Mission Drift: The Unspoken Crisis Facing Leaders, Charities, and Churches
A Christianity Today 2015 Book Award Winner

Is your organization in danger of Mission Drift?

Without careful attention, faith-based organizations drift from their founding mission.

It's that simple. It will happen.

Slowly, silently, and with little fanfare, organizations routinely drift from their purpose, and many never return to their original intent. Harvard and the YMCA are among those that no longer embrace the Christian principles on which they were founded. But they didn't drift off course overnight. Drift often happens in small and subtle ways. Left unchecked, it eventually becomes significant.

Yet Mission Drift is not inevitable. Organizations such as Compassion International and InterVarsity have exhibited intentional, long-term commitment to Christ.

Why do so many organizations--including churches--wander from their mission, while others remain Mission True? Can drift be prevented? In Mission Drift, HOPE International executives Peter Greer and Chris Horst tackle these questions. They show how to determine whether your organization is in danger of drift, and they share the results of their research into Mission True and Mission Untrue organizations. Even if your organization is Mission True now, it's wise to look for ways to inoculate yourself against drift. You'll discover what you can do to prevent drift or get back on track and how to protect what matters most.

"No organization is exempt from the danger of drifting away from its original mission. In Mission Drift, Peter and Chris provide solid guidance for remaining laser-focused on core values--from the board level to daily organizational culture. This book is a timely message for any organization working hard to remain Mission True." --Wess Stafford, president-emeritus, Compassion International

"Peter Greer and Chris Horst have identified one of the deepest challenges any leader faces: how to ensure that an organization stays true to its mission, especially when that mission becomes countercultural." --Andy Crouch, executive editor, Christianity Today

"Essential reading for twenty-first-century believers if we are to gain new vision, unity, and strength. Mission Drift is spine straightening, mind clearing, and courage inspiring. This book is true-north wisdom for leaders--and a gift of hope for the world God loves." --Kelly Monroe Kullberg, founder, The Veritas Forum and author, Finding God Beyond Harvard

"Many of us in leadership have learned--often painfully--that our mission needs to be built into every aspect of our organization, from leadership to receptionist, from hiring to implementation. We can't afford not to follow the lessons in this valuable book." --Richard Stearns, president, World Vision U.S. and author, The Hole in Our Gospel

"Keeping an eternal perspective is essential in our work. Mission Drift gives a clear message inspiring and challenging us to intentionally keep Christ at the center of all efforts." --David Green, founder and CEO, Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc.

"Written with clarity, boldness, and urgency, the authors provide insight into and examples of the causes and solutions to drift using the stories of real organizations...A must-read! Recommend this book to every business and church leader."--CBA Retailers+Resources

"This book is a must-read for leaders, easy to read, practical, engaging and inspirational. The principals outlined not only apply to major corporations, but also to any organization, church and even to one's own personal life. Mission Drift . . . will be well worth the effort and time, and you will find yourself wanting to begin implementing what you've learned to safeguard your organization from drifting away from its mission."--Foursquare.org
1115664268
Mission Drift: The Unspoken Crisis Facing Leaders, Charities, and Churches
A Christianity Today 2015 Book Award Winner

Is your organization in danger of Mission Drift?

Without careful attention, faith-based organizations drift from their founding mission.

It's that simple. It will happen.

Slowly, silently, and with little fanfare, organizations routinely drift from their purpose, and many never return to their original intent. Harvard and the YMCA are among those that no longer embrace the Christian principles on which they were founded. But they didn't drift off course overnight. Drift often happens in small and subtle ways. Left unchecked, it eventually becomes significant.

Yet Mission Drift is not inevitable. Organizations such as Compassion International and InterVarsity have exhibited intentional, long-term commitment to Christ.

Why do so many organizations--including churches--wander from their mission, while others remain Mission True? Can drift be prevented? In Mission Drift, HOPE International executives Peter Greer and Chris Horst tackle these questions. They show how to determine whether your organization is in danger of drift, and they share the results of their research into Mission True and Mission Untrue organizations. Even if your organization is Mission True now, it's wise to look for ways to inoculate yourself against drift. You'll discover what you can do to prevent drift or get back on track and how to protect what matters most.

"No organization is exempt from the danger of drifting away from its original mission. In Mission Drift, Peter and Chris provide solid guidance for remaining laser-focused on core values--from the board level to daily organizational culture. This book is a timely message for any organization working hard to remain Mission True." --Wess Stafford, president-emeritus, Compassion International

"Peter Greer and Chris Horst have identified one of the deepest challenges any leader faces: how to ensure that an organization stays true to its mission, especially when that mission becomes countercultural." --Andy Crouch, executive editor, Christianity Today

"Essential reading for twenty-first-century believers if we are to gain new vision, unity, and strength. Mission Drift is spine straightening, mind clearing, and courage inspiring. This book is true-north wisdom for leaders--and a gift of hope for the world God loves." --Kelly Monroe Kullberg, founder, The Veritas Forum and author, Finding God Beyond Harvard

"Many of us in leadership have learned--often painfully--that our mission needs to be built into every aspect of our organization, from leadership to receptionist, from hiring to implementation. We can't afford not to follow the lessons in this valuable book." --Richard Stearns, president, World Vision U.S. and author, The Hole in Our Gospel

"Keeping an eternal perspective is essential in our work. Mission Drift gives a clear message inspiring and challenging us to intentionally keep Christ at the center of all efforts." --David Green, founder and CEO, Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc.

"Written with clarity, boldness, and urgency, the authors provide insight into and examples of the causes and solutions to drift using the stories of real organizations...A must-read! Recommend this book to every business and church leader."--CBA Retailers+Resources

"This book is a must-read for leaders, easy to read, practical, engaging and inspirational. The principals outlined not only apply to major corporations, but also to any organization, church and even to one's own personal life. Mission Drift . . . will be well worth the effort and time, and you will find yourself wanting to begin implementing what you've learned to safeguard your organization from drifting away from its mission."--Foursquare.org
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Mission Drift: The Unspoken Crisis Facing Leaders, Charities, and Churches

Mission Drift: The Unspoken Crisis Facing Leaders, Charities, and Churches

Mission Drift: The Unspoken Crisis Facing Leaders, Charities, and Churches

Mission Drift: The Unspoken Crisis Facing Leaders, Charities, and Churches

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Overview

A Christianity Today 2015 Book Award Winner

Is your organization in danger of Mission Drift?

Without careful attention, faith-based organizations drift from their founding mission.

It's that simple. It will happen.

Slowly, silently, and with little fanfare, organizations routinely drift from their purpose, and many never return to their original intent. Harvard and the YMCA are among those that no longer embrace the Christian principles on which they were founded. But they didn't drift off course overnight. Drift often happens in small and subtle ways. Left unchecked, it eventually becomes significant.

Yet Mission Drift is not inevitable. Organizations such as Compassion International and InterVarsity have exhibited intentional, long-term commitment to Christ.

Why do so many organizations--including churches--wander from their mission, while others remain Mission True? Can drift be prevented? In Mission Drift, HOPE International executives Peter Greer and Chris Horst tackle these questions. They show how to determine whether your organization is in danger of drift, and they share the results of their research into Mission True and Mission Untrue organizations. Even if your organization is Mission True now, it's wise to look for ways to inoculate yourself against drift. You'll discover what you can do to prevent drift or get back on track and how to protect what matters most.

"No organization is exempt from the danger of drifting away from its original mission. In Mission Drift, Peter and Chris provide solid guidance for remaining laser-focused on core values--from the board level to daily organizational culture. This book is a timely message for any organization working hard to remain Mission True." --Wess Stafford, president-emeritus, Compassion International

"Peter Greer and Chris Horst have identified one of the deepest challenges any leader faces: how to ensure that an organization stays true to its mission, especially when that mission becomes countercultural." --Andy Crouch, executive editor, Christianity Today

"Essential reading for twenty-first-century believers if we are to gain new vision, unity, and strength. Mission Drift is spine straightening, mind clearing, and courage inspiring. This book is true-north wisdom for leaders--and a gift of hope for the world God loves." --Kelly Monroe Kullberg, founder, The Veritas Forum and author, Finding God Beyond Harvard

"Many of us in leadership have learned--often painfully--that our mission needs to be built into every aspect of our organization, from leadership to receptionist, from hiring to implementation. We can't afford not to follow the lessons in this valuable book." --Richard Stearns, president, World Vision U.S. and author, The Hole in Our Gospel

"Keeping an eternal perspective is essential in our work. Mission Drift gives a clear message inspiring and challenging us to intentionally keep Christ at the center of all efforts." --David Green, founder and CEO, Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc.

"Written with clarity, boldness, and urgency, the authors provide insight into and examples of the causes and solutions to drift using the stories of real organizations...A must-read! Recommend this book to every business and church leader."--CBA Retailers+Resources

"This book is a must-read for leaders, easy to read, practical, engaging and inspirational. The principals outlined not only apply to major corporations, but also to any organization, church and even to one's own personal life. Mission Drift . . . will be well worth the effort and time, and you will find yourself wanting to begin implementing what you've learned to safeguard your organization from drifting away from its mission."--Foursquare.org

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781441263438
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Publication date: 02/10/2014
Sold by: Barnes & Noble
Format: eBook
Pages: 224
File size: 3 MB

About the Author

Peter Greer (www.peterkgreer.com) is president and CEO of HOPE International, a global nonprofit focused on addressing both physical and spiritual poverty through microfinance. He has a master's degree in public policy from Harvard's Kennedy School. Peter speaks regularly to large audiences, including at conferences like Catalyst and Passion. Peter lives with his wife and three children in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Chris Horst is the director of development at HOPE International, where he works and writes at the intersection of entrepreneurship, work, and the Gospel. Chris has been published regularly in Christianity Today and has a forthcoming book on entrepreneurship and human flourishing. He serves on the boards of the Denver Institute for Faith & Work and the Colorado Microfinance Alliance. Chris graduated from Taylor University with a business degree and has his MBA from Bakke Graduate University. He lives in Denver, Colorado, with his wife, Alli, and son, Desmond. Chris blogs at www.smorgasblurb.com.

Anna Haggard is the executive writing assistant at HOPE International, where she collaborates with the president and CEO and the marketing department to share HOPE's message through print and social media and coauthored The Spiritual Danger of Doing Good. Anna is a graduate of Asbury University and lives in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Peter Greer (www.peterkgreer.com) is president and CEO of HOPE International, a global nonprofit focused on addressing both physical and spiritual poverty through microfinance. He has a master's degree in public policy from Harvard's Kennedy School. Peter is the coauthor of The Spiritual Danger of Doing Good, Mission Drift, and six other books. He speaks at conferences, including Catalyst and Passion, and has been featured by media outlets such as CNN, Christianity Today, and World. Peter lives in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, with his wife, Laurel, and three children.
Chris Horst (www.smorgasblurb.com) is the director of development at HOPE International, where he works and writes at the intersection of entrepreneurship, work, and the Gospel. Chris has been published regularly in Christianity Today and has a forthcoming book on entrepreneurship and human flourishing. He serves on the boards of the Denver Institute for Faith & Work and the Colorado Microfinance Alliance. Chris graduated from Taylor University with a business degree and has his MBA from Bakke Graduate University. He lives in Denver, Colorado, with his wife, Alli, and son, Desmond.
Anna Haggard is the executive writing assistant at HOPE International, where she collaborates with the president and CEO and the marketing department to share HOPE's message through print and social media. She coauthored The Spiritual Danger of Doing Good with Peter Greer. Anna is a graduate of Asbury University and lives in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Table of Contents

Foreword Andy Crouch 11

1 The Unspoken Crisis 15

Mission Drift is a crisis facing all faith-based organizations

2 The Tale of Two Presbyterian Ministers 23

Mission Drift is pervasive, but it is not inevitable

3 Functional Atheism 33

Mission True organizations believe the Gospel is their most precious asset

4 Death by Minnows 44

Mission True organizations make hard decisions to protect and propel their mission

5 The Secret Recipe to Quaker Oats 56

Mission True leaders assume they will face drift and build safeguards against it

6 You Know Why You Exist 67

Mission True organizations have clarity about their mission

7 Guardians of the Mission 78

Mission True board members understand their top priority

8 True Leadership 89

Mission True leaders set the cultural tone for the organization

9 Impressive Credentials Are Not Enough 98

Mission True organizations hire first and foremost for heart and character

10 Follow the Money 110

Mission True organizations partner with donors who believe in their full mission

11 Measuring What Matters 124

Mission True organizations track, metrics reflective of their full mission

12 Etched in Excellence 137

Mission True organizations understand the Gospel demands excellence in their work

13 Culture Eats Strategy for Breakfast 148

Mission True organizations are fanatics about rituals and practices

14 The Language of the Chameleon Club 160

Mission True organizations boldly proclaim their core tenets to protect themselves from drift

15 Save the Church 167

Mission True organizations recognize that the local church is the anchor to a thriving mission

Conclusion 179

Review Questions 182

Acknowledgments 189

Appendix 1 Board of Directors Prospective Board Member Nomination Form 192

Appendix 2 Primacy of Proclamation Board Resolution 196

Appendix 3 Family Giving Charter 197

Methodology for Mission Drift Research 199

Notes 200

Further Reading on the Topic of Mission Drift 216

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