8 Steps To Transform A Commitee
Roberta Hestenes
July 1, 1989
Here are eight areas a church must address to transform committees into caring communities. I'd start with the governing board and then apply the steps to each committee. 1. Deciding who serves. It's a bad idea to put old Joe on your elder board because he needs to get more involved, or let Gertrude chair the deaconesses because her family makes hefty financial contributions. Choosing leaders already involved in ministry is one clear biblical priority. When deciding who serves is based on commitment to ministry, faith, a clear job description, and an understanding of what really needs to be done, a committee structure can become a support base and a network of mission communities. 2. Recruiting honestly. I know a college board member who was recruited under the premise: "It won't take any of your time; you don't even have to come to meetings. We're just proud to have you on our board." What kind of quality can you expect from a board with that view of itself? An executive I know accepted a position after being told his main task was to encourage people. After taking the job, he learned the institution was bankrupt; his real job was to solve its financial problems. Since that wasn't what he signed up for, he has little motivation for his work. As pastors, we want to teach people how to discern God's will and hear his calling. When they respond freely and in faith, they will be excited about their ministry. This means being straightforward about the costs. It means giving people a chance to pray, discuss matters, and have the freedom to say no without jeopardizing our friendship or approval. If we expect someone to put out extra effort in September, we tell them. If training and special events are involved, as they should be, we ...
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