WHAT IF?

Let’s say that we are going to redevelop the church campus from head to toe.  Let’s say that you are on the committee to plan that.  In our Presbyterian system most rank and file members of the committee say, “We’ll simply recommend something to the session and the final responsibility will be theirs.”  But what if we said going into it, to that committee making the plan, “and we will do what you say.”  Period.  The church will do what you say.  We’re not going to put it to a vote.  We will do what you say.

My question is how do the dynamics of work in the committee change because of the responsibility bequeathed?  That this isn’t going to be about study alone, about hypotheticals, about recommendations where someone else has the real authority and responsibility?  This is about real action, results people will live with.  Let’s also put the committee members’ names on a plaque on the property when it is all said and done. 

If you’re like me, you can already feel a seriousness enter the equation.  We might imagine a few people saying,  “This isn’t for me,” and resigning.  It might protract decision making if the people involved fear being criticized by the church members for the final decision.  They might look for a fail-proof decision.  (This reminds me of two important maxims .  If a job is not worth doing, it is not worth doing right.  And, If a job is worth doing, it is worth doing not right.  The second is for the perfectionists of the world who don’t act because they are in pursuit of perfection.  Ten decisions at 80% good equals 800 points, let’s say.  One decision at 99%, knowing that we will never make 100%, equals 99 points.  And both took the same amount of time.  800 points to 99.) 

We can take some pain out of the process if we assure the committee members of our up front decision to support their decision. 

I submit that authority and responsibility and action combine for the best learning and best decisions.  Try it with your kids – we have $500 and 5 days for vacation.  We will do what you research and then decide.  Let’s have a decision in two weeks.  Try it with your employees.  Try it with your students.  Try it with your church committees.