Relationships, relationships, relationships

A church board that works well together as a team requires a combination of love and trust. But that doesn’t just happen. It takes time together and open communication. The board members don’t need to be our best friends—in fact that could be a hindrance at times—but they do need to be fellow Christians who share our goals of unity, loving candor, and obedience to God and His Word while seeking to give Him glory.

Because developing relationships with the people on my board is so important to me, it hurt when a fellow staff member made the comment that I “schmoozed” with the main board members. Reflexively, I asked him if he thought relationships were important. Later that same man told me that he finally understood and called me the “master of incremental change.”

I include this incident (and please forgive my reference to a personal compliment) because it illustrates that my goal of practicing what I’m advocating often can be misunderstood. Even so, developing a healthy board built on love and trust is worth the extra effort—and, sadly, even the misunderstandings. (But hopefully they, like my fellow staffer, will eventually “get it.”)

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Visit your board members where they work to pray for them and to understand their daily calling. (After all, they come to your place of business every Sunday and more!)
• Pray for your board members daily. Remember them on their birthdays. And pastor their family when in need.
• Be sure to talk with members individually when a bad mood seems to prevail over staff deliberations. This is the best way to pinpoint the problem.
• Don’t be afraid to provide your board members with additional information when it seems their perspective on an issue is skewed.
• As with the board in general, never surprise them with changes. Communication is vital!

Finally and most importantly, individual relationships with board members are strengthened by the careful study of Scripture and time of prayer that begin each board meeting. These must be mandatory in your mind!

What are some other issues which, if not mandatory, might be of great importance?