The first question we might ask about policy making in the church is “why?” — Why should a church need to make policies? We could respond with a number of reasons which all could be true. But we must step back further and look at the church’s purpose to love God and love people, the Greatest Commandments according to Jesus.
How our Purpose to Love Affects Our Policy Making Objectives
According to 1 Corinthians 13:7, love “always protects.” Our Church Purpose therefore provides objectives for policy-making:
1) We want to make sure God is glorified. We love Him so much we want to protect the glory of His name through our church or ministry.
The objective is not to be legalistic in our relationship with Lord but rather, because we love Him, we want His name lifted up and not marred by what we do.
2) We want to make sure people are provided for and safe. We love people so much that we want to protect them from harm and disunity.
The objective is not to control or manipulate people into conforming but to guide and look after their welfare.
Start any policy making by asking these questions:
- What kinds of policies are needed to meet these objectives?
- What kinds of policies will be counterproductive to meeting these objectives?
After providing a list of benefits for making policies, the Steering the Church Toward God’s Purposes Leadership Guide includes the encouragement in this post to provide policies in accordance with God’s purposes of love.
For More on These Topics, Go To:
All Posts about Policy Making:
- Policy Making Objectives
- Policy Making Parameters
- Policy Making & the Big Picture
- Policy Making & Freedom in Christ
- Policies with No Hidden Agendas
- Policies Reflecting Both Grace & Truth
- Church Policies & the Next Generation
- Don’t Let Policies Take on a Life of Their Own
- Spiritual Gifts in Determining Policies
- Spiritual Gifts for Writing Policies
- Spiritual Gifts Suited for Implementing Policies
- Turning to God or to Church Policies?
- God’s Your Defender, Not Your Church Policies
- Policies Shaped by the Gospel
- Policies Reflecting the Gospel
- Policies Shaped by Grace
- Policy-Making Safeguarded by Grace
- Why Policies When We Have God’s Word?
- Power to Maintain the Proper Focus in Policymaking
- Policies Reflecting the Resurrection
- Church Policies Done in the Name of the Lord Jesus
- Leadership Qualities that Positively Affect Policy Making
- Biblical Leadership Roles Positively Affect Policy Making
- Shepherding and Policy Making
Helpful to me
I want support on how to came up with an administrative policy of my church. thank you. Mary
Greetings in our Lord, Mary. Let me first suggest you read through all the posts in the policy making category of this practicum. That will provide a big picture perspective to align any kind of policy making with God’s purposes, design, and mission for the Church. Here are further steps you might take:
1) Choose a variety of people to work on the policy to bring different perspectives.
2) Identify all areas that would come under the administrative operations of your church (i.e., facility usage, finances, staffing, safety issues, organizational structures, communications, record keeping, etc.).
3) List administrative concerns under each of these areas.
4) Ask what parameters need to be put in place to keep these concerns in alignment with God’s purposes, design, and mission for His Church.
5) Turn those parameters into written policies.
6) Before drafting the final policy manual, ask others in the areas covered to provide input. People in the trenches are most familiar with needs and issues.
7) Make any adjustments as needed.
8) Seek final input and approval from church leadership.
Covering all areas that could be included in an administrative policy at once may seem overwhelming. You could begin with areas deemed most important. Complete one area at a time and then move on to the next. Or, you could assign sub-groups to work on the different areas.
Of course, all of this, each step of the way, should be enveloped in prayer.
please church policies must come directly to the message from god himself not the people …thanks
Yes, Anthony, policies need to be of God. As you read all the posts in the practicum on policy making, you’ll find that it’s not about coming up with man-made policies. God has given us what we need to arrive at His intent. He provides the standard in His Word. If policies don’t align with God’s purposes, design, and mission for the Church, we can be sure they aren’t from God. Though we may get input from people on needs and issues, the policies must align with the standard in His Word. It’s important we do whatever we do in His name (Col. 3:17), by His power so policies don’t take on a life of their own. He has given us His Spirit who, as we yield to Him, will help us keep the focus where it needs to be. That’s why we need to envelop each step of the way in prayer. He promises to give us the needed wisdom (James 1:5).