• Home
  • About the Book
  • About the Authors
  • Blog
  • Religious Trends
A Church Beyond Belief

The Great Challenge

11/10/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
Frustration apparent in her voice, the teacher confronted a misbehaving student: “Tell me one thing, what are you doing here? What is your purpose?” True to form, he gave a snide response. But years later the student relived that moment often. He was haunted by the question: what was his purpose?

The question became his guiding light. In his business career he rose because he was able to focus on what mattered most. Undaunted by minutia, he could zero in on the highest priorities. Repeatedly he asked colleagues that same question: what were they supposed to be doing? What was their purpose?

It was both a matter of business goals and a matter of style. His leadership became noted for how well people were treated and how clearly the organization functioned. Personally, he was also appreciative of his church. There he had learned values he readily applied. There his purpose became clear. In various ways he gave back to the church in gratitude.

Yet he was troubled that the church, where he found guidance, seemed unsure of itself. It didn’t sound unsure most of the time: confident sermons and sincere prayers flowed toward the pews. Purpose and confidence appeared intact.

But verbal assurance did not become tangible in church life. Committees squabbled. Programs faltered. Interest groups guarded their precious turf. Beyond platitudes the church splintered into factions. “The church can’t put its values into action,” this leader mused. “Has it lost its purpose?”

In a crucial way the church must learn from the business world. The ability to turn words into action, to live out purpose tangible, must be reanimated. Successful businesses get it. And Christian ideals seem obvious. But living them out in a timely way is the great challenge. Can the church revive its purpose? The jury is still out.

William L. Sachs 


0 Comments

    William L. Sachs
    Michael S. Bos

    Rethinking the place of belonging and belief 

    Archives

    October 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014

    Categories

    All
    Acceptance
    Beliefs
    Church Attendance
    Community
    Conflict
    Conservative/Liberal
    Faith & Politics
    Free Speech
    Geography Of Relationships
    Hope
    Interfaith
    Islam
    Isolation
    Leadership
    Millennials
    Negativity
    Pluralism
    Religion
    Spiritual But Not Religious
    Terrorism
    Vulnerability

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.