Pastors are called to be not only leaders with vision, but also managers of congregational systems, says John Wimberly in The Business of the Church. Drawing on his thirty-six years in ordained ministry, Wimberly weaves the realities of congregational dynamics and faith-centered purpose together with practical, proven approaches to business management. A student and friend of Rabbi Edwin Friedman, Wimberly builds on Friedman's systems theory as he helps readers avoid common pitfalls and put into practice effective techniques of congregational management. The book begins with a foundational discussion of how a systems approach helps congregational managers identify areas of dysfunction and effective solutions. Managing the critical 'inputs' of people, facilities, and finances has a direct bearing on the desired 'outputs' of proclamation, pastoral care, and mission. A strategic plan, through which a congregation sets its goals and identifies and prioritizes resources, is an essential management tool for both pastors and lay leaders. The author's conversational writing style and many real-life examples make a seemingly complicated, mysterious topic for some an engaging and easily applicable read.

A new history explores the commercial heart of evangelical Christianity. American evangelicalism is big business. For decades, the world’s largest media conglomerates have sought out evangelical consumers, and evangelical books have regularly become international best sellers. In the early 2000s, Rick Warren’s The Purpose Driven Life spent ninety weeks on the New York Times Best Sellers list and sold more than thirty million copies. But why have evangelicals achieved such remarkable commercial success? According to Daniel Vaca, evangelicalism depends upon commercialism. Tracing the once-humble evangelical book industry’s emergence as a lucrative center of the US book trade, Vaca argues that evangelical Christianity became religiously and politically prominent through business activity. Through areas of commerce such as branding, retailing, marketing, and finance, for-profit media companies have capitalized on the expansive potential of evangelicalism for more than a century. Rather than treat evangelicalism as a type of conservative Protestantism that market forces have commodified and corrupted, Vaca argues that evangelicalism is an expressly commercial religion. Although religious traditions seem to incorporate people who embrace distinct theological ideas and beliefs, Vaca shows, members of contemporary consumer society often participate in religious cultures by engaging commercial products and corporations. By examining the history of companies and corporate conglomerates that have produced and distributed best-selling religious books, bibles, and more, Vaca not only illustrates how evangelical ideas, identities, and alliances have developed through commercial activity but also reveals how the production of evangelical identity became a component of modern capitalism.

Guidebook contains ideas for reflection, discussion, and action based on the chapters in the main text.

"Studies have shown that most pastors enter the ministry to "help people" and "preach the Word of God", yet 80-90% of their time spent in the ministry has nothing to do with either of these noble desires! Most of your time as a pastor is spent managing the business of church! The vast majority of my pastor friends are failing miserably in this area. Why? Seminary does not teach business principles! In this book, you will identify crucial business areas that can have an incredible impact on your local church! Successfully addressing the crucial concepts in this book can ensure the sustainability, reach, and ultimate success of your church!"--Back cover

These days "getting religion" is generally considered a rather quaint thing of the past. "Getting spirituality," on the other hand, is the hottest thing on the market. In fact, corporate-sponsored spiritual salve is becoming the most popular prescription for the overworked and soul-weary employees. But for many Christians, this antidote has become its own epidemic. How is this epidemic infecting the church? How should the church respond as a community of believers? According to authors Michael Budde and Robert Brimlow, the church must resist becoming the "chaplain to capitalism." Christianity Incorporated reminds us that Christ-centered discipleship is fundamentally at odds with consumer capitalist priorities. The church must have a mission and a voice in society that is distinct from, rather than in chorus with, watered-down corporate spirituality. Christianity Incorporated is a wake-up call for all Christians. Courageous, current, and accessible, this book will provide guidance and insight to anyone concerned with pursuing Christian discipleship in our consumer culture.

In The Church Leader's MBA: What Business School Instructors Wish Church Leaders Knew about Management Dr. Mark Smith, Ed D and Dr. David W. Wright, Ph D teach you how to take proven management principles from the business world and apply them in your local church. Unfortunately, most ministerial preparation programs do little to provide business and organizational tools to aspiring ministers. This book is written by ministers and organizational managers for church leaders. The Church Leader's MBA focuses on four areas of professional management skills that we believe ministers must develop: - The ability to develop an organization - The ability to lead people effectively - The ability to manage the operational elements of the organization - The ability to manage one's own ongoing professional development. The church is both a human organization and a spiritual community. Our point in this book is that successful ministerial leaders understand both elements of this identity and master a set of tools related to the leadership of both of these elements

Can business activity in itself be morally good and pleasing to God? Sometimes business can seem so shady-manipulating the "bottom line," deceiving the consumer, or gaining promotions because of whom you know. But Wayne Grudem introduces a novel concept: business itself glorifies God when it is conducted in a way that imitates God's character and creation. He shows that all aspects of business, including ownership, profit, money, competition, and borrowing and lending, glorify God because they are reflective of God's nature. Though Grudem isn't naïve about the easy ways these activities can be perverted and used as a means to sin, he knows that Christians can be about the business of business. This biblically based book is a thoughtful guide to imitating God during interactions with customers, coworkers, employees, and other businesses. See how your business, and your life in business, can be dedicated to God's glory.

This book is about leadership, management, and organizational structure as it applies to the church. This book is based on the author's observation and surveys from some of the members of four churches. It is an evaluation of how leadership and management, or the lack of the same, affect the operation of the church. It is this author's belief that church is not a business and should never be mistaken for a business. However, the paraphernalia of business such as leadership, management, and organizational principles, should be a part of every pastor's tool bag. Chapter one looks at the Bible example of leadership, management, and organizational principles. The Bible has several examples of God's leader engaging the principles used in business to accomplish the work of God. This author would never suggest that church and business should be operated the same. However, the church as marketed by Bible examples, should employ the principles of leadership. Chapter two is the results of an evaluation of four churches. The churches are named First Church, Second Church, Third Church, and Fourth Church. The results are based on surveys and the observations of this author. The information was collected and charted to give a picture of the leadership, management, and organizational principles found in each church. Chapter three looks at leadership and some of the factors that affect it. This chapter combines the information gather with the principles of leadership in order to determine the effectiveness of each organization studied. Chapter four looks at management. This chapter covers management issues such as budgeting and resources. It also looks at forecasting and directing. Chapter five looksat organizational structure and how it affects the operation of the church. It looks at the leadership structure and the authority of the pastor. It is a discussion on the proper use of delegation and communication.