Is your congregation more like a living, ever-changing spiritual organism or a religious organization in danger of institutionalization? Your answer makes a tremendous long-term difference in the vitality and vibrancy of your congregation and its Christlike witness.
Ray Skimpkins, pastor of the Mill Valley congregation, led a dialogue on this issue during a recent leadership retreat. He asked the congregational staff present not to weigh in on this issue, as he needed to hear from the lay leaders.
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For Ray, the answer was clear and straightforward. Nevertheless, he understood Mill Valley, much like other congregations, had members who viewed the issue from different perspectives.
He had already guided the staff through this dialogue. They crafted some statements that expressed the difference.
If their congregation were like a living organism, it should focus on its vibrant life centered on God.
If they were an organization, they should focus on guiding the congregation’s vital program structure, helping everything run more smoothly and with greater harmony.
Ministry-focused structure
This had not been an easy dialogue. The staff generally focused on highly visible programs, ministries and activities, as well as their ongoing management.
Leah, who heads the women’s ministry, was the first to speak, sharing her perspective the congregation functions largely like an organization. In her area of ministry, women become members of the program.
They make certain time, talent and financial commitments. Without a strong organizational structure, she felt her ministry would not exist. She also felt that was true in other areas of the congregation.
Speaking for the lay-led care ministry within the congregation, which supports and extends the pastoral care efforts of the staff ministers, Ted indicated their focus was on seeing everyone as a person of worth, created in the image of God, who desires love and support.
He was not sure about the word organism but felt something would be missing if they saw what they did as an organization.
Jim and Joanna, who lead the children’s ministry on Sundays, mentioned that if parents felt like they were just part of an organization, they might be less likely to keep coming to Mill Valley. They come because they enjoy the experience through various programs, ministries and activities, rather than seeking membership in an organization.
Besides, more than one-third of the families with children under 12 have never joined the congregation. This concerns Jim and Joanna. Parents are looking for love, care, support and a strong Christian spiritual foundation. So, if they have only two options — an organism or an organization — Joanna and Jim choose organism.
Either/or or both?
Numerous others spoke up. Many expressed similar viewpoints. No vote was taken, but an informal hand raising revealed a 60% to 40% split with the most raised hands choosing the congregation as organism. Wrapping up the dialogue, Ray indicated the staff at first had the same split between organism and organization. He was not surprised by the lay leaders’ responses.
His perspective is that every congregation is some of both. Yet his desire is that the congregation is more an organism than an organization.
As an organism, he believes God’s empowering vision and the growing and deepening relationships people have with God and one another are of the highest importance.
Still, the organizational functions of programs and management must undergird the ongoing ministry of the congregation.
Ultimately, the focus must be on God’s empowering vision and the disciple-making processes. This fits the idea of a living, breathing, ever-changing spiritual organism.
EDITOR’S NOTE — George Bullard spent five decades in Baptist congregational and denominational ministry. His ministry roles included three churches, three associations, three state conventions and one national entity. He began as a columnist for TAB Media Group’s publication The Baptist Paper in 2022. Bullard now serves as a strategic thinking mentor for Christian leaders through his ForthTelling Innovation ministry. TAB Media Group published his new book “Soaring with Faith: The Difference Maker for Congregations” — available on Amazon.
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