof of value and places a high priority on performance and efficiency.

Christians function through grace. Every believer receives a significant ministry capacity through the gifts of the Spirit. These are given completely, apart from performance. Not a single gift of the Holy Spirit is given for private, personal benefit but for building up the body of Christ. In business, performance and merit are basic principles that determine both responsibility and reward. No one is employed who cannot benefit the enterprise. Those who do not produce are let go, sometimes ruthlessly. God does not do that. Our value is not based on performance.

Secular ability does not give anyone an advantage in the work of the church; it does not automatically transfer. In 1 Corinthians 6, the Apostle Paul makes the shocking suggestion that the most insignificant Christian is more qualified as a conflict mediator than a secular judge. All secular ability must first be reoriented to conform to the values and mission of Jesus Christ. Gifted teachers, orators, musicians, coaches, athletes, actors, administrators and financial managers should not expect their abilities to transfer directly into the life of the church.

Christians give in response to God’s grace. Grace is the churches’ “economic engine.” Generosity is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. The essence of Christian giving is not in response to external need; God does not need our money. Instead we give in order to disconnect ourselves from the dominant values of our culture. Our giving reveals the depth of our faith in God to provide for our security. Truly we have given nothing to God until it impacts our lifestyles. He desires our first and our best, not our leftovers.

“Give us this day our daily bread.” Grace is a daily blessing. We believe God is the daily provider of our needs. The church must use all the resources God provides today for ministry today, trusting that God will provide all the resources tomorrow for what he wants us to do tomorrow. The church has a pedal-to-the-metal mentality when it comes to doing ministry.

Leadership: Leadership is where the distinction between the church and business is most pronounced and often least appreciated (even in many seminaries). “Servant leadership” may be taught in pastoral theology, while in another room across the hall, modern business and leadership techniques are being taught in practical theology. This disconnect often leaves seminarians scratching their heads.

Jesus clearly taught a “servant leader” model. But what does that mean? Does it merely provide a “Christian” twist to the apparent truths of the secular business-management-leadership model, or is it a completely different approach? Jesus calls every Christian to follow him. Therefore servant leadership is derived from discipleship. “Follow me as I follow Christ” discipleship defines leadership. Pastoral leadership is therefore fundamentally different. The common New Testament term for leadership (“proistemi”) does not have the modern connotations of executive direction or management but is more protective and pastoral. The executive director type of leadership is an alien concept in the church.

In business, the vision for the enterprise comes from the person (or people) in control. Success depends on the leader’s ability to produce the desired outcome. The leader lives by quantifiable results. He or she constantly evaluates inputs and outputs, process and procedure, using rational measuring sticks to “tweak” the entire process. “If you can’t measure it, don’t bother with it” describes the underlying process. Again, this is not evil but a recognition of reality.

The vision for the church descends from above, from Christ, who is our head. He is alive and actively building his church. For pastors this means that their own vision for the church is valid only to the extent that it conforms to the vision of Jesus Christ. Pastors are neither the “owners” of the church nor the source of its vision; they are simply resources to the congregation for discerning the leading of Christ.

Pastoral leadership focuses on illuminating Christ’s vision and developing the internal character of each believer for maximum participation in his mission. The pastoral method is invitational and noncoercive. That kind of leadership may feel messy to those who prefer the structure of the business plan. Since producing results in the congregation depends on the internal and voluntary response of each believer to the Holy Spirit, both the process and its outcomes are beyond the pastor’s control. Pastoral leadership places a high priority on nurturing those who are highly committed (disciplined) to excellence and are internally motivated by God’s Spirit to participate in Christ’s mission.

The church can appreciate some of the gifts that business thinking can bring. The entrepreneurial mindset can be a tremendous asset to help the congregation think outside the box when it comes to doing Christ’s mission. Business logic can often be helpful in bringing some needed discipline and accountability to some of its more mundane processes.

But it cannot be the ultimate authority; it must always be subservient to Christ’s vision and mission. Business thinking has some serious limitations that cannot be overlooked. As one writer commented: “The church is not the business world. As I’ve observed the effects of the business world on people’s lives, it doesn’t produce the traits the church is all about: joy, contentment, grace and love” (Leadership, Spring 2006). Quick, decisive action is highly valued in business. But unless the whole congregation and its leadership share a clear understanding of Christ’s vision, the “bully shepherd” will quickly scatter the sheep. Shepherding a congregation requires teaching, discernment and much patience.

How does a congregation combat stagnation? Simply by focusing afresh on the vision of the living Christ for his church. A congregation’s health depends on how well each member understands and owns that vision. While the gospel itself never changes, each generation must develop fresh wineskins in which to live it out. No congregation can be content with merely maintaining and propagating its received heritage. It must always seek a fresh paradigm to achieve its calling.

Ernest J. Hershberger is pastor at Berlin (Ohio) Mennonite Church.