Wednesday, March 27, 2019

LESSON 6 – Enhance Harmony by Clarifying Your Participant Hat Expectations

Welcome to Lessons From the Church Boardroom—The Blog, a 40-week journey through the new book, Lessons From the Church Boardroom: 40 Insights for Exceptional Governance, by Dan Busby and John Pearson. Each Wednesday, we'll feature a guest blogger’s favorite snippet from the week's topic. Glenn Wood is our guest blogger this week for the second of three lessons in "Part 2: Boardroom Tools and Templates.”

LESSON 6 OF 40 – Enhance Harmony by Clarifying Your Participant Hat Expectations
Understand the three board hats: Governance, Volunteer, and Participant.

THE BIG IDEA FROM THE BOOK: In Lesson 6, the authors remind board chairs, pastors, and church leaders to clearly communicate our expectations to the board on a regular basis. 

Too often leaders assume that all board members, small group leaders, high capacity volunteers, and staff will all have the same passion. This leads to incorrect assumptions, hurt feelings, and tension that will not enhance church unity—and it won’t help the church in achieving our mission. Leaders must clarify expectations for board service—especially expectations about the “Participant Hat.”

For example, board members may choose not to attend the potluck dinner, volunteer appreciation event, or leader training for a variety of reasons. While we hope board members are all dedicated to the success of the church—they may not prioritize attendance at church functions the same as other leaders—especially if expectations are not communicated in advance.

MY FAVORITE INSIGHTS from Lesson 6, pages 31-35:
I loved these statements:
   • “Guilt and shaming are a poor substitute for clarity and inspiration.” 
   • “Your board members, similar to your volunteers, will respond when you appeal to high ideals, not mixed messages.”

Both are good reminders and offer great motivation for creating an annual affirmation statement. Communication is the key to solid board relations. 

The Church Board Member Annual Affirmation Statement is a helpful tool for guiding the board as it discerns board member attendance requirements at key events in the coming year. This document can also communicate expectations for spouses of board members. 

MY COLOR COMMENTARY:
Often times we see board members just wearing the “Governance Hat” that provides oversight for the church in key areas, such as: legal, HR, compensation, audits, and other areas. But many board members also wear the “Volunteer Hat,” serving as high capacity volunteers, Sunday School teachers, small group leaders, team leaders, and more.

Board members also wear the “Participant Hat” in the life of the church—they are attenders, members, small group members, and participants in church functions and events. So it’s especially important that board members are clear about what events—throughout the year—where their attendance is required.

The contents of the Church Board Member Annual Affirmation Statement will be different for every church, but the use of this tool will help our boards, church leaders, and staff to all be “on the same page” regarding our expectations of board members. 

While I would love to say this will eliminate all struggles on the board—it won’t! But it will significantly reduce many misunderstandings when board members are clear about board service expectations.


THIS WEEK’S QUOTES & COMMENTARY BY GLENN WOOD:


GLENN WOOD is the Pastor of Church Administration for Seacoast Church. Seacoast is a non-denominational church that operates in a multi-site model. Seacoast currently has 13 physical locations (in North and South Carolina) and an online campus with attendance of roughly 15,000 on a weekly basis. 

Glenn has served in this position full-time since 1995 and has served and attended the church since 1991. He oversees the administration of all campuses which includes: legal, contracts, leases, insurance, construction, and many other areas that no one else wants to deal with! He is also the staff contact for the Board of Trustees.

Glenn is also active with the Church Network where he provides oversight for the Metro Network, a group of churches with over 2,000 in weekly attendance. Network members share ideas and policies and give leadership to their roundtable and national conference meetings.

Glenn also writes the “Pastor Excel” article for the Church Network quarterly publication where he shares his knowledge of spreadsheets, MS Excel, PivotTables, training, and using technology to make church administration a little easier. He is also a regular speaker at church conferences and meetings on MS Excel and its use in the church.

TO-DO TODAY: 
• Download the Church Board Member Annual Affirmation Statement from the ECFA website and review and customize it with your board.
• Set a date for your annual review of the three “board hats” to ensure your affirmation statement is current.
• Visit the ECFA Knowledge Center and read and share the short chapter, “Lesson 6 - Enhance Harmony by Clarifying Your Participant Hat Expectations.”






NEXT WEDNESDAY:

On April 3, 2019, watch for the commentary by Monty Kelso on Lesson 7, "Eliminate Fuzziness Between Board and Staff Roles. Keep your leaders on track with a one-page Prime Responsibility Chart.”

ORDER THE BOOK TODAY!

BULK ORDERS: Click here.  For more resources and to download the book's Table of Contents, visit the book's webpage.

Wednesday, March 20, 2019

LESSON 5 – Do Unwritten Board Policies Really Exist?

Welcome to Lessons From the Church Boardroom—The Blog, a 40-week journey through the new book, Lessons From the Church Boardroom: 40 Insights for Exceptional Governance, by Dan Busby and John Pearson. Each Wednesday, we'll feature a guest blogger’s favorite snippet from the week's topic. Denise Craig is our guest blogger this week for the first of three lessons in "Part 2: Boardroom Tools and Templates.”


LESSON 5 OF 40 – Do Unwritten Board Policies Really Exist?
Can’t find that 10-year-old policy? You need a BPM.

THE BIG IDEA FROM THE BOOK: In Lesson 5, the authors note that a Board Policies Manual can serve boards and their organizations well by keeping policies organized, up-to-date, and easily accessible. It can also help onboard new board members while answering most of their questions in a single document.
 
 
MY FAVORITE INSIGHTS from Lesson 5, pages 24-30:
• “While many churches have written policies covering a wide range of topics, they’re often filed away incoherently in the archives and no one can find them when needed.” 
• The process:
     Step 1: Commit to the Concept
     Step 2: Develop the Board Policies Manual
     Step 3: Integrate the Board Policies Manual
• “A BPM will help your board negotiate an emergency leadership transition, frame the strategic planning process, and give direction and boundaries in dozens of other important policy issues.”

MY COLOR COMMENTARY:
Because of the pace of our lives and ministry, it can be easy to say, “We don’t have time to create a Board Policies Manual.” However, we probably spend more time searching for things in various places, whether it is a policy folder on our server, board minutes from long ago or even paper archives long-since filed away. The time involved to create a Board Policies Manual is time well-invested. 

Keeping the policies current in one location will help the board and staff function better together, with clear expectations for all. It also helps promote continuity in policies, rather than conflict. Having the policy manual close at hand, as a reference tool, ensures similar situations are handled with the same care and attention over time. 

Having the forethought to think through and document what the board will do in the event of an emergency can really help ease the stress level of those involved when they have clear guidance to reference. It causes a board to be more productive when they aren’t constantly reinventing the wheel. It keeps leaders, both seasoned and new, on the same page and guards the unity.  

THIS WEEK’S QUOTES & COMMENTARY BY DENISE CRAIG:



DENISE CRAIG is the Executive Pastor at Abba’s House and she is a Certified Church Administrator. Denise also serves as Board President of The Church Network (TCN) and is on the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) Church Board of Reference, on the Editorial Advisory Panel for Church Executive Magazine, and on the Executive Board and the Personnel Committee of the Hamilton County Baptist Association. She enjoys worshipping in the Abba’s House Choir with the rest of her family—her wonderful husband of more than 25 years, Jay, and their three children.

TO-DO TODAY: 
• Gather your existing policies in one location.
• Recruit a team to champion the Board Policies Manual project and see it through to the end.
• Visit the ECFA Knowledge Center and read and share the short chapter, “Lesson 5 – Do Unwritten Board Policies Really Exist?
• Download a Board Policies Manual template, courtesy of Bob Andringa and The Andringa Group. Click here.
• View this short video conversation between Dan Busby and John Pearson with more insights on the value of a Board Policies Manual:










NEXT WEDNESDAY:

On March 27, 2019, watch for the commentary by Glenn Wood on Lesson 6, "Enhance Harmony by Clarifying Your Participant Hat Expectations. Understand the three board hats: Governance, Volunteer, and Participant.”

ORDER THE BOOK TODAY!


BULK ORDERS: Click here.  For more resources and to download the book's Table of Contents, visit the book's webpage.

Wednesday, March 13, 2019

LESSON 4 – What Could Possibly Go Wrong?

Welcome to Lessons From the Church Boardroom—The Blog, a 40-week journey through the new book, Lessons From the Church Boardroom: 40 Insights for Exceptional Governance, by Dan Busby and John Pearson. Each Wednesday, we'll feature a guest blogger’s favorite snippet from the week's topic. Bobby Schuller is our guest blogger this week for the fourth of four lessons in "Part 1: The Powerful Impact of Highly Engaged Boards.”


LESSON 4 OF 40 – What Could Possibly Go Wrong?
Prepare your board now for the possibility of future accusations and investigations. 

THE BIG IDEA FROM THE BOOK: In Lesson 4, the authors encourage boards to start planning now for unanticipated problems. As churches know all too well, Jesus does not promise smooth sailing here and now. Although we do not have a choice as to whether or not adversity will strike, we can decide whether or not to prepare in advance. That is the one element of control we do possess.

In addition, boards should adopt a bias towards action. In practice, this means being proactive rather than reactive. This begins with fostering a culture that values honesty and accountability. Boards must not sweep problems under the rug. A healthy board will proactively engage. The authors encourage boards to listen, evaluate, investigate, and above all—practice the time-tested Christian principles of peacemaking and truth telling.   

MY FAVORITE INSIGHTS from Lesson 4, pages 17-22:
The authors advise that “Outside help can be essential to a proper investigation and possibly even required by law.” So many ministries, schools and nonprofits have gotten into trouble for failing to act on credible tips. Take for example, Michigan State University and USA Gymnastics which allegedly failed to confront and investigate Larry Nassar. 

Boards should not be afraid to reach out for assistance. As Busby and Pearson counsel, “This allows civil authorities to come alongside the church to enforce the laws of the land, while the church addresses the spiritual issues.”   

MY COLOR COMMENTARY:
As I read this lesson, two quotes came to mind. The first is attributed to Benjamin Franklin who opined that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” There are so many examples of once vibrant ministries being destroyed by preventable behavior or actions. The warning signs were obvious, the smoke was visible, and yet no one acted. This is a travesty because it is always easier to prevent problems rather than treat them after the fact. My board makes it a regular practice to scan for threats and issues on the horizon. This is an invaluable exercise that helps to avoid problems down the road.  

The second quote is from Mike Tyson, who quipped that “everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.” So often we draw up contingency plans, put them in tidy binders and promptly forget about them. Response plans must be implemented, updated and refreshed periodically. Having a plan on file is only effective if you live it out. Are you talking with your HR staff, legal advisor, and insurance broker? These folks know the latest developments—and can keep you informed. Don’t wait until the crisis strikes to pull that binder off the shelf.  

At the end of the day, Busby and Pearson offer this sage advice: “don’t stress out.”  The Lord is in control, and has called you to serve. Just do the next right thing and keep your eyes fixed on Jesus. You are doing a great job, and the Lord will bless your paths. 

THIS WEEK’S QUOTES & COMMENTARY BY BOBBY SCHULLER:


REV. BOBBY SCHULLER is the lead pastor of Shepherd’s Grove Church in Irvine, Calif., and The Hour of Power television ministry broadcast around the world. Bobby is a graduate of Oral Roberts University and Fuller Theological Seminary. He is passionate about equipping leaders and reaching the unchurched with a positive, Christ-centered message. Bobby lives in Orange County with his wife, Hannah, and their two children, Haven and Cohen.  

TO-DO TODAY: 
• Review and update your child protection and sexual misconduct policies. If you do not have these policies in place, then get started on writing and implementing them immediately.
• Seek out and proactively cultivate working relationships with attorneys, consultants, and other subject matter experts who will be up-to-speed and ready to assist when problems or investigations arise. The moment of crisis is the worst time to begin the process of gathering resources.  
• Visit the ECFA Knowledge Center and read and share the short chapter, “Lesson 4 – What Could Possibly Go Wrong?”





NEXT WEDNESDAY:

On March 20, 2019, watch for the commentary by Denise Craig on Lesson 5, "Do Unwritten Board Policies Really Exist? Can’t find that 10-year-old policy? You need a BPM.”

ORDER THE BOOK TODAY!


BULK ORDERS: Click here.  For more resources and to download the book's Table of Contents, visit the book's webpage.

Wednesday, March 6, 2019

LESSON 3 – Guarding Your Pastor’s Soul

Welcome to Lessons From the Church Boardroom—The Blog, a 40-week journey through the new book, Lessons From the Church Boardroom: 40 Insights for Exceptional Governance, by Dan Busby and John Pearson. Each Wednesday, we'll feature a guest blogger’s favorite snippet from the week's topic. Dave Stone is our guest blogger this week for the third of four lessons in "Part 1: The Powerful Impact of Highly Engaged Boards.”


LESSON 3 OF 40 – Guarding Your Pastor’s Soul
Senior pastor moral failures are devastating to churches. Wise boards invest time—up front—to ensure the pastor’s soul is not neglected.

THE BIG IDEA FROM THE BOOK: Lesson 3 is both a warning and an encouragement for boards to do their part in paving the way for healthy leadership that is characterized by humility, integrity, and purity. Boards must be willing to lean in rather than staying at arm’s length.

MY FAVORITE INSIGHTS from Lesson 3, pages 10-16:
• External factors (health, vacation time, exercise, diet) are easier to discern than the spiritual walk or inner being of the pastor. 
It was powerful for me to read that “the lack of humility rates as the number one warning signal.” WOW!  Pastors, we must regularly ask ourselves—are we in the ministry for ourselves or for Jesus Christ?
• It’s easier for pastors to be vulnerable about their own weaknesses when they know that the board has their backs. Boards do this by making Jesus the board’s priority—not controlling the leader as the priority. 

MY COLOR COMMENTARY:
We are living in a day and time when pastors receive more criticism and also more applause than ever before. Preaching allows people to see pastors when they are at the top of their game each week. It hides the way they may speak to their spouse, or treat those outside of the church. And the more success or growth the organization or church experiences—the easier it is for pastors to start believing their own headlines. The board’s job is to hold high the value of humility.

It can be a fine line—because you will need to encourage the pastor’s good work while at the same time being mindful that the Lord is the One who is responsible for any “success.” While the board can’t ensure that the pastor’s behavior and attitude will always be “beyond reproach,” the board can look for warning signs and lovingly encourage changes early on. 

Your role is to encourage healthy leadership and relationships, and to prevent a meltdown that will damage the pastor, the pastor’s family, and the bride of Christ. While the board can’t do everything, they can do something. 

I’m grateful for a Chairman of the Board who meets with me monthly just to check in and see how things are going with my marriage, my kids, my health, and my schedule. A deep friendship has formed which allows us to have those conversations which go beneath the surface and beyond the affairs of the church.

THIS WEEK’S QUOTES & COMMENTARY BY DAVE STONE:


For the past 30 years, Dave Stone has been on staff and preaching at the Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Ky. Since 2006 he has served as the Senior Pastor, entrusted with both the joy and responsibility of preaching to over 25,000 each weekend. Dave and his wife, Beth, have three adult children and three grandchildren. Dave is a popular speaker for nonprofit fund raisers and President’s weekends. Besides his Savior and his family, one of the greatest blessings in his life is the godly Elder board at his church.

TO-DO TODAY: 
• Every month or so, have a board member lean in with the leader and ask where their greatest stress is—and then ask how the board could diminish that. 
Do something as a board that communicates your willingness to invest in the pastor’s marriage. (Ideas: something as simple as occasional gift cards to their favorite restaurant; or perhaps a conference budget that must be used every other year—for a retreat or conference that they will attend TOGETHER.) 
• Visit the ECFA Knowledge Center and read and share the short chapter, Lesson 3 – Guarding Your Pastor’s Soul."




NEXT WEDNESDAY:

On March 13, 2019, watch for the commentary by Bobby Schuller on Lesson 4, "What Could Possibly Go Wrong? Prepare your board now for the possibility of future accusations and investigations.”

ORDER THE BOOK TODAY!


BULK ORDERS: Click here.  For more resources and to download the book's Table of Contents, visit the book's webpage.