In our enlightened age of metadata and best practices, we believe that ministry—like everything else—can be accomplished through proven principles of control. I call this sub-spiritual, mechanical approach to ministry “Church, Inc.” It is shorthand for ministry devoid of mystery, for pastors who assume that the exercise of their calling is a matter of skill more than the gravity of their soul. It represents the exchange of the transcendent calling of Christian ministry with mere management of religious institutions and services.
