Helping Small Churches
Build a Lasting Foundation
Built on The Word of God
Foundation for Success
A Lesson From Matthew 7:24-27
Matthew 7:24-27: Jesus teaches about the wise man who builds his house on the rock, symbolizing a strong foundation in God's Word. Seeds planted in such a foundation are more likely to grow and thrive." Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock." The teaching in Matthew 7:24-27 about building on a solid foundation is about building on Christ's word, the Word of God!
How can we think about our church organizations as it relates to building on a solid foundation?
An organization must establish clear and purposeful values, vision, mission, and policy statements. Just as a wise man builds his house on a rock, organizations thrive when their core principles and practices are grounded in a stable and enduring foundation.
Here's how each element relates:
Values
The Foundation of Character
Biblical Correlation: Values are like the rock upon which the house is built. They define what your organization stands for, shaping its character and guiding decisions. In the same way, the wise builder's reliance on a solid rock reflects the unchanging principles found in God's Word.
Application: An organization grounded in strong values—such as integrity, humility, and service—is prepared to weather challenges and build trust with its stakeholders.
What do you Value?
Example: Management Action Group LLC
We are committed to upholding justice, righteousness, truth, honest speech, and love as foundational principles of our work, guided by biblical examples and teachings:
-
Justice: Just as Abel’s blood cried out from the ground (Genesis 4:10), we recognize the sacred call to pursue fairness and accountability in every interaction, ensuring that integrity and equity are at the heart of what we do.
-
Righteousness: Inspired by Abraham's plea to God to spare the righteous in Sodom (Genesis 18:23-33), we seek to reflect God’s character by acting with moral uprightness and a heart for what is good and holy.
-
Truth: As Jesus declared, "You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John 8:32), we are committed to speaking and standing for truth, fostering clarity and transparency in all our endeavors.
-
Honest Speech: Following the example of Stephen, who spoke boldly and truthfully even in the face of persecution (Acts 7:54-60), we strive for courage in communication, ensuring our words are rooted in sincerity and guided by love.
-
Love: Reflecting the greatest commandment, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind... and love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-39), we are dedicated to serving with compassion, grace, and selflessness, putting others' needs above our own.
Where Vision Aligns with Faith
Proverbs 29:18: “Where there is no vision, the people perish.”
The Blueprint for Growth
Biblical Correlation: A vision gives direction, much like the builder plans the structure before construction. Jesus’ parable suggests that acting on His teachings ensures the house (or vision) stands firm, even under pressure.
Application: A clear, God-honoring vision aligns an organization with its purpose, helping it grow and thrive on a stable, Christ-centered foundation.
Has God Placed a Vision in You? Can You Share it?
Example: Management Action Group LLC
At Management Action Group, we envision small churches thriving as they passionately serve their congregations and communities, meeting spiritual and practical needs with excellence. We strive to provide tailored guidance and tools that equip churches to effectively steward their resources and embrace innovative strategies that glorify God. Our mission is to reach pastors and church leaders across diverse regions, empowering them to grow their ministries with confidence. By utilizing advanced technologies and proven methods, we help churches maximize their impact for the Kingdom. Rooted in faith, we are committed to fostering growth and sustainability, ensuring churches not only survive but flourish. Our philosophy centers on Christ-like humility, servant leadership, and unwavering integrity. We see ourselves as partners in ministry, leveraging our strengths to support the unique calling of every church we serve. Our aim is to uplift the reputation of the Church by promoting transparency, accountability, and community engagement. Finally, we honor those who dedicate their lives to ministry by providing compassionate, Christ-centered support that values their roles and uplifts their work.
Mission
Examples: Management Action Group LLC
Biblical Correlation: Jesus emphasizes that hearing His words is not enough; they must be put into practice. Similarly, a mission statement focuses on actionable steps to achieve the vision, rooted in the organization’s values.
Application: A mission provides the practical means to live out the vision and values daily, ensuring that the organization fulfills its purpose with clarity and impact.
It's okay to reach for the stars, as long as your reach is grounded in Christ, supported by true and honest values, and driven by a vision that honors God and His will for you and His Body.
Example: Management Action Group LLC
At Management Action Group, our daily mission is to walk alongside small churches, offering personalized consulting services that address their unique challenges and opportunities. We equip pastors and leaders with actionable strategies to serve their congregations effectively and grow their ministries in alignment with biblical principles. By crafting practical solutions, we help churches steward their resources wisely, leveraging cutting-edge tools and technologies to maximize their impact. Our commitment to fostering growth ensures churches thrive spiritually and operationally, maintaining sustainability and relevance in their communities. Guided by a Christ-centered philosophy, we operate with integrity, humility, and a heart for service, partnering with churches to reflect God’s love in every interaction. Through open communication and support, we aim to strengthen the local church impact and create a lasting legacy for future generations.
Policy Statements
The Guardrails for Consistency
Biblical Correlation: Policies are like the walls and reinforcements of the house, ensuring that every part is constructed to withstand external forces. Just as the wise builder ensures the house is well-built, policies protect and guide an organization’s operations, preventing it from collapsing under pressure.
Application: Thoughtfully crafted policy statements help maintain alignment with values, vision, and mission, ensuring consistent practices that reflect the organization’s solid foundation.
Examples:
1. Child Safety Policy Statement
"Our church is dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of all children in our care. We adhere to strict protocols for screening, training, and supervising volunteers and staff to provide a secure, loving, and Christ-centered environment."
2. Financial Stewardship Policy Statement
"We are committed to responsible and transparent financial management, using all resources entrusted to us to further our mission and serve our community faithfully. Accountability and prayer guide every financial decision."
3. Worship Team Policy Statement
"Anyone serving on the worship team must be spiritually prepared, prayerful, and committed to serving Christ in spirit and truth. We expect all team members to embody a heart of worship that reflects a genuine relationship with God and readiness to lead others in His presence."
Building on The Rock:
Matthew 7:24-27 teaches that enduring success comes from a foundation firmly rooted in God’s Word. In the context of organizational leadership, this principle highlights the importance of grounding Values, Vision, Mission, and Policy Statements in timeless truths and intentional planning. When an organization aligns its statements with these principles, it creates a structure capable of withstanding challenges and thriving in its purpose.
Supporting Context:
Churches summarize their goals and objectives using mission and vision statements. Mission statements provide direction to daily operations, helping to align activities with the church’s spiritual and community goals. Vision statements, on the other hand, articulate the ultimate long-term purpose and values of the church, guiding the congregation towards a shared future. Clear, realistic, and attainable mission and vision statements are crucial for church improvement and play a significant role in setting expectations that affect overall congregation satisfaction.
While mission and vision statements are typically used for organizational management, their effectiveness extends beyond mere administrative tools. They should be employed not only as guides for managing church activities but also for evaluating whether the church's operations align with the expectations of the congregation. The focus on how these statements relate to congregation satisfaction is essential, suggesting a need for studies that evaluate mission and vision statements from the perspective of church members' satisfaction. This approach would provide a continuous variable for correlation testing, which is vital for understanding and improving the impact of these statements on church growth and member engagement.