In the first part of the interview, we got the clear impression that Grytten is concerned about how Christian organizations are treated in Norwegian society. He seems to be at least as concerned about good and sustainable financial management, and we ask what he can say about the way BCC has organized its finances and organization.
A well thought-out organization
Grytten explains:
– Brunstad Christian Church has come further than most organizations and faith communities in planning its finances, with a strong focus on transparency, documentation, honesty, sustainability and growth. The organization is well thought out and adapted to its objectives. There has been little reliance on public funding, but to a large extent on donations, self-payment and work input from members. So, a word of warning: if the latter were to disappear or diminish, the organization might struggle. It is therefore important to safeguard the members’ interests and avoid excessive “burden of duty”.
He also points to another phenomenon that BCC has had some experience with: campaigns to target the church.
– BCC could also struggle if there were to be new media campaigns against the church’s activities. In such contexts, we know from experience that it is of little help if BCC has most or all of the facts in place and can refute factual errors.
Suitability for office and sustainable trust are crucial.
When we ask if there is anything else he would like to comment on in this case, Grytten points to BCC’s transparency and openness about finances.
– I think I know BCC and its financial arrangements better than most other outsiders. As a Christian, I find that BCC has a strong focus on compliance, which I think is great. I also see that they succeed in a lot of things. I have rarely experienced a context where people have been so concerned about doing things right when it comes to finances.
At the same time, he reminds us of something that all organizations need to be aware of:
– You can never fully guarantee against someone making mistakes or exploiting the organization and its members financially or in other ways, not even within BCC. This will be the case in any organization. It is important to realize that systems in themselves are not sufficient to prevent financial fraud, misconduct or unjust enrichment at others’ expense. It is therefore important to emphasize suitability for office in the organization and sustainable trust.
The most important thing: Carrying out Jesus’ Great Commission
The motivation for building financial muscle has been to ensure that we will continue to be able to carry out the Great Commission in the future as Jesus asked Christians to do, and as set out in the BCC Federation’s objectives. And this, Grytten points out, is crucial to staying focused:
– BCC has good and sustainable plans for the future. But finances, the conference center, organization and work must never take the focus away from the most important things: To build the Kingdom of God and fulfill Jesus’ own command in Matthew 28:18-20.
Facts about Ola H. Grytten
- Professor in economics, specializing in economic history
- PhD from the Norwegian School of Economics, where he was appointed Associate Professor in 1994 and Professor in 1999
- Has worked as a special advisor and special investigator for the Norwegian central bank (Norges Bank)
- Has been visiting researcher at universities and institutions in the Netherlands, Canada, UK, Asia and Eastern Europe
- Has published a number of research papers in national and international scientific journals
- Author and co-author of approximately 50 books
- His main research areas are macroeconomic time series, as well as macroeconomic and financial history, labor market and entrepreneurship
Source: https://www.nhh.no/en/employees/faculty/ola-honningdal-grytten/
BCC’s objectives are to:
- Promote the Christian faith as expressed in our Statement of Faith among all people and teach them to keep all that Jesus has commanded
- Further the working conditions for Christianity and its standing in society
- Provide children and young people with a positive and healthy Christian environment, and create good working conditions for children and young people’s personal, spiritual, and social development
