Should Pastors Read Business Books?

Managerialism's impact on the local church

I wrote this article (hopefully) to help pastors figure out how and when to consult business books. But it is also a confession. There have been periods in my pastoral work where I have spent way too much time studying organizational leadership, thinking (mistakenly) that my church’s main problem was organizational rather than spiritual in nature.

• Is organizational structure essential to consider when leading a church?

• When you consider your church’s long-term growth and health, where will you focus your labors?

• Is there a place for managerial skill in the life of the pastor?

• In what ways do church members expect and want pastors to fulfill managerial roles?

I answer these questions and more in this week’s article.