Topic: Should the Church Take Lessons from Corporate America? (Read 1866 times)

LaylaMonroe · « **on:** May 04, 2011, 10:44:23 AM »

I'm about to write a blog on this subject, and I could use your input.

What do you think? Take it any direction you want; I just want to hear from you on the subject.

I already have my intro written; but I want to know what other people think about this.

blyempowered · « **Reply #1 on:** May 04, 2011, 10:46:32 AM »

Yes, because corporate America can teach some principles on organization, structure, etc.

No, because many principles that dominate corporate America conflict with Christian values. For example, compromise. To make it in corporate America one must fit in with the system. Being a Christian is not about fitting in, but about being peculiar.

Just my 2 cents.

lordluvr · « **Reply #2 on:** May 04, 2011, 10:48:37 AM »

No. I believe too much of that is going on already.

chevonee · « **Reply #3 on:** May 04, 2011, 10:51:57 AM »

Quote from: lordluvr on May 04, 2011, 10:48:37 AM

No. I believe too much of that is going on already.

Could you explain this a little further please?

lordluvr · « **Reply #4 on:** May 04, 2011, 11:03:04 AM »

Quote from: chevonee on May 04, 2011, 10:51:57 AM

Could you explain this a little further please?

I'll give one example and then get out of the way. Look at how many churches advertise themselves nowadays, just like corporate America advertises its product lines or its companies. When I look in the NT, in the book of Acts, in Paul's and Peter's epistles, etc. all I see is Christ being "advertised".

blyempowered · « **Reply #5 on:** May 04, 2011, 11:05:06 AM »

Quote from: lordluvr on May 04, 2011, 11:03:04 AM

I'll give one example and then get out of the way. Look at how many churches advertise themselves nowadays, just like corporate America advertises its product lines or its companies. When I look in the NT, in the book of Acts, in Paul's and Peter's epistles, etc. all I see is Christ being "advertised".

+1

LaylaMonroe · « **Reply #6 on:** May 04, 2011, 11:10:25 AM »

LL, please don't get out of the way. What you mentioned was one of my first points (but I only have 3 so far, and I'd like a few more to look into).

Thanks, Churchy! Good point, sir.

phbrown · « **Reply #7 on:** May 04, 2011, 11:11:38 AM »

Quote from: LaylaMonroe on May 04, 2011, 10:44:23 AM

I'm about to write a blog on this subject, and I could use your input.

What do you think? Take it any direction you want; I just want to hear from you on the subject.

I already have my intro written; but I want to know what other people think about this.

no, and the reason I say that is because corporate=selfish

However I do think corporate america needs to tkae lessons from Jesus though. There is a severe amount of moral decay facing companies today or at least camera phones are making it easier to expose.

phbrown · « **Reply #8 on:** May 04, 2011, 11:13:15 AM »

Quote from: phbrown on May 04, 2011, 11:11:38 AM

no, and the reason I say that is because corporate=selfish

However I do think corporate america needs to tkae lessons from Jesus though. There is a severe amount of moral decay facing companies today or at least camera phones are making it easier to expose.

sorry I meant take not tkae

blyempowered · « **Reply #9 on:** May 04, 2011, 11:19:01 AM »

Quote from: phbrown on May 04, 2011, 11:11:38 AM

no, and the reason I say that is because corporate=selfish

However I do think corporate america needs to tkae lessons from Jesus though. There is a severe amount of moral decay facing companies today or at least camera phones are making it easier to expose.

Absolutely bro! That's why I pray we have more Christians begin to dominate corporate America, particularly the areas in which norms and philosophies can be changed.

Traditionally, when it comes to church I'm more of a laizze-faire person but I have seen FAR TOO MANY occurrences in church where everybody thinks they are the boss. There has to be some order and structure. I'm not saying a system where it's all about one person but at the same time not one in which everybody runs the show. Churches that have survived and grown are ones in which structure and order is very essential!

chevonee · « **Reply #10 on:** May 04, 2011, 11:21:11 AM »

Quote from: lordluvr on May 04, 2011, 11:03:04 AM

I'll give one example and then get out of the way. Look at how many churches advertise themselves nowadays, just like corporate America advertises its product lines or its companies. When I look in the NT, in the book of Acts, in Paul's and Peter's epistles, etc. all I see is Christ being "advertised".

Don't get out of the way....I just wanted to hear your perspective on that subject. I understand where you're coming from now. Thanks

nessalynn77 · « **Reply #11 on:** May 04, 2011, 11:25:30 AM »

As far as efficiency and excellence? Yes As far as compassion? NO. The corporate world is cut-throat. Their goal is the bottom line and if you are helping that, they love you, but if you are in the way of them making another dollar, they will cut you loose and say, "Don't take it personal". I agree with LL, that we have too much of that attitude in the church already. People preach a whole doctrine based on "Me first(and last, and all points in between)" Aside from that, a corporation can teach us a lot about managing money, investing, projecting, marketing... we just have to remember our mission is totally different and sometimes backward to what the corporate world is doing, and make sure we don't adopt anything that tries to change that.

chevonee · « **Reply #12 on:** May 04, 2011, 11:32:00 AM »

Quote from: nessalynn77 on May 04, 2011, 11:25:30 AM

As far as efficiency and excellence? Yes As far as compassion? NO. The corporate world is cut-throat. Their goal is the bottom line and if you are helping that, they love you, but if you are in the way of them making another dollar, they will cut you loose and say, "Don't take it personal". I agree with LL, that we have too much of that attitude in the church already. People preach a whole doctrine based on "Me first(and last, and all points in between)" Aside from that, a corporation can teach us a lot about managing money, investing, projecting, marketing... we just have to remember our mission is totally different and sometimes backward to what the corporate world is doing, and make sure we don't adapt anything that tries to change that.

Very well said Nessa!! It is indeed sad that our churches have become consumed with this "ME first" mentality. I have to admit that I felt kind of bad after reading some of these responses because I see this same type of stuff in the organization I'm in and it really bothers me...A LOT.

blyempowered · « **Reply #13 on:** May 04, 2011, 11:34:15 AM »

Absolutely Nessa!!!

lordluvr · « **Reply #14 on:** May 04, 2011, 11:51:08 AM »

Nessa (and others) said a lot of what I was thinking. I'm going to attempt to say it anyway, though I may just end up saying the same thing, just in a different way.

My second example is that of focus. Paul, in Ephesians 4: 14-16 stated one of the purposes of the church:

" But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love."

We see here that there is a profit motive in the body of Christ, just as in Corporate America. The difference here is that the entire body profits, whereas in Corporate America, the company does.

Arkhams Finest · « **Reply #15 on:** May 04, 2011, 12:20:05 PM »

The question wasn't "Should the church try to be EXACTLY like the Corporate world".

Should we take lessons? ABSOLUTELY.

I've found most churches to have a lack of communication, accountability regarding performance, and organization.

sjonathan02 · « **Reply #16 on:** May 04, 2011, 12:29:15 PM »

Quote from: Arkhams Finest on May 04, 2011, 12:20:05 PM

The question wasn't "Should the church try to be EXACTLY like the Corporate world".

Should we take lessons? ABSOLUTELY.

I've found most churches to have a lack of communication, accountability regarding performance, and organization.

It's a slippery slope.