This weeks blog….as well as next  week, you are going to enjoy this 2 part series by my close friend, Bryan Miles with Miles Advisory Group.  Bryan and I had the great privilege to serve churches for about 6 years while working with a national church construction company.  Bryan and his wife Shannon have an incredible passion for the “church” and for serving those who lead their respective ministries. The Miles Advisory Group, Inc. (MAG) is a leader in church outsourcing. Through flexible and creative church outsourcing solutions, MAG enables churches to focus on their ministry with greater clarity, further excelling their effectiveness and purpose, for the real reason of why they exist.

As you read this series, I believe that you will see a thread similar to what I have been “preaching” for the past couple years about the benefits of outsourcing the “non-ministry” (now…I realize that all of life is ministry…but you get my drift) functions of church operation, such as accounting facility management, executive services, IT services, etc.

Part 1 (1 of 2)

Much has been written on the need for companies to “look outside themselves” when it comes to strategic planning. Wise businesses leverage outside consulting firms to gain perspective on things such as market share, issues, marketing, sales, finance, legal, and etc. They do this often … but not because … they may have a portion of the answer already or need to make a fast decision.

They do this to avoid thinking in a vacuum. They do this to fully understand what is exactly staring them in the face. They do this to help them call out that “thing”…a name that internally they are afraid to discuss or can’t see. They do this for many reasons … but mostly, they do this to gain objective counsel.

Why should churches be any different?

A wise church with solid leadership will know its unique DNA. They won’t budge on altering that … because that is what God called them to be. Yet, just having a DNA isn’t enough. You must execute on what God called you to be and become. How you execute your church and by what means … that’s where Strategic Outsiders come in.

How about this analogy:

Let’s say you’re 6’8”, 220 pounds of lean muscle, solidly built, in great shape … and you are in a convenience store with your two beautiful, young kids. You’re paying for your gas and that Icy Drink for the kids, and out of the corner of your eye you see four masked gunmen enter the doors with gusto. They bark directions immediately and chaos ensues. You’re a big guy, you have a lot to defend, your kids are in grave danger, emotions rapidly gather in your throat and stomach … should you go after the four gunmen alone? You hear a shotgun cock. What now?!

OK, so you decide to not go after the four gunmen, you gather your children quickly and lock yourself in the restroom. But why?! You’re a strong man, with athletic skills. God made your body and the strength you possess. Your mind races in the convenience store bathroom with your two scared kids and you begin to second guess if you should have stepped in. You hear screams and yelling and then a loud shot! Then one more shot. And yet another. Your kids are crying now and you have no idea what to think. The end of the world is unfolding right in front of you and you are paralyzed by a decision to protect your kids.

It turns out that you made the right decision. Almost as soon as the gunmen’s chaos started … 90 seconds later you hear the faint sound of several police sirens. You immediately feel relief enter you. The harsh sounds dissipate and order is restored quickly by 3 teenage-looking police officers. The next day you discover that the four gunmen have been captured and were on-the-run because they have escaped from a maximum-security prison one state away.

Can you identify with this story at all?

We will tie this up next week…stay tuned.

Bryan Miles is COO and Co-Founder of MAG (www.milesadvisorygroup.com) a leader in church outsourcing. You can follow Bryan at his blog at: www.MAGsays.com on with Twitter @bryanmiles.

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Tags: building project, church, church building, church construction, facilities, facilities management, Facility Stewardship, Outsourcing, room scheduling