Is there a difference?
The men and women who end up on church boards are usually drawn from the ranks of those who have been successful in business and industry. That makes sense but these folks need some special training so they do not confuse a profit with a non-profit organization.
One of the greatest challenges is Elders or Board Members who get caught in the middle of a member who complains about one of the church workers. There is enormous pressure on the Elder to go and solve the problem when that is the wrong thing to do.
The Elder may accept the member's anxiety and feel obligated and responsible to solve the problem and make the member feel better. The Elder then begins to spread his own anxiety and tells the Pastor or other elders or even brings it up in the Council meeting thus raising the fears of the entire group and getting the board off its agenda onto another useless rabbit trail.
What is best when you hear a members' complaint?
1. A Complaint is not necessarily a demand for action but a request for a listener.
2. Assess whether or not you have anything to do with the Complaint. We usually do NOT have any "Dog" in that fight so stay out of it.
3. Refer the Complainer to the proper person with whom they have the issue. Read Matt 18:15
4. Never, ever bring it up in the Council of Elders meeting. NEVER! NEVER! NEVER!
The best thing to do is have us teach your Board about what the duties and responsibilities of Board Members are and are not. Make sure everyone knows the rules and abides by them.
posted by Gary Sweeten @ Thursday, July 13, 2006
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