Letter from Peter F. Drucker to Robert P. Buford discussing the organization and mission of large Evangelical churches. In this letter Drucker, summarizes the essence of the meeting he had with Bob Buford and his thoughts on the evangelical presence in society. Drucker emphasizes how evangelical churches are pastoral, serving the individual, while at the same time maintaining bureaucratic organization. He sees the need for evangelical institutions to develop teams, develop the person, and develop succession. He proceeds to detail several missions for success, stating that the evangelical churches will need to be helped to perpetuate their strengths, their personal leadership, personal commitments, immediacy, and concern with the individual in need. Alongside these concerns, they will need to develop systems that give them cohesion, teamwork, and the capacity to perpetuate themselves so that they are not relying on one person. Over the long term, Drucker foresees the conversion of the lessons from these developments into course materials and lessons for other small churches, and the development of alumni feedback networks. Lastly, Drucker emphasizes Buford's ideal primary role as a personal one, stressing his relationship to the people in addition to his role as a maker of policy.
Drucker, Peter F. (Peter Ferdinand), 1909-2005 Pasadena (Calif.) Evangelicalism Estes Park (Colo.) Drucker, Doris Buford, Robert P. (Robert Pegram), 1925- Buford Television
Place
Claremont (Calif.)
Source
Original letter, September 22, 1986: Drucker Archives; Box 7A, Folder 5; 12 pages
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