The Business of the Church: The Uncomfortable Truth that Faithful Ministry Requires Effective Management [Perfect Paperback]

John W. Wimberly Jr. (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 18, 2010

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.

Editorial Reviews

Review

If you have questioned whether the words business and church should be in the same paragraph, then you must read this book. Wimberly does a masterful job connecting essential business functions to ministry. Starting from an acknowledgment of the systemic nature of church, to the day to day management of staff and money, he guides the reader to deeper understanding of roles and function. --Phill Martin, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, National Association of Church Business Administration

This is where we as clergy fail again and again. We don't handle finance and administration in a professional way; we don't even know what is appropriate and what isn't. John Wimberly has put together all of the essentials about how to manage the business side of the church's life for those who prefer not to learn the hard way --Dean Snyder, Senior Pastor, Foundry United Methodist Church

Wimberly does a masterful job of analyzing the intriguing system that is the church. Even better, he dishes up a feast of practical strategies that promote congregational vitality and effectiveness. --Joanna M. Adams, Pastor, Morningside Presbyterian Church, Atlanta, GA

About the Author

John W. Wimberly, Jr., pastor of Western Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C., has a unique combination of theological and business skills developed over 36 years of parish ministry. He has earned an MDiv, Ph.D in systematic theology and MBA. During his ministry at Western, he negotiated a deal for his congregation worth more than $20 million with the International Monetary Fund and managed the construction of a new facility in downtown D.C.

Product Details

• Perfect Paperback: 164 pages
• Publisher: The Alban Institute (May 18, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1566994047
• ISBN-13: 978-1566994040
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #339,634 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

John Wimberly was ordained in 1974. Since 1983, he has been pastor of Western Presbyterian Church in the heart of Washington, D.C. During his time at Western, the congregation's membership has changed from 75% over the age of 70 to 60% under the age of 45. Western is a progressive congregation feeding 250 homeless people daily, working with homeless children in art, and establishing a clinic for women and children in Ethiopia. In 1994, Western moved to a new building five blocks from the block where it had been located since the Civil War. To accomplish the move, John was the lead negotiator in a $30 million land and building exchange agreement with the International Monetary Fund. His recent book flows from the challenges and opportunities he has experienced as a manager of a growing urban ministry. John has a B.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, MDiv from McCormick Theological Seminary, PhD in theology from The Catholic University and MBA from The George Washington University. He is married with two adult children and three grandchildren. He and his wife have a second home in Mexico.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This system works., June 21, 2010

By 

William J. West (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Business of the Church: The Uncomfortable Truth that Faithful Ministry Requires Effective Management (Perfect Paperback)

As a business executive I have seen a number of systems and initiatives introduced in various settings, some successfully and others not. Over the years I have developed three questions that I ask when any such initiative is proposed:

Is it understandable?
Is it communicable?
Does it work?

John Wimberly's book assembles his years of expereince into a format that he encountered repeatedly during his MBA education. The format is quite familiar as a business book, with its practical organization and illustrative tables. Thus it is understandable.

He uses business principles and terminology, which will be familiar to most board members and easily learned by staff. It is therefore communicable.

His experience of managing a church with several functioning ministries demonstrates that the system works.

This book will not only help any church leadership function from day to day and from year to year, but will also strengthen the trust between the clerical and lay leadership and between the church and the community at large.

I've bought a copy for the board members of my church and another for my sister, who sits on the board of hers.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pastors should get this book!, June 16, 2010

By 

Coach Bob (Virginia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Business of the Church: The Uncomfortable Truth that Faithful Ministry Requires Effective Management (Perfect Paperback)

I think this book should be required reading for all pastors, especially those who are new or fairly new to a parish.

Wimberly makes a clear distinction between leadership and management, noting that most pastors have to do some of both - (1) help a congregation catch the vision of what God is calling them to be and do and (2) attend to the details of making sure things are done effectively.

He uses a systems approach, noting how the church works as a system in the larger cultural system. That appeals to my inclination to try to see the big picture. Three interlocking inputs - Personnel, Facilities, and Finances combine to produce the ministry outputs of Proclamation, Pastoral Care, Program, and Mission.

Under each category he describes many specifics of how a pastor needs to manage, appealing to people who are insistent that details be handled competently but who sometimes have trouble seeing the big picture. I especially like his stressing the importance of having clear personnel policies and procedures. I have seen any number of pastors who come into conflict because of unclear expectations, resulting in the pastor being forced out of the church or members leaving in anger. As one who has seen some atrocious church websites, I strongly endorse his assertion that churches normally need to hire someone to do this.

While I quibble with a few side opinions that Wimberly voices (e.g. over the proper tenure for interim pastors), I think this is a most valuable book. I have already and will be recommending it to my coaching and consulting clients.

Rev. Robert A. Harris, Harris Coaching and Consulting -bobharriscoaching.com

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Soothing balm for the transitioned, July 1, 2010

By 

VWD - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Business of the Church: The Uncomfortable Truth that Faithful Ministry Requires Effective Management (Perfect Paperback)

I read the book (devoured, actually) on my way to work and was so engrossed, I nearly missed my train stop.

My husband and other staffers were recently "transitioned" off the church roll after a new pastor hire. The process was wrenching since we had been members for 19 years and my husband a staffer for 7. This book would have helped the new pastor with systems and processes for the new hires and the current staff. My (secular) HR department handles these transitions very well, and this book will help pastors do the same.