PEOPLE VERSUS SYSTEMS
It is often said by enlightened Christians (or any socially engaged group, for that matter) that its is people and relationships that are most important, and not systems and programs. That is to say, invest your time in connecting with humans, not in hiding behind events and processes.
And while I agree with the sentiment, I also want to put forth a truism about the opposite principle. I just finished reading Jim Collins' "Built to Last," and in it he talks about the great leaders being "clock builders, not time tellers." In other words, instead of being good at telling the time, the most effective managers put forth the effort to build a clock that would help others tell them time long after they had gone.
I was talking with a friend of mine who works for Mission Year, a Christian organization whose focus on relationships first is so important that it is in their battle cry: "Love God. Love people. Nothing else matters." And yet he agreed with me that it is important to build programs and procedures that outlast the individuals that run them.
We acknowledged to each other that it is tempting in Christian organizations or in non-profits that are social-impact driven to be focused on people. Whether it feels mistrustful to put a policy in place instead of counting a person to do something, or it feels noble to give good-hearted people leeway to use their instincts, subordinating people and relationships to standard protocols can seem inflexible and cold.
And yet -- without losing the personal touch -- such a slant is vital. I have seen too many churches and charitable groups who crumble after their charismatic leader moves on. I have seen too many big-hearted people burn out because too much of the success of their ministries and work depends on their efforts and insights. Our goal as Christians and as social change agents is to effect progress that outlives us, so we must be clock-builders, and not just time tellers.
The life of Jesus is an instructive case study of a "third way." Clearly, His life work outlived His earthly ministry. And yet how He made an impact was through relationships, through touching the lives of those around Him, and through molding twelve followers who would continue to propagate His essence and message long after His death and resurrection. May we who seek to be kingdom builders be Christ-like in this way among others: that we put people first, but that we value processes and systems that enable the cause to continue beyond our human limitations.
It is often said by enlightened Christians (or any socially engaged group, for that matter) that its is people and relationships that are most important, and not systems and programs. That is to say, invest your time in connecting with humans, not in hiding behind events and processes.
And while I agree with the sentiment, I also want to put forth a truism about the opposite principle. I just finished reading Jim Collins' "Built to Last," and in it he talks about the great leaders being "clock builders, not time tellers." In other words, instead of being good at telling the time, the most effective managers put forth the effort to build a clock that would help others tell them time long after they had gone.
I was talking with a friend of mine who works for Mission Year, a Christian organization whose focus on relationships first is so important that it is in their battle cry: "Love God. Love people. Nothing else matters." And yet he agreed with me that it is important to build programs and procedures that outlast the individuals that run them.
We acknowledged to each other that it is tempting in Christian organizations or in non-profits that are social-impact driven to be focused on people. Whether it feels mistrustful to put a policy in place instead of counting a person to do something, or it feels noble to give good-hearted people leeway to use their instincts, subordinating people and relationships to standard protocols can seem inflexible and cold.
And yet -- without losing the personal touch -- such a slant is vital. I have seen too many churches and charitable groups who crumble after their charismatic leader moves on. I have seen too many big-hearted people burn out because too much of the success of their ministries and work depends on their efforts and insights. Our goal as Christians and as social change agents is to effect progress that outlives us, so we must be clock-builders, and not just time tellers.
The life of Jesus is an instructive case study of a "third way." Clearly, His life work outlived His earthly ministry. And yet how He made an impact was through relationships, through touching the lives of those around Him, and through molding twelve followers who would continue to propagate His essence and message long after His death and resurrection. May we who seek to be kingdom builders be Christ-like in this way among others: that we put people first, but that we value processes and systems that enable the cause to continue beyond our human limitations.
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