Robert Talbert, Associate Professor of Mathematics at Grand Valley State University, recently blogged about the difference between renting and owning. After sharing his own experiences with home ownership and rental, he applies the principle to education suggesting that we all want students to own rather than rent their education. He explains the different approaches thusly:
The rental mindset says, I am paying the rent, and as long as I pay, I expect the management to take care of my needs. The ownership mindset says, on the other hand, I am invested in this, and although some things are not my responsibility . . . I choose to take responsibility for myself because it matters to me.
So What?
Talbert’s words can be applied to ministry as easily as education. Ministry leaders should likewise want all participants to embrace an ownership mindset.
- What are some attributes of the rental mindset within the context of your local congregation? of the ownership mindset?
- What percentage of participants in your local congregation would you place in each category? How intentional are congregational leaders, especially pastoral leaders, about crafting an ownership culture?
- What are the long-term benefits of an ownership congregation for individual participants? for the congregation?