Speaking from experience, I think we can agree together that we approach dangerous water when we speak (or hear) this sentence: “Of course, we all know the purpose of the ________________ Committee.” Probably somewhere in a tattered file folder in most every congregation, there is...
Christmas is about giving, yes, but Christmas is also about receiving - receiving gifts, receiving people, receiving God’s grace. How do church boards learn to receive well? How, in a context where things are constantly being asked of them, do they practice reception? And not...
Think of a church that is well known for its generosity to those in need, especially at Christmas. Would it surprise you to know that this church nearly tears itself apart each year in wrestling over how much to give to whom, and who gets...
During the first full year of the Civil War (1862), Emily Dickinson wrote: At least—to pray—is left—is left— Oh Jesus—in the Air— I know not which thy chamber is— I'm knocking—everywhere— Thou settest Earthquake in the South— And Maelstrom, in the Sea— Say, Jesus Christ of Nazareth— Hast thou no Arm for Me?...
None of us come to church – not on Sundays and certainly not on the random weeknight – only as the “role” we play: usher, choir member, mission volunteer, board member. A church board gathers on the third Tuesday of the month. Coming into the...
As we previewed in Macedonian’s Leadership Conversations over the last few weeks, we strongly believe that church boards in their decision-making role should go as deep spiritually as they possibly can every time they meet. This weekly email will suggest resources for digging that “deeper...
This month, church boards will convene in the wake of the U.S. midterm elections. A congregation of any size has within it those who do not agree with one another socially, politically, theologically. What does belonging to one another in a church mean when the...
“We learn to praise God not by paying compliments, but by paying attention,” Frederick Buechner once wrote. It’s an excellent guideline for church board meetings....
If we feed people spiritually, all the true institutional needs of a congregation will be taken care of. I think the corollary is also true: congregations can organize, plan, arrange, recruit, announce and invite folks to all types of things, but if the deep spiritual needs...