Not many of us get pumped up about processes, policies, and procedures. Yet, most of us do care deeply about outcomes and results. The truth is that the two are usually connected—even in the life of a church!
Listen to the wisdom of the writer of the biblical book of Ecclesiastes:
“The wise heart will know the proper time and procedure.
For there is a proper time and procedure for every matter.”
(Ecclesiastes 8:5b-6a, NIV84)
Eugene Peterson captures the spirit of this passage in The Message when he paraphrases:
Yes, there’s a right time and way for everything,
(Ecclesiastes 8:6a, Message)
In the New Testament, the same principle is articulated by the Apostle Paul when he writes to the church at Corinth as follows:
For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. . .
all things should be done decently and in order.
(1 Corinthians 14:33, 40, ESV)
At Ingleside, we recognize that good processes, policies, and procedures will not guarantee God’s favor and the health of the church. However, their absence will certainly waste energy, make conflict more likely, and diminish spiritual vitality and growth.
So we do our best to order our life together in a way that honors the biblical principle of everything “done in a fitting and orderly way” (1 Corinthians 14:40, NIV84).
An example is our upcoming Semi-Annual Church Conference on Wednesday night, February 22, following other programming (at 7:45 p.m.) in Room W-200 (over the west entrance to the Worship Center). I hope you will join us.
As always, there will be snapshots of our key ministry metrics, a report from our Overseers, and a Q&A time with me. In this meeting we will also receive our annual independent certified audit (I’m grateful that it’s a “clean opinion” again this year), and we will vote on the Bylaw changes related to our Deacon Ministry Team.
Of course, processes, policies, and procedures should always be reviewed and improved as the size and complexity of our ministries grow. What’s appropriate for a church of 100 is usually not best for a church of 2,000 and beyond.
The bottom line: I’m thankful for a church family that recognizes and values the biblical principle of everything “done in a fitting and orderly way.” It’s for our good and God’s glory!
Your Pastor and Friend,
