My Annual Letter to Board Members.
Congratulations, you are a Board Member. You may have been appointed or voted on by the membership. The laws of your country and Scripture set a high standard and take a serious view of leaders who sit on Boards.
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. The challenge is to find an integrated balance between the goal directed and the relationship gifted members.
“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, note these three questions.
- Do you represent a distinct group of members of 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?
The answer to each question is no.
Many Board members struggle over the complexity of the role both as individuals and as a Board. As a Board you represent all the people. 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 ultimately accountable to your Heavenly Father.
Aubrey Malphurs, in his book Being Leaders confirmed, “A Christian leader is a servant with the credibility and capabilities to influence people in a particular context to pursue their God-given direction.”
Christ set the standard of service integrity. Paul gave us instructions on the details.
Leadership is … guiding your people towards an improved relationship with our Heavenly Father.
Yours in Service,
Laurie D. Kennedy
Leadership Coach
Jethro Group
ldkjethrogroup@gmail.com