Rethinking Greener Churches

A lot of talk today is about how we can make our churches greener as it relates to environmental impact.

I want to take a different angle on churches becoming greener.  More specifically, about money.

I know so many churches today are navigating the waters of decreased finances and increased pressure on current staff.

What to do?

What if we used this time to rethink strategy?

Instead of increasing pressure on current staff or feeling forced to hire every position for a new multi-site strategy what if we put on a new pair of glasses?  I know as the church grows the strategy must adjust.  However, what if this was an approach for the launching period?

What if we took the time to pour into leaders that currently attend our churches and put them into positions?  No pay.  You say there is no way anyone would ever do that.  I disagree.

External rewards are not the greatest rewards.  In fact, research says that external rewards (i.e., money) often contribute to lower productivity and decreased quality.  Do not forget that people have intrinsic motives.  So many people want to contribute even more than we allow them to do in our churches…without pay.

If you are a church that has a good number of Gen Yers, you might be positioned even better.  They are all about being a part of something bigger than themselves.  Share the vision.  Make the ask!

Imagine if we spent less time worried about finding money for new staff positions and exerted effort into developing and releasing our leaders.  You could have a single staff person that is charged with this responsibility.

We often think of the word volunteer and that word often undermines what people are really willing to give.

We become so focused on money when we should focus on developing and releasing leaders in our churches.

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2 Responses to “Rethinking Greener Churches”

  1. Jason Young 02/16/2010 at 10:28 am #

    So, you know first hand what I am talking about. Since I know you, I know what you can add to your church and love it while serving!

  2. Chris Hill 02/16/2010 at 9:51 am #

    Refreshing post, Jason. I totally agree. I’m a volunteer staff member of my church and I’d rather be a part of a great vision/mission rather than a part of my church’s financial problem.

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