I’ve been studying and thinking about systems a lot lately.
One of the things that I’m realizing is that if the right systems are not in place, particularly within the church, no matter how much you wish, how hard you work, or how long you pray… you will not be as effective as you or your organization can be.
A few thoughts with regards to systems:
- Most pastors can “handle” and some can even grow a church based on the strength of their personality. At some point however their personality becomes an obstacle to the growth and effectiveness of the organization. If you don’t have the right systems in place your church will never grow bigger than you… and that’ll be a shame!
- Most pastors are not systems thinkers and find the process of thinking through systems to be painful, consequently they don’t think through them.
- Systems, mission, vision, values, etc. what is all this organizational mumbo-jumbo?
- Mission = why we are here.
- Vision = what we’re going to do.
- System = how we’re going to do it.
- Core values = what we’ll never change while we are changing.
The more I talk with pastors, church planters, and leaders the more I am realizing the incredible value of pro-active systems.
I’m going to be thinking through the “systems thing” on this blog. I’d love for you to join the conversation so that I’m not just talking to myself because that’s just weird! 
Filed under: church, leadership
Systems can quickly become tyrannical monsters if left unchecked. The occasional Knute Rockne “Team, this is a football” speech can help maintain or regain focus as it is needed.
Systems are good, as long as “they” are not leading the charge. See this article re: Willowcreek
http://blog.christianitytoday.com/outofur/archives/2007/10/willow_creek_re.html
Peace!
I read a comment at Tim Stevens’ post on Andy Stanley’s Catalyst talk that wondered about systems being scriptural. Well, Jesus sent out his disciples systematically right? In twos, what to bring with them, what not to bring, when to call it quits and move on down the road… Matt 10:1-16; the early church set up a system and chose seven to oversee food distribution…Acts 6. There is definitely a need and a biblical precedent for systems.
Systems should help the church carry out it’s missions, vision and values.
A church should be asking…
What do we want people to become?
What do we want people to do?
Where do we want people to go?
(ala Andy Stanley)
Systems help “pull” people along the process helping people becoming, doing and going.
Systems should also be simple, (Simple Church by Rainer)