The Department Store & The Gym

       The first argument that you are going to offer will probably be something like "but Michael, churches are not businesses."
       What would happen if churches stepped back and looked at themselves through the viewfinder of the business spectacles? Mind you, I am not saying that churches should begin to make themselves businesses, I am only suggesting that they see what they would look like with a business perspective. I will explain...A department store has one purpose and one purpose alone: to make a profit. Each year they compare their profit to last year's profit and if they have an increase then they are successful. I have worked for at least one national big box chain that evaluates their profit, by comparison, daily. Each day, they gather together and vocalize the profits from today and the same day last year. They compare each department of the store and discuss which departments increased profit and which departments need work. This profit is, of course, dollars. Any store that fails to make a profit from year to year, eventually will fail to exist.
       So, how does this translate over to church work? A church's profit would be what? Souls saved, right? I know that church is more than that, but this is, or should be, the number one priority. When we look at the New Testament, and read about "the church" we see entries like "were added to the church, daily." If we audit any church, would we see that, compared to the same date last year, there is an increase in the number of people who have accepted Christ? If a church is found to be losing people or not gaining, then could we claim "profit" or "loss"?
       How about a business who has less customers each year? How about the store that has just enough customers to keep the doors open, but not enough to reinvest in the business? Profit or loss? Would you consider yourself a successful businessperson if your business was not reaching the spending public, was woefully outdated and had lost touch with the community? Is it enough to merely be in business?
       I decided to seek a new gym. I noticed that a new one had gone in at a local strip mall. I stopped by and went in to inquire as to prices and hours. As I scanned the gym, I noticed that the equipment was dated and of lower quality. The guy told me that he and friends had opened a private gym and that each had donated equipment for the group to use. I was politely informed that I was unwelcome: Members (friends) only. I found another gym, and joined for a while. The owners had invested in good equipment and facilities. They had done their homework, too. They had figured out that people need to work out at varying times of the day. They had people trained to meet me where I needed them. They could teach me to work out on weights, involve me in an aerobic workout program, show me how to follow a weight loss program or offer a massage for my weary and hurting body.  I need a church that can offer the same. Why try to operate with substandard equipment, in an outdated facility? Why do we think that 10:45-12 (on the dot) Sundays is ideal worship time? So the pastor says "I have 5 minutes to finish up." Are the members going to revolt if God leads him to expound past noon? Does God not show up at other times? Can you not have trained leaders who can teach me to build my spiritual self, while offering me strategies to reduce the weight of the mistakes and sin that has weighed so heavy on me? How about a place that offers the opportunity to heal and rejuvenate?
       Can I hear some of you saying "I hear bitterness. Sounds like sour grapes." If this is what you are saying, then read it again, please. I am a participant in the system. I have been on both sides of the counter; customer and merchant, member and minister. I see failing businesses and wish to yell and scream, but to whom? I can sit in a restaurant and spot a bad waiter, as well as you can. Would the business benefit from a change in personel or at least some coaching on the fine points of customer service? I know bad food when I taste it.
       How many churches are operating in the red and have been for years, but keep the doors open with the faint hope that a miracle will take place. "After all" some of them may comment, "I showed up. I tried. I did my part. It's not my fault." I have heard that when Col. Sanders was at the helm of his chicken empire, he would walk into a sub-par KFC, shut the doors, fire and rehire. For church... look with the bosses eyes, and determine what would allow you (as a church and member) to be the best steward of the resources you were given.