12 Expectations of Board Members
We just held our annual church board elections and will have our first meeting in a couple weeks. Below are my 12 expectations of church board members that I will share in their orientation. These are just my talking points.
1. Enjoy serving on the board
Serving on the board is a special privilege that few get to experience.
You are here because you have the gift of leadership.
I personally love board meetings. To be in a room full of leaders dreaming and praying about the future is exhilarating.
2. Think BIG Picture
We stay on conceptual and big picture thinking
Do not worry about details in our meeting…that’s the role of committees and staff.
We focus on the “What” and the “Why” not the “How”
3. Seek and Maintain Unity
We can disagree and be still be united
We don’t all have to vote the same way but when the meeting is over we are all on the same page in unity.
5 areas we don’t compromise: Theology, Relationally, Practically, Missionally, Organizationally
4. Be both a thermostat and a thermometer
A thermometer tells you the spiritual temperature: You need to be connected and informed enough to tell me what the spiritual temperature of our church is.
A thermostat sets the spiritual temperature. You need to be a godly leader who can set the spiritual temperature in our church.
To do this you must be involved in the things we are calling our people to be involved in.
We need your business sense and your ministry experience, but more than anything we need leaders who are making a concerted effort to be more like Jesus every day
5. Embrace tension
You won’t get your way in every conversation.
You won’t be happy about everything and you won’t make everyone happy.
Not everything is a problem to be solved. Many things are simply tensions that need to managed. Leaders must know the difference.
6. Be present:
We need 9 for a quorum.
Acceptable Skips: Work, travel, sickness and important family events.
If possible, please communicate several days in advance if you cannot attend. The worst is getting a text a hour before the meeting that you can’t attend.
When you miss know that it’s nearly impossible to recap for you the conversations and the spirit of the meeting.
7. Participate:
You are A voice. You are not THE voice.
Board meetings are not meant to be a rubber stamp of my ideas.
Don’t speak unless you can add to the silence.
Don’t talk too much or too little. I’ll be glad to let you know which you are guilty of.
8. Speak Grace and truth
Grace: be kind as you speak.
Truth: be honest as you speak.
9. You can dream here
We love to risk and dream of new ideas.
10. Faithfully give
Leaders that don’t tithe should not be making financial decisions for those that do.
Good leaders are models of generosity.
11. You are vision casters
Be informed of the vision (which is why your attendance matters).
Be cheerleaders of the vision. Share it in your circles of influence.
12. Protect your witness
There are things that compromise your witness.
We will talk about anything that may or may not arise.
I am a safe person to share your struggles with.
Should a pastor be on the church board? No.
