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. Bill Hoyt is our guest blogger this week for the fourth of four lessons in "Part 7: Boardroom Best Practices.”
LESSON 26 OF 40 – Before the Board Meeting
Collaborate, then wisely plan the meeting agenda.
THE BIG IDEA FROM THE BOOK: The chapter’s helpful take-away comes in two parts. First, thoughtful pre-planning helps boost meeting productivity. Second, agendas, the product of thoughtful planning, are best prepared when pastor and board chair prepare them collaboratively.
MY FAVORITE INSIGHTS from Lesson 26, pages 138-143:
Three insights struck me as I read the lesson. The first was a “palm to forehead” while uttering “Duh!” We must “allow for reconnection.” While obvious to many, not so for “let’s get on with it” activists like me!
The second, “Provide time for heavy lifting,” was an “I knew that. When did I forget it?” experience for me. Planning ahead and allotting ample time for the more important and complex agenda items is just plain wise.
The third insight that struck me was “Pray for the board meeting.” We usually remember to pray at the board meeting—but preparing for it in prayer is at least as important as praying at the meeting.
MY COLOR COMMENTARY:
Two thoughts occurred to me while reflecting on this lesson. The first is a cautionary tale and the second, hopefully, a word of encouragement.
Here’s my word of caution. While either board chair or pastor preparing an agenda in isolation is less than optimum, there are two scenarios that, in my experience, are even more deadly. When two or three power brokers meet before the meeting and plan their private agenda that overrides the “official” agenda, there is “trouble in River City!”
The corollary to that is when two or three power brokers meet in the parking lot after the board meeting and make plans that override both the agenda and board decisions of the recently adjourned meeting.
Some might argue that a meeting disciplined by a carefully planned agenda, prepared collaboratively in advance of the meeting is confining and controlling. The opposite is true. Agendas prepared with the chapter’s seven principles in mind, create a context where relationships are nurtured, items are allotted the time their importance warrants, and differences of perspective and ideas can be fully processed.
THIS WEEK’S QUOTES & COMMENTARY BY BILL HOYT:
BILL HOYT served as pastor in three local churches and 15 years in a denominational leadership role on the regional level. He is currently President of NexStep Coaching. NexStep provides assessment and follow-up coaching for churches, denominational entities, schools, mission organizations, and secular, for-profit companies. In addition, he provides executive coaching for an international clientele of ministry and business leaders.
TO-DO TODAY:
• If you are not already planning agendas in a collaborative manner, get together with your counterpart (pastor, board member or CEO). Read this chapter together and agree on how you will implement the seven principles.
• Challenge all board members to pray for each board meeting frequently prior to your meeting. You might want to suggest specific prayer items based on the upcoming agenda.
• Visit the ECFA Knowledge Center and read and share the short chapter, Lesson 26, “Before the Board Meeting.”
• Inspire your board members to enrich their governance competencies at the ECFA Excellence in Governance Forums (eight cities, Fall 2019).
VIEW THE VIDEO:
NEXT WEDNESDAY: On August 21, 2019, watch for the commentary by David Middlebrook on Lesson 27, “Defending Risks Everywhere Is Not a Strategic Plan. You must discuss the risk elephant in the boardroom.”
ORDER THE BOOK TODAY!
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. Leonard O. Leach is our guest blogger this week for the third of four lessons in "Part 7: Boardroom Best Practices.”
LESSON 25 OF 40 – Address Absentee Board Member Syndrome
There are three unhealthy ways that many church boards respond to empty chairs at board meeting. (Ho Hum. Hint. Harass)
THE BIG IDEA FROM THE BOOK: In Lesson 25, the authors stress the view that absenteeism should not be tolerated on the church board. They list seven healthy insights that provide a more appropriate and effective response to the problem of absent board members.
MY FAVORITE INSIGHTS from Lesson 25, pages 133-137:
• Recruit committed and faithful people up front to avoid absentee problems.
• Establish a written policy on board meeting attendance requirements.
• “Affirm, Affirm, Affirm.” The authors explain, “When board colleagues affirm each other, then engagement will heighten and board service satisfaction will soar.”
• Address absentee issues early.
MY COLOR COMMENTARY:
It has been my experience that many people like to wear the badge of board membership but few want to accept the burden of responsibility, particularly where attendance at meetings is concerned. Fewer still are aware of the blessing that is theirs from serving the Kingdom of God by giving faithful service through membership on the church board of directors.
Your board needs and deserves those who will faithfully invest the time to contribute to key matters of church governance by showing up at the board meetings.
Additionally, your board should be challenged with the thought of the “ministry of presence.” They should also be challenged with the truth that board membership is a blessing as board members are participating in the Kingdom of God work of “making disciples for Christ.”
Finally, as your church board continues to pursue its Kingdom of God assignment, encourage members to see the big picture and faithfully participate in every stroke that better defines, develops, and maintains that picture.
THIS WEEK’S QUOTES & COMMENTARY BY LEONARD O. LEACH:
Leonard O. Leach has served 22 years as senior pastor of the 61-year-old, Mount Hebron Missionary Baptist Church of Garland, Texas, now blessed with 2,500 members.
Prior to his tenure at Mount Hebron, he served in many capacities for 19 years on staff with the late Dr. E. K. Bailey of the Concord Church Dallas. Pastor Leach is a graduate of the former Bishop College, in Dallas, Texas, Texas A & M University in Commerce, Texas and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. He is married to his childhood sweetheart, Sharon. They have two daughters, seven grandchildren, and two great grandchildren.
TO-DO TODAY:
• Review board policies. Do they include a policy on attendance? If, not, write one!
• Deal with habitually absent members quickly, kindly and consistently.
• Visit the ECFA Knowledge Center and read and share the short chapter, Lesson 25, “Address Absentee Board Member Syndrome.”
• Inspire your board members to enrich their governance competencies at the ECFA Excellence in Governance Forums (eight cities, Fall 2019).
NEXT WEDNESDAY: On August 14, 2019, watch for the commentary by Bill Hoyt on Lesson 26, “Before the Board Meeting. Collaborate, then wisely build the board meeting agenda.”
ORDER THE BOOK TODAY!
