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 What's Behind Your Decisions?The most obvious and frequently the most influential reference point is precedent.
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Within five minutes it is agreed to ask three retired ministers to share those four Sundays. No one questions whether that emphasis on yesteryear will create a favorable impression on first-time visitors born after 1960. Real-Estate RealityConsider a second example of how different criteria affect a board's decisions. "When I came three years ago as your new pastor, we were averaging about 85 in worship," reflected the 34-year-old pastor of Central Church. "For the past nine Sundays in September and October, we've averaged 163, almost double three years ago. I am convinced the time has come to add a second service to the Sunday morning schedule. I believe if we revised the schedule to offer worship at 8:30, Sunday school at 9:30, and worship at 10:45, we could be averaging well over 200 a year from now." "I admire your enthusiasm and your optimism," began a veteran leader, "but that would take us back to where we were before you came. This building was designed to seat nearly 500, including the choir. When we had fewer than a hundred, we rattled around in here like peas in a bushel basket, and the congregational singing was almost inaudible. We've finally got decent-sized crowds now. I don't think we should go to two services until we're forced to. When we get up to about 400 in church, that will be the time to talk about adding a second service." "Before we make a hasty decision," cautioned another board member, "I think we should talk about the people we might reach if we added an early service to the schedule." "My hope would be to broaden our appeal," explained the pastor. "We could build one service around the pipe organ and traditional church music and the other around contemporary Christian music with an instrumental group." Which should control this decision regarding schedule? The plans of the building committee of 1923 who designed this building? Or a desire to reach a more varied constituency? Money Mandate"After talking with five different fund-raising organizations and calling two dozen pastors from reference lists," the committee chair announced, "We recommend hiring the Smith & Brown firm to help us raise $800,000 for our building fund." "I have only one question," interrupted Harold Jackson. "What proportion of the churches they have worked with have met or exceeded their goal? We need someone who can help us meet our goal!" "I have two different questions," added Tracy Green. "First, which firm does the best job of enhancing the spiritual life of the congregation? Second, which one leaves the most satisfied group of parishioners behind when the campaign is over, and which one creates a bunch of people who feel they have been pressured?" What are the criteria to use in selecting a fund-raising agency? Its effectiveness in meeting financial goals? Or the atmosphere the agency creates? |             |
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