As we are getting ready for our third birthday and affirming our structure with our Constitution and Bylaws, its important to remember a few things. Our structure has definitely been one of the reasons we’ve been able to see so much life change happen in such a short time. And it will continue to help us fulfill God’s purpose in the future. Here’s what’s been happening:
- Our structure is simple. This lets us move quickly rather than slowing us down with unnecessary bureaucracy. I’ve seen the committee system (not) at work. For example, I remember when I was pastoring another church, doing the job for the committee on committees (seriously, they have those) to recruit people to be on other committees for which I would also do their job. At one church, I remember, they had "The Committee of Three." I wondered, what did they talk about, the number 3, could they find a 4th member? For most of the things we do, we don’t need a 16-step process or another long meeting, we just need to move on it.
- Our structure makes everyone’s life easier. The way things get scheduled, purchased, and the way people are empowered and resourced for ministry should be simple. If you have to wait for the next meeting of the whatever committee, it’s usually too late. Committees are notorious for discussion and no action. It’s always easier to say no than to get out of the way and see what God can do. That’s risky, but that’s how God works best.
- Our structure brings us together. This is the opposite of what happens in the typical business meeting, which are divisive by nature, if not just downright boring and a waste of time. (I’m remembering when first time guests would show up on business meeting night, AAAAHHHH!) As much as I tried to get our people to business meetings (and I’ve led plenty of them), they didn’t come because they trusted the direction of the church and were happy. However, I’ve heard about business meetings that are packed out when people get mad and want someone’s neck. That is far from unifying. A healthy church structure focuses on the things that we can agree on, not on the non-essentials that people enjoy debating. Plus, one time, the children of Israel took a vote in the Bible, but it didn’t turn out so well for them. (Numbers 14:1-4)
- Our structure is invisible. People don’t want to know how something works as much as they want to know it works well. It’s like your skeleton, it needs to be strong and healthy, but it belongs inside your body, not hanging out where everyone can see it. That’s just gross. A lot of what happens behind the scenes in a church in the way of business should stay that way. The information that you put out in front of everyone is then the fruits of the labor, rather than the sometimes messy process.
- Our church is Staff-led. It was funny to say that in the early days when it was just me, but along the way, God has brought us some incredibly talented people to serve on our staff. We have wise, called, gifted, passionate people on our team and they have the freedom to do their job and lead. The staff are the administers, the people are the ministers. It’s been that way since day one and it is biblical, it’s called the priesthood of the believer (1 Peter 2:9). I bring people around me to give godly counsel, process information, and help me make wise decisions. People have come alongside us because they see God at work at TCC like they never have before. Some people who want power or control in a church will not want to go along for the journey. But there is a place for everyone here who wants to serve with a team in ministry.
Will we blow it at times as a staff? You betcha! But that’s what happens in everything that’s worth doing. We fail. We get up. We learn. And we go at it again.
I’m so glad that TCC is not "business as usual" when it comes to how we operate. That’s what has drawn many people to our family. Life change drives us. Relationships bond us together. God’s Word guides us. And God’s Spirit leads us to do what only He can do.