Congratulations, you’ve been invited to sit as a Board Member. You may have been appointed or voted on by the membership. Scripture and the laws of your country set a high standard for board members.
The Scriptural qualifications are strong. In a word, ‘integrity’ is the standard for Board members. You may be goal-oriented and task-focused or you may be relationship-focused and a people person. Every board needs both leaders. The challenge is to find the scriptural balance, prayerful and God focused.
“I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.” (1 Corinthians 1:10 NIV)
As an individual Board member, can you honestly say “no” to each of these three questions?
- Do you uniquely represent a distinct group of members within the body?
- Do you respond to political pressure from vocal givers or former leaders?
- Does your key leader (Pastor, President, or CEO) make the decisions and you ‘rubber stamp’ them?
Many Board members struggle over the complexity of the role as individuals and as a Board. As a Board you represent all the people (current and future). You don’t follow a pressure group, you lead everyone to God’s plan. It is God’s Vision for you, your Board and your mission that is most important. Sometimes your decisions will not be popular, but you are accountable to our Heavenly Father.
“A Christian leader is a servant with the credibility and capabilities to influence people in a particular context to pursue their God-given direction” (Malphurs, 2003). As a Leadership Board member we need to live the highest standard of integrity.
Yours in Service,
Laurie D. Kennedy
Pastor of Congregational Care Author of Leadership Is Devotions for Servant Leaders (Amazon.ca)