Dimension One: Base of Operation Ministries And Dimension Two: Target Group Ministries Compared and Contrasted

When you think about how to create a ministry friendly environment think of the contrast between base ministries and target ministries. The consumer church turns target ministries into base and it quickly begins to limit it's ministry and effectiveness.

There are just two comparisons:

Both are part of the same church. They are interdependent parts of the larger whole.
Both have leaders are accountable to church leadership if moral or doctrinal issues arise in their ministries.

Here are ten contrasts:

1. The ministries in the Base of Operation are determined by the staff and are staff led, (or led by someone recruited by the staff).
Target Groups are determined by the ministry passions of the lay people and are lay led.
2. The Base of Operation is more organizational, if a Home Base leader leaves the
church will replace him or her.
Target Groups are organic, if a Target Group leader leaves and no takes their
place, the ministry will be allowed to die.
3. The Base of Operation is the church’s “place to stand”
Target Groups are the church’s place to “move the world”
4. The ministries at the Base of Operation have a lot less freedom to fail
Failure in the Target Groups is not a problem, (in fact it should be celebrated).
5. The number of Base of Operation ministries is limited by the number of people a
church is willing to hire and/or recruit.
The number of Target Group ministries has no limits; there are Target Group
possibilities with both Need Groups and Affinity Groups, (there over a 100
groups potential Need and Affinity Groups see unleashingthechurch.com)
6. The Base of Operation is largely tied to the church’s facilities
Target Groups may or may not use the church’s facilities
7. The Base of Operation is financed out of the church’s budget
Target Groups are positioned to tap into funds that normally go to community
charities. Target Group should not expect funding through their church budget.
8. The Base of Operation is legally tied to the church’s corporation papers.
Target Groups may or may not have additional non-profit corporations.
9. The ministry at the Base of Operation is determined by the expectations that
Americans have when attending a church, it is designed for consumers.
Target Group ministries are determined by the “ministry callings” of the church’s
pew people, and is focused on both Need and Affinity Groups
10. The Base of Operation is much more stable and predictable
Target Groups are both flexible and potentially volatile.