Political Perspective

The political perspective focuses on getting people on board with a person or plan so you can vote that person or plan into action.  Once voted in, people are taxed, under penalty of law, to support the person’s salary and the plan’s funding.  The length of the tenure is based upon the applicable laws, so the person stays in office and the plan stays in place until the law provides for a change.  Taxes continue for the funding until the law provides for a change as well.

Non-Profit Organization Perspective

The church is seen and run as a non-profit organization more than any other approach or structure in the United States.  This is because many churches choose to become a 501c3 non-profit organization to gain some governmental, business, and other organizational benefits.  The organization structure has a board of directors who set the vision for the organization. While there are tax benefits to being not-for-profit, the organization still needs funding to accomplish its board-directed mission and/or vision.  Organizations, then, seek sources of funding.  They may do this by directly approaching individuals, putting together funding campaigns, and/or having fundraising events.  Money from these campaigns and events, then, underwrite the mission and vision.  To the extent that the funding does not come in, the vision does not get accomplished.

Biblical Perspective

This perspective is focused on understanding what God is doing by looking at what God has done in the past.  Since we are a part of God’s Church, this perspective, of course, gives us the insight we need for moving forward.

Dollars and Sense

Many years ago, Life Bridge used to have an offering video series entitled “Cent Sense.”  The purpose of the series was to help people look at work, finances, and stewardship through God’s eyes.  Our perspective on work and money is usually more influenced by the world than it is by God.  So, the series was created to help us, as individuals, grow in our walk together with God in this area.

The Twelve Teams of Life Bridge (Part 4)

We’ve been examining twelve teams that we are putting in place at Life Bridge.  We’re putting these teams together to build a solid foundation and process for empowering one million to walk together with God.

It’s About Teams

Many of the stories we find in the New Testament don’t get much recognition.  Preachers don’t often center their sermons around them.  People find themselves skimming over them.  These stories are about the “behind the scenes” work that takes place in order for God’s will to be done here on earth as it is in heaven.  Everyone calls attention to the Last Supper, for example.  Not nearly as many people pay attention to the dinner planners, cooks, and waiters who were involved.

Broken Whiteboard

I was working with the Encounter God team last week when I moved the whiteboard from the corner of the room, where it was stored, to a spot closer to the team.  The whiteboard was specially homemade for me as I discussed in an earlier post.  The glass facing made it perfect for writing and erasing, because the glass just wiped clean.  Some of you are noticing that I said “wiped” in the past tense and your are anticipating my next sentence.  I dropped the whiteboard.  It landed face down and caught the corner of a speaker on the way.  The glass shattered.  We spent most of our team meeting time cleaning up shards of glass.