Some leaders compartmentalize leadership responsibilities into ministry versus business-oriented tasks, with facilities management falling into the latter category. When we do that, we risk putting less attention into how we manage certain areas. We may let down our guard and display attitudes not consistent with Christ-like qualities. It can even translate into people helping in these areas feeling less valued. In the long run, all of this can affect our role as an example and even our testimony.
God’s Word says, “whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31) and “whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Col. 3:17). Certainly, then, even facilities management falls into the “whatever you do” category. This is the perspective we need in all our leadership tasks and responsibilities. Christ-like qualities will help us keep this focus.
Leader Qualities That Help Keep the Focus of Facilities Management on Ministry
Notice how the following qualities keep us on that track so our attitudes in managing facilities keep the focus on ministry.
We must guard against comparing and competing. It’s about the Lord and what He does, not about the size of our building or the technology we employ. God can use us whether we have a big building or no building, whether rich or poor. It’s not about what we have but WHO we have. The Apostle Paul said, “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation …” (Phil. 4:12). He then goes on to say, “I can do all this through him who gives me strength” (Phil. 4:13).
The bigger and better our building, the greater our struggle may be to keep perspective. How we approach financial needs related to our facilities must be transparent, above board. We can apply what Paul wrote about finances to our facilities. He said, “For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man.” (2 Cor. 8:21)
People always matter more than buildings. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 refers to the emptiness of ministry without love. If we paraphrase it to fit the topic of our facilities, it might read, “If we possess the most splendid church building and use top of the line technology, but do not have love, we gain nothing.”
Not having a good place to meet can be difficult. Some have what we could call portable churches wherein they have to set up their meeting place each time in a location not considered their own building. It may be difficult to keep going. Those who do have their own facilities often face financial strains and other issues that make it difficult to keep going. Remember the exhortation in Hebrews 12:1-2. — “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”
We may be tempted to rush ahead and build or renovate when God wants us to wait or to stick with what we have. That takes self-control. Jesus said, “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you …” (Lk. 14:28-29)
For More on: Leader Qualities and Attitudes Resources
All Posts about Facilities Management:
- CHURCH FACILITIES: Keep Footing
- CHURCH FACILITIES: Keep Focus
- CHURCH FACILITIES: Keep Flexible
- CHURCH FACILITIES: Keep Functional
- CHURCH FACILITIES: Keep Free from Consumerism
- CHURCH FACILITIES: Keep Free from Comparisons
- CHURCH FACILITIES: Keep Free from Coercion
- Building Equals Increased Possibilities?
- Building Equals Increased Testimony?
- Building Equals Making an Eternal Difference?
- Building Reflect the Glory of His Name?
- Management of Facilities Requires Grace
- Grace Affects Giving
- Grace Needed for Attitudes about Church Facilities
- The Building Isn’t Enough
- Spiritual versus Physical House of Worship
- Transforming Work of the Spirit, Not the Building
- A House of Prayer?
- When a Church is Truly a House of Prayer
- Building Projects Benefit from More than One Type of Leader
- Facilities Management & Building Maintenance a Ministry?
- Building Reflect the Newness of the Resurrection?
- Building Reflect the Keeping of God’s Word?
- Weirdness Surrounding Church Buildings
- Leader’s Role as a Shepherd and Facilities Management
- Leader Qualities Matter Even in Facilities Management