Many churches fail to reach their full potential because of a lack of sufficient or workable infrastructure. Infrastructure is not a word used frequently to describe churches. Think we me about the applications. Infrastructure refers to the basic structures and facilities (generally physical or organizational) needed for operation of an enterprise or society. How does the concept apply to organizations such as a church? What does church infrastructure include?
An obvious first thought concerns buildings and facilities. Less frequently in view is the need for organizational structures that enable the church to function effectively. Organizational infrastructure includes such things as clarity of purpose, leadership, organizational relationships (both external and internal), and planning. The results of effective church infrastructure include leadership development, effective teaching programs, member involvement, evangelism, and spiritual growth.
My current work in Latin America is designed to help existing churches build effective infrastructure. The primary focus is on helping churches understand God’s plan for the church and the place and importance of each member. This focus leads to leadership and teacher development with the goal of establishing self-governing congregations. Self-governing congregations have a much greater probability of becoming self-sustaining or self-supporting. Self-governing congregations are also more likely to become self-propagating.
Church infrastructure can refer to buildings and facilities, but churches with effective organization infrastructure can grow and mature without the physical elements of infrastructure. More important in the development of healthy churches is an infrastructure that can assimilate new members and help new converts development faithful spiritual lives. Without this kind of infrastructure, many are baptized but few are taught discipleship and faithful living. Peter’s admonition must come to mind: the latter end of those who begin and then turn back is worse than if they had never begun.
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