In the last two weeks we have been exploring a conversation triangle – one way of visualizing where church board discussions get stuck and how they can be helped to move deeper. Every group conversation has at least at three points: content, individual experience, and...
Last week, we shared a conversation triangle, a diagram that can help you analyze where your church board meetings get ‘stuck’ and improve the flow of discussion in future meetings. At their best, church board meetings move dynamically among the three points that form this triangle:...
This happens in church board meetings. A discussion is going well, with many contributions, and then one member speaks up, powerfully and at length, about how the issue has impacted them personally. It touches on their grief, fear, pain – something deep and very difficult. ...
Quick survey: what in your life is mostly the same as it was, say, 10 years ago? Hopefully, relationships have endured and grown, along with other values, convictions, and callings you deem essential. But what about other, less crucial things? Do you have the same...
Ah, the Oscars. Viewers of this year’s award ceremony were treated to a naked man presenting the Best Costume award, a seemingly confused Al Pacino announcing the Best Picture winner, a five-star tribute to Barbie’s Ken … and a botched In Memoriam. Every Academy award...
For most of us, surprises are overrated. Just ask your fellow board members how much they really enjoy surprise parties. Life as we like it thrives on certainty. We are better able to sleep at night if we expect to awaken to a world that...
Our post two weeks ago, on the fact that most Americans feel like they are on “the losing side” of politics, garnered many responses. Pastors and lay leaders told us they are struggling with the ways tribalism is causing tension and division in their churches. ...
Entering our local gym, we hear the same instructions every time. “Stretching helps prevent bad things and enables good things – lean into it!” Despite this regular refrain, stretching remains an underappreciated practice in exercise, in life … and in how pastors and church boards guide...
Church boards have limited time and energy after addressing staffing, budgets, buildings, schedules, and the semi-regular concerns coming from members. However, congregational leaders do have the opportunity, upon occasion, to change the categories of conversation within a faith community. This election year may present one...