Comments on: Changing the System

By: Susan Wilson

Susan Wilson — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 18:33:04 +0000

Hmmm…, to me it sounds more like the Administrators are attempting to take over the choir’s funds for non-choir use?? The “story I tell myself”, (Definitely a “Power Play”), is based on the input above where the submitter indicated they were “denied” & the reason was, “inappropriate” use of funds. And now the denied group is making a power play to take over the funds of the group that denied them. So…, I wouldn’t be so quick to support either entity, without facts. But I do agree that bringing in a larger group within the church or better yet a group of church members that are neither Admin, Choir nor associated with either should hear & “make” the decision to maintain separate funding or to assimilate it into one.

By: Mary K Parker

Mary K Parker — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 14:58:25 +0000

I have a wonderful quote that I see every day (I don’t remember where I got it from, probably one of my military blogs I follow):

“You have to work with what you are given, which includes the equipment, people, and existing rules of whatever organization you work for. If you want to change it, it’s going to take time, and you have to play the long game every day.”

By: Alta E.

Alta E. — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 14:26:27 +0000

Now if only this could be required reading- transmitted into the brains of all those “change agents” and “new sheriffs” out there. There are reasons why things are the way they are. That doesn’t mean things shouldn’t be examined and changed if they are no longer appropriate. But how about not doing it willy nilly and then wondering why things are even more messed up.

By: Don Booz

Don Booz — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 11:48:11 +0000

Ah, the “sacred cow fund” that cannot be touched expect by God. There is no simple solution and perhaps no solution to the structural decision making process. This is about “power” in the church and one of the hardest “nuts” to crack. But the camel’s nose is in the tent and it is time to deal with the issue by appealing to the “wider” ministry of the church. Times have probably changed since the fund was created. Yet the “sacred cow fund” continues to function using the same criteria for its purpose. It will require a very tactful and deliberate approach. One possible approach is to look at how all funds are administered in the church. And then write a more comprehensive policy for how all church funds are to be administered and by whom. However, I suspect the “sacred cow fund” is used for special purposes by the choir and only for the choir. Therefore, it is a lose/lose situation and you will need to “count the cost” for even suggesting a change in policy. Unless the advisory council can create a “higher purpose” for the “sacred cow fund”, I cannot imagine the “power” people being willing to change. Bottom line: wait until the “power” people either die or step down from their controlling positions. Good luck!