Managing Projects for Ministry

40 Manag i ng Pro j ec t s for Mi n i s t r y

3. Project management pursues productivity and leverages opportunity with minimum amount of risk.

a. Project management limits its investment to specific, temporary, unique projects which need not be indefi- nitely repeated if they turn out not to be successful.

b. Projects allow churches and organizations to explore opportunities wisely and carefully, searching for more and more effective ways of attaining its organizational mission.

III. Implications and Connections for Urban Ministry Today

Num. 14.6-9 – And Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes [7] and said to all the congregation of the people of Israel, "The land, which we passed through to spy it out, is an exceedingly good land. [8] If the Lord delights in us, he will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land that flows with milk and honey. [9] Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us. Their protection is removed from them, and the Lord is with us; do not fear them." Are you becoming more familiar with the limits that your ministry situation places upon you, and therefore, are you getting a better sense of how managing projects can better enhance your own personal ministry and mission?

A. Become aware of the limits, constraints, and boundaries of your own ministry situation.

1. How do time constraints affect you in your ministry situation?

2. What is the nature of the resource limitations you currently face, and how should this affect your vision of what you want to do?