A  The Biotic Principle of Functionality

The sixth biotic or life principle is called functionality.  This principle asks us to evaluate our programs, activities and initiatives in light of their intended purpose and overall contribution to the whole.  Functionality, therefore, is an issue of organizational integrity.  The dictionary definition to which I refer is, “the quality or state of being complete or undivided.” “To form or blend into a whole.”  Church organizational integrity demands that all programs, activities and initiatives fit together in an appropriate manner connected in such a way as to make a cohesive unit, all parts working together toward a common goal.

Too often church programs compete with one another rather than complement each other.  There can be competition for time on the calendar, space in the building, money from the budget, and personnel to make them happen

Let me propose a few questions that may help evaluate our actions in light of functionality.

Question 1:  How does the program, activity or initiative fit within the context of the mission or vision of the church?  Assuming that a church has crafted a workable and understandable mission statement, what does the program, activity or initiative do to further the mission?  Does it exist merely because of tradition, because it seemed like a good idea, because another church did it, because of denominational pressure, etc.  Or, does it truly contribute to the mission of the church?

Question 2: What is the purpose for the activity?  Every program, activity and initiative should have a designated purpose.  Is the purpose worship, fellowship, discipleship, evangelism, team-building, education, vision casting, planning, and visibility in the community, to clean the church?   Whatever the purpose it must be clearly articulated so evaluation is possible.

Question 3: Did the activity fulfill the intended purpose?  Often activities are evaluated by the number of participants rather than the prescribed purpose, and more often not evaluated at all.  Functionality asks us if we accomplished what we set out to accomplish.  And did the activity fit within the context of our vision or mission?  For example, if the purpose of a program is discipleship, the question to ask at its completion is how many were discipled, not how many participated.  It is possible that many participated but were not discipled at all.  It is also possible that few participated but were truly discipled.

The principle of functionality is equated with the biblical concept of fruit-bearing.  Jesus said, “So every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit….Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” (Matthew 7:17, 19)  Christian Schwarz said,” Both in the literal and the figurative sense, all of nature is designed to bear fruit. Where no fruit appears, something is wrong.” (Schwarz, 77)  We must be willing to evaluate the fruitfulness of our programs activities and initiatives and make the necessary changes so we can bear fruit in every good work.