Bruger:Palnatoke/Four and only four

http://www.makingchutney.com/2008/03/12/four-and-only-four-rules-for-doing-church/

1. Whatever works. We don’t need consensus. If it’ll get the job done, and someone wants to do it, they get to do whatever seems best at the time. If it’s easy and doesn’t require meetings, all the better. Unless it causes harm, all is permissible.

2. Whatever’s welcoming. Can new people come into this process? Will they feel they’re contributing to it and not just towing the line? Do they need years of congregational history (the “why” behind “we’ve always done it that way”) or will they feel good about jumping right in?

3. Whatever’s sustainable. Not just environmental sustainability, which is an ideal we’re working our way into, but process sustainability. Does the work depend on one person with unique abilities and hours and hours of free time? Can someone come right in and pick up where they left off? And, as far as financial sustainability, will it break the bank?

4. Whatever puts the congregation’s best foot forward. Will newcomers look at it and think, “That’s a pretty cool place to be”? Will it embody the congregation’s highest values and not put its integrity at risk?