Here’s the principle: Whatever an organization or organism is actually producing, that’s what it’s optimized for. 

Some options:

• We can optimize for the delivery of religious products and programs
• We can optimize to minimize the complaints of stakeholders
• We can optimize for the job security and financial well-being of the lead pastor (concealed as concern for the financial well-being of the church)
• We can optimize for coolness, for acceptability in the larger culture, or for status in the church world

At least those are some of the options I have considered and perhaps even temporarily embraced in my leadership.

What is the church you are a part of optimized for?

If we are optimized for something other than making disciples, and if disciples aren’t being made, we’re likely facing a situation where things don’t just need to be “tweaked” a little…

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They were doing so many things right.

Good signage. Beautiful lobby. Excellent coffee bar. Near perfect lighting, sound, décor.

And everyone on the stage looked cool. You know what I mean: Fit, attractive, well groomed, casually dressed in designer jeans and shirts, a salt and peppering of tattoos and jewelry.

I felt cool just being there.

The flow of the service was unrushed but clearly well planned. One of the best video announcement montages I have ever seen, featuring a variety of ministry leaders who looked just as good as the people on the platform, was followed by an appropriately loud worship set.

Then came the sermon. Read More→

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