Nominee for Church Board Candidate
Any active member of the church may submit a signed letter to recommend a potential Board candidate of good character and commitment to the mission of the church.
PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY:
Your Name ______
Name of Nominee for Church Board Position ______
Why are you nominating this person? Why do you think this person should be considered for a church board position? ______
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□ I have talked to my nominee for Church Board and they have indicated their willingness to serve if asked.
Your Signature ______Date ______
Potential Board candidates must successfully complete a training course taught by the Senior Pastor covering the mission, vision, and structure of the Church.
Potential Board candidates must sign a covenant to uphold the highest standards of participation, service, supportiveness, and tithing with regard to the Church.
The primary role of the Board shall be to provide accountability and support for the Senior Pastor by writing concise Guiding Principles in three categories:
1. Mission Principles shall define for the Senior Pastor what ends the Church exists to achieve.
2. Boundary Principles shall define for the Senior Pastor what means may not be used in pursuit of achieving those ends.
3. Accountability Principles shall define for the Chairperson how the Board is to establish the Guiding Principles and to monitor the Senior Pastor’s compliance with them.
Board members shall not receive any compensation for their services as Board members.
Immediate family members of the Senior Pastor, of the Staff, or of any other Board Member shall not serve on the Board.
Twelve Key Characteristics of an Effective Board Member By Bill Hoyt
1. Demonstrates Spiritual Maturity in Everyday Life
Why would you ever want a spiritually immature person making decisions about the future of the church? Notice, the characteristic is spiritual maturity in everyday life, not just at church.
2. Demonstrates Both Wisdom and a Willingness to take Calculated Risks
(2 Chronicles 1:10) While a board member can always gain in wisdom, the church board is not the place for learning the “A, B, C’s” of wisdom. Wisdom is not to be confused with timidity or fear. True wisdom takes risks, calculated risks.
3. Possesses Strong Relational Skills
Effective leadership does not fixate on edicts, policies, procedures or rules. Effective leadership is about people, influencing people to do the right things. Effective board members know how to relate well with others. People find them easy to approach, easy to talk with and easy to follow.
4. Highly Respected by Those Who Know Them
“Leadership is influence.” It is true that if no one is following, you are not leading.
5. Unequivocally Committed to the Mission and Vision of the Church
The leaders of your church are to lead your church to accomplish its God-given mission and vision. If they are not unequivocally committed to the mission and vision, they cannot effectively lead the church to accomplish them.
6. Able to see “The Big Picture” and “The Long Perspective”
An effective board in a healthy church does not micro-manage the pastor and staff. An effective board in a healthy church establishes boundaries through broad policies and holds the pastor accountable for leading the church’s ministry within those boundaries. Its role is to think ahead, to anticipate the future, to insure the church is prepared for the changes that growth, the economy, the culture and new ministry opportunities bring.
7. Listens Well, Asks Good Questions, Weighing Things Carefully Before Making Decisions
A good leader does not jump to conclusions or shoot from the hip. An effective leader knows they do not know it all, and so they seek the perspective and wisdom of others. They know how to ask good questions. They listen well, understanding the points being made by others and they continue asking questions until they do understand. They carefully weigh various perspectives and options. They decide when the “homework” is done.
8. Has a Servant Attitude
(Matthew 20:25-28) Good leaders understand their role as the servant of others. In particular they serve those who are directly doing the ministry of the church. In partnership with the pastor, a good board member empowers, encourages and resources ministry leaders of the church. Their primary role is to do all they can to insure the success of the pastor and key ministry leaders in carrying out the ministry of the church and the fulfilling of the church’s Great Commission Mission.
9. Has a History of Effective Service in Ministry and Mission
Effective involvement and leadership in ministry (On-campus) and mission (Off-campus) helps prepare a person for governance leadership. In a healthy, missional church, board members (governance leaders) understand the priority is ministry effectiveness. They understand their primary task is to empower those who are doing the work of the church for effectiveness. If they themselves have served and been supported and encouraged by previous governance leaders, they are far more likely to keep this essential perspective during their tenure on the board.
10. Consistently Practices the Spiritual Disciplines of Prayer and Bible Study
Churches are best served by leaders who are grounded in the Word and on regular speaking terms with God through prayer. Prayer and regular Bible study help produce Christ-likeness which takes the “strong relational skills” mentioned above to a whole new level.
11. Gives a Minimum of a Tithe to the Church
Leaders lead not only by what they say, but by what they do. Giving a minimum of a tithe to the church they lead, while not a requirement in the age of grace, does indicate a deep commitment to the Lord’s and the church. Giving generously allows one to ask others to give generously. I believe that if a person is unwilling to support the church, minimally with a tithe, they have forfeited their right to make significant decisions about the direction of the church as a board member.
12. Master of Their Temper and Tongue
(James 3:5-6) If a leader has tamed his or her tongue, there is a pretty good chance that they have the ability to control other potentially destructive behaviors in their lives. (Exodus 34:6) (Psalm 145:8) To the extent to which a leader has mastered their tongue and temper, the easier it is for people to follow.