Comments for ChurchBoardChair.ca

Comment on 8. Carver, Governance, Policy and Local Church Governance – Are they Compatible? by Dr. Larry Perkins

Dr. Larry Perkins — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 17:17:33 +0000

Hi Tom:
I was checking through comments to theis website as I ended the year and noted that I had not responded to your question. My apologies.

1. By all means the ideas that Carver presents about governance can be and probably should be modified as they are applied to board work within congregations. This is particularly the case for smaller church boards which have to carry some management functions. However, the key ideas, i.e. key board work is advancement of the mission, development and use of policies to guide board work and operations, accountability of the key pastoral leader to the board for congregational operations, and evaluation of leadership and programs, remain in my view signficant and important advances that Carver has identified re non-profit board operations.
2. I think the resolution to your question lies in discerning that elders who form church boards wear two hats. In the one case they are board members responsible to provide through policy and other means strategic, spiritual leadership for the congregation, in a manner consistent with their mandate as the church board defined in the congregation’s bylaws. In the other case they are elders responsible for the spiritual life and health of the congregation expressed in specific ministries as you have defined. In this case, I would suggest, they function as part of the lead pastor’s ministry team, working with him to implement ministry activity within the congregation. So in the first case they are looking at the big picture, i.e. how to advance the mission of the congregation. In the second case they are immersed in specific ministry responsibilities that any elder scripturally is responsible to accomplish. One of these ministries is to serve as board member. Keeping these two elder roles distinct, i.e. board member and ministry provider, requires discernment and intentionality.

Trust this helps.
Larry Perkins

Comment on 8. Carver, Governance, Policy and Local Church Governance – Are they Compatible? by Tom Thornton

Tom Thornton — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 02:35:22 +0000

Since Policy Governance is a unique technique to delegate responsibilities to the organization, some may believe that it needs to be modified for a church. Elders are chosen for their character qualities to perform specific responsibilities as outlined in scripture,e.g.,praying for the sick. Some elders may believe that because of their character qualities, these cannot be delegated to non-elders. Does Policy Governance allow for this in a way that does not erode holding the CEO accountable?

Comment on Church Board Chair – Workshop 2 by Dr. Larry Perkins

Dr. Larry Perkins — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 05:15:24 +0000

Hi Margo.
Thank you for your response. Several suggestions you might consider.
1. On this website I provide several reviews of books that are helpful guides for people serving on church boards. You might order one of these and use it as a resource to help you develop your understanding.
2. I am not aware of any specific videos regarding these principles, other than what I have posted on this website. Click on the “videos” heading and this will take to several that might be helpful. Please feel free to use them within your board.

Blessings in your board experience.
Larry Perkins, Ph.D.

Comment on Church Board Chair – Workshop 2 by MARGO GREEN

MARGO GREEN — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 16:45:43 +0000

Hi my name is sister Margo Green is would like to no more information on this subjust
i just became a part of a church board in i would like to no how it should run.
I also would like to no can i git a video for church to see.

Comment on 4. Relationships are Everything by fred

fred — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 17:49:20 +0000

excellent article – makes us wonder why church board is so susceptible to conflict amongst members and other church staff; but the suggested solutions are worth trying.

fred

Comment on 26. The Chair and New Board Member Orientation by Dr. Larry Perkins

Dr. Larry Perkins — Tue, 11 May 2010 04:02:27 +0000

Thanks, Loren, for sharing some aspects of the process you follow in your congregational setting. Obviously this process is both one of discernment as to a person’s suitability for the role of elder, as well as orientation to the such a person’s role as a member of the church board.
As you have defined it, the discernment process seems to be linked with the orientation and continues over several months. How long on average does this take? Do you do anything specific to help such people “orient” themselves to the discerning process and debrief them on the activities of the board?
How does the congregation gain discernment through this process? What do they observe that specifically helps them to make a decision?

So the question I think you surface is this: How much orientation to the role of board member (including whatever other responsibilities such a role carries, such as elder) should occur before the person decides to let his name stand for such a discernment process? What aspects of orientation should be left until the discernment process is completed?

Comment on 26. The Chair and New Board Member Orientation by Loren

Loren — Mon, 10 May 2010 16:22:21 +0000

At our church we believe that the opportunity to serve as a church elder is more than just filling a “board position” but rather a fulfillment of a calling. We try to pay carefull attention to what the Scriptures inform us are the role, responsibility and requirements of New Testament church leadership – specifically as it relates to elders. What we typically do is to take candidate elders through a formal orientation during which time (among other things) we do the following:
1. Study the book “Biblical Eldership” by Alexander Strauch and a number of relevant Scriptures together. This study addresses many issues of which elders need to be aware.
2. Study the book “Spiritual Leadership” by Oswald Sanders together. This study lays some solid groundwork for understanding leadership in the context of God’s kingdom values.
3. Have the candidate elders attend Elder Council meetings for several months prior to final discernment (on both parts – congregation and candidate). This gives opportunity to evaluate giftedness, calling, desire and preparedness.
4. Pray together.

Comment on Questions about church boards you would like explored. by Dr. Larry Perkins

Dr. Larry Perkins — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 05:43:27 +0000

Thank you for your question, Loren. The issue raised is complex, but I would offer the following perspectives:

1. It is possible to consider the “church board” a ministry team comprising spiritually mature people, i.e. elders, whose primary responsibility is to ensure that the church’s mission is being accomplished. To the extent that this mission is carried forward by leading, feeding, teaching, serving and directing, this continues to be the primary work of the elders/board. The board cannot divest itself of this fundamental responsibility.
2. One might ask how a church board leads, feeds, teaches, etc. the congregation through its work as a board? By the decisions it takes for the advance of the mission and the care of the congregation, the board leads. In communicating its reasons for making such decisions to the congregation, the board teaches. When the board develops a policy that guides some aspect of the spiritual life of the congregation, it must present that to the congregation and explain what it means and why it is important. This is a teaching function. As the board ensures good policies, good leadership, good facilities, sufficient resources, and ongoing accountability, it serves the congregation and honours the trust given to it.
3. Usually several of the pastoral staff also serve as part of the elders/church board. Senior and associate pastors often fill this role. If they respect the spiritual leadership the board is mandated to provide for the church, then these teaching elders will be seeking the guidance of the elders group as to what should be preached and how the spiritual health of the church might be nurtured through this teaching ministry. They should be seen as teaching on behalf of the elders, not as singular, autonomous agents.
4. It is entirely appropriate for an elder to exercise leadership responsibility in the church as part of an elder’s spiritual oversight. However, in doing so I think it is important for that elder to view that ministry as accountable to the lead pastor, not the elders group directly. I am sure most pastors would be delighted if an elder volunteered to help in visitation, in discipleship, in mentoring emerging leaders.
5. Carrying forward the vision of the church is a significant responsibility that the elders/board must engage. It requires this group to be thinking “forward” and actively considering how the church will address emerging challenges and increase its kingdom impact. As it engages such discussions, the board is doing spiritual work, keeping the church oriented to the Great Commission.
6. Practically speaking the elders will find an annual retreat a rewarding opportunity to involve themselves deeply in the spiritual oversight of the congregation.

Comment on Questions about church boards you would like explored. by Loren

Loren — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 17:59:13 +0000

From the perspective of a church board chairman, here is a question I would like explored: “Is is possible for today’s ‘church board’ and ‘multi-pastoral staff’ structures to line up with the New Testament description and example of leadership by elders in the local church?”
The various New Testament passages that address or describe elders or that describe the qualifications of elders and overseers seem to point to the same group of men – referred to most commonly as elders. Whether one reads Paul’s or Peter’s or James’ letters or Luke’s description of the early Church there seems to be a common understanding that under the Headship of Christ the local church is led, fed, taught, served and “directed” by a body of elders. In today’s world where churches become government approved societies with boards and directors reporting back to the government and where boards are required to be distinct from “pastoral” staff, is there any way for local churches to establish a model of ‘governance’ that more closely resembles what we see in the New Testament?