I’ll never run nothin’ …

 … if I don’t listen to feedback, and some are saying the former style was unreadable – so it’s time to embrace change!

Read Full Post »

If IRTD (Part 7) … I’d stop being scared of accountability

So, this is the biggy; this is the one where deeply held theological intuitions run into urgent ministry needs. This is the one where that dreadful fault – the intermittent appeal to the sovereignty of God – makes its regular appearance. 

From flickr by yolynne

If the 2 most urgent changes needed for church life revolve around building bridges into the community through programs of care and engagement, and that will absolutely necessitate raising up and developing leaders, then the third crucial change is this: to give the gift of accountability.

Virtually none of it exists in our churches at the moment. We are utterly terrified of it. We don’t believe in it – because, we say, our job is faithfulness, not fruitfulness (although you might have an argument with Jesus about that – Jn 15.1-7, Lk 19.11-27).

There’s lots to say here, but since this is just a thought experiment, go with me for a moment. Because the necessary machinery of accountability is having a goal and having to report on that goal.

So, here’s what I’d do. Every single ministry area within the church would be coached to generate some agreed goals – both process goals (do this thing), as well as outcome goals (see this result) – and then a reporting schedule would also be developed and adhered to. 

This would apply to small groups, services, growth in number of members, evangelism, ministry teams – everything! And it would utterly revolutionize our churches.

Read Full Post »