(Re-Valuing the Collective Work of Elders) Once upon a time, the work of elders was considered “a noble task.”[1] Those who did the work well were shown “double honor.” (Does that mean twice the salary?) These are not sentiments normally associated with elders in our authority-cynical age. Even when some measure of “nobility” and “honor” [...]
Archive for the ‘Effective Elder’s Meetings’ Category
Healthy Meeting Habits
Friday, March 23rd, 2012 | No CommentsMeetings are like baking. You need to know what you’re cooking (i.e., the reason why you’re meeting). You need a recipe that specifies the required ingredients (the agenda). You need to have all the makings and tools at hand (gathering the information, people, and resources necessary to make good decisions and implement actions). You need [...]
Leading the Leaders (Someone has to Steer)
Sunday, January 29th, 2012 | No CommentsImagine a business where “musical chairs” is used as the management model. The key executive role turns over regularly … a different President each month. Little regard for training, experience, gifts, and skills. Little regard for consistency, stability, and effectiveness. Instead, egalitarianism is the prime leadership value—everyone needs to have their time in the President’s [...]
They Met to Consider this Question
Wednesday, January 18th, 2012 | No CommentsThere is elder (the individual) and there is eldership (the collective). There is the role which individuals fill personally—“shepherd”—and the governing role which a group of elders shares together—“shepherds.” Most elders I know get stuck on occasion in the tension between the singular and the plural. So much of the important work of a shepherd [...]
Effective Elder’s Meetings
Sunday, January 15th, 2012 | No CommentsI love elders. I love their charactered ways and pastoral hearts and concern for the Kingdom. I love their commitment to Christ and His church. I love the way they give themselves to the people God has placed under their care. I love elders. It’s elders’ meetings I find difficult. As someone who has attended [...]
