Life-Sucking Silos

New friend and fellow-blogger, Pete Bishop, from Crossroads Community Church in Adrian, MI, writes:

"I'd love to read your blog thoughts on how you guys keep the main thing the main thing. And how you have prevented silo-ing as you've grown."

Aw, the challenge. From my observation - with growth comes:

• an ever-increasing response to the invitation to dream big
• expertise in leadership in every ministry department
• leaders with not only expertise, but great passion for the unique area they're leading
• expanded resources - in giving and serving - with those resources come the belief that we can do more than we are committed to now
• the temptation to control "my area" for efficiency and effectiveness
• less understanding of every other ministry department, because each area requires focus, expertise and lots of energy and time

I'm sure you can add to the list, but these few realities will quickly and easily lead to a silo approach to ministry, wherein every ministry of the church watches out for their interests with bulldog furociousness, convinced that their "baby" is the precious birth and prodigy of the Holy Spirit himself. Who's gonna mess with that?

Somebody better!

Response coming tomorrow... (read it here)