Business That's Personal

Our annual church business meeting is tonight. I'm trying to think how many churches still have business meetings.

I remember all the work that went into these when I was a kid, with my parents who were active in ministry positions at our church. It's important for any and organizations to evaluate their progress in whatever the have undertaken as their mission and purpose. Effectiveness of programs and personnel, condition of resources, status of finances, the transpiring of situations perhaps unresolved... there is much ground to cover.

Yet, we continually hear of decisions being made... "It's not personal... it's business."
Then there's relationships so strong that different decisions are considered... "The relationship is too great; I can't do that, even if it hurts the business long-term" (not heard nearly as often as the first)

People don't like to consider the church as a business... nor do people like to hear about churches more focused on the organization stuff than the people aspect.

Yet, any healthy organization must continually evaluate it's state of affairs in order to ensure everything is moving in the intended direction. Corporation. Non-profit. Government entity. Church body. The family unit.

It requires a diligent inspection of all the moving parts that collectively define the entity and hard conversations that follow about "what's next".

The church is the family of God, which means, operations within the church are about as personal as the decisions one makes regarding their own family.

It is in fact, business that is personal. No business is more personal that one that deals with matters of eternity, where the health of one's life matters here on earth and matters even more, in light of the life that comes after death.

Souls weigh in the balance. No business is more personal than the kind where lives are at stake..

What a great opportunity, to pray on this #effectiveSunday, for the effective and efficient operations of the body of the Christ. Pray for those churches, struggling, where the outlook of their people, operations and finances are in state of trouble, rather than health. Pray God would sovereignly intervene and bring help, direction and resources to pastors and boards that are stressing over the challenges they face and the decisions that need to be made. Pray for those churches, doing well, that are operation from a state of health; may the continue the good work they have begun. Pray for wisdom as they evaluate what is working, what is not and consider what's next... what God has for them to accomplish as they serve their community. Pray for all churches, to come into greater health as the body of Christ, greater relationship with God. May many lives be changed for eternity; destinies witnessed on earth; plans carried out; purposes fulfilled... all for the glory of God.

We are God's people. About our Father's business. Personal... from the very beginning of time.
God's only desire: Relationship with His kids.

- PNC

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