Management Rules of Thumb

Big Blessings Abound When Management Faithfulness Flourishes By John Pearson

“This is a large work I’ve called you into, but don’t be overwhelmed members who give it all and more for Kingdom purposes. You by it. It’s best to start small. Give a cool cup of water to someone can’t phone it in. Ministry management is in-the-trenches and who is thirsty, for instance. The smallest act of giving or receiving get-it-done work. makes you a true apprentice. You won’t lose out on a thing.”1 Let’s replay the video on those days when visit- ed her community center and ask ourselves: ■ What if…the restroom cleaning team had said yesterday’s irst, let’s all agree: It’s not about us, it’s about him. When cleaning was good enough? FGod blesses and blesses and blesses, it’s his doing, not ■ What if…a program director (up late with a client emer- ours. He can do it without our Big Vision Decade capital fund gency) cancelled a program because “they owe me a morning drive. Without our strategic thinking sessions. Without our off?” well-connected board members and CEOs and consultants ■ What if…an unruly fifth grader got what he deserved—in and PR gurus. He can even manage front of startled guests—instead of fine, thank you, without our CFOs. love and compassion? Yet God chooses to involve us in ■ What if…the divisional command- his work—and what an amazing er was showcasing the place to major work it is. donors and ignored a hello or nod In January, from a low income senior citizen? announced that it will receive a gift ■ What if…the carpeting was torn, from the estate of Joan B. Kroc, wife the signage misspelled, the receptionist of Ray Kroc, of frenzied, the sidewalk soiled, or the McDonald’s Corporation. The brochures bad (not to mention late)? trustees of the estate have estimated What if? Perhaps both God and that the gift could be in excess of Joan Kroc would have gone to Plan B $1.5 billion. The exact amount will and directed a billion dollars or more not be known until the completion of to some other organization that could the administration of the estate, demonstrate Management Faithfulness. according to Commissioner W. Todd But, praise the Lord. The team at Bassett, national commander of The the Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Salvation Army, and a member of the Community Center in , CMA board of directors. Calif., passed the test. Imagine the The gift by Mrs. Kroc has been specifically designated for hundreds of thousands of children, youth and adults—across the development of community centers across the country, the nation—who will now be ministered to by The Salvation similar to the landmark Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Army, because faithful managers and administrators—up and Center in San Diego, Calif., opened in June 2002. down the line—showed up and prayerfully and thoughtfully Make no mistake. Joan Kroc was not an uninvolved donor. executed their work, never realizing they were on stage. Reports indicate that after the San Diego community center Look closer behind every big blessing of God and you’ll opened, she would often show up anonymously, sit unassum- likely find a small army of managers and administrators who ingly in the lobby, and observe this unique ministry to chil- are faithful and fruitful stewards who show up every day dren, youth and adults from the vantage point of a quiet vis- ready for Kingdom business. Go flourish! itor. What did she see, hear, touch and smell—as a quiet phi- John Pearson is the president/CEO of Christian Management lanthropist—that birthed the vision for replicating this com- Association. You may email [email protected]. munity center experience across the country, to the tune of 1 Matthew 10:42 The Message more than $1.5 billion? Clearly she experienced Management Faithfulness. © 2004, Christian Management Association. All rights reserved. If you’ve been a ministry leader or manager for more than a month, you know that Management Faithfulness doesn’t For more information on the come easily. Joan Kroc gift to The Salvation Army, Every day, eight-hour shift after shift, a community cen- go to www.SalvationArmyUSA.org ter—and virtually all ministries and churches—require team

CHRISTIAN MANAGEMENT REPORT APRIL 2004 • 1