I’ve said it many times. Building infrastructure is critical to success!

How do you leverage something (healthy culture, good methods, consistent results, etc.) that’s working to fuel growth beyond its current size and impact?

Successfully growing something requires the leadership to develop good systems, processes, and methods and make them known to the entire organization. By “make them known,” I mean they must be easy to access, reference, use, and change or revise over time. This solid infrastructure can then be leveraged to increase growth and impact.

Systems, Processes, and Methods

An organization can be boiled down to hundreds of individual and interdependent processes. Staff decide on the best method to do something and then document it in a format that ensures the agreed-upon method is followed every time.

I know this sounds simple, but it never is in the trenches day-to-day. After years of executive leadership and, more recently, coaching executive pastors and other church administrators, I believe most feel this is too much work. Or they can see “some value” in it but don’t see it as critical; it’s not a “must do!”

Staff leaders continue to wonder why things don't work as they should, never concluding that they have yet to establish and document how they want something to happen.

An organization's ability to grow is determined by its ability to develop infrastructure.

To grow, a leader must get very good at identifying, developing, training, and deploying people.

A solid infrastructure enables this to happen quickly and efficiently. 

Organizations that get this concept will grow the strongest and the fastest!

OK. Hopefully, by now, you understand the importance of infrastructure.

What do I mean by "developing infrastructure?"

Infrastructure is defined as …

The underlying framework and systems that enable an organization to function efficiently, effectively, and sustainably. It includes both tangible and intangible elements, each playing a critical role in the overall success of the organization. A strong infrastructure is the result of planning for, investing in, and maintaining these components.

What are the key components of a solid infrastructure?

I like to divide them into 6 main areas …

1. Physical Infrastructure – Facilities, Equipment, and Technology

2. Information Technology (IT) Infrastructure – Hardware, Software, Networks, and Data Management Systems

3. Human Resources – Staff and Volunteers

4. Financial Infrastructure – Financial Systems, Budgeting, Investment Strategies, and Accountability

5. Communication Systems – E-Mail, Phone, and Collaboration Tools

6. Regulatory Compliance and Governance – Church Doctrine, Legal Requirements, Mandatory Reporter Status, and Environmental Compliance

Coaching

How would you say you’re doing in this area?

The staff person most directly responsible for building infrastructure is the executive pastor.

For years I’ve coached executive pastors and other church administrators in the areas of leadership and infrastructure development. I work with them to help them evaluate their ministries and the degree to which they are “operationally ready” for growth and increased impact.

Are you interested in working with a coach? Contact me and we’ll talk about it.

The Many Roles of the Executive Pastor

Among other things, the executive pastor is the Infrastructure Champion. I recently produced a video course that covers The Many Roles of the Executive Pastor. In the course, I get into the specifics of each role, including that of Infrastructure Champion.

There are more than 2 hours of video content and lots of downloadable resources.

And I’ve recently reduced the price! Check it out HERE.