I recently worked with the ED of a charity who was discouraged that a few of his Board members seemed to have checked out. They attended, but appeared increasingly quiet and disinterested. As we looked more closely at the Board agenda and the ED’s reporting, something became clear: the Board meeting had gradually become a management meeting – a kind of “roll call” of activities completed, updates received, and operational matters reviewed. This is common in many of the churches, charities and schools we work with at Shepherd. With such a heavy emphasis on 'here's what we did' there simply isn’t much left for Board members to engage with as they excitedly think about the future God has in store.
It raises an important question: Are the Board members disengaged – or has the Board’s work become disengaging?
Governance in a Christian setting is ultimately an act of stewardship. The organization, its mission, people, resources, and opportunities belong first to God. Board members are entrusted with helping an organization faithfully pursue its calling. As Paul reminds us, “it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:2). Scripture also describes God’s people as a body in which different gifts contribute to the whole (1 Corinthians 12).
Good governance creates room for those different gifts, experiences, and perspectives to matter. That means spending less time reviewing what has already happened and more time engaging the questions that deserve a Board’s attention:
Where are we going? What is changing around us? Are we accomplishing our mission? What risks or opportunities are emerging? What decisions belong to the Board?
Sometimes the issue really is the Board member. But don’t start there. Before asking why your Board members aren’t engaging, take a good look at what you’re asking them to engage in. And in case you need some ideas, here are some thoughtful ways I have seen boards keep up the energy in a focused way:
- Begin with a mission story, not the minutes. Let a staff member, volunteer, participant, donor, student, parent, missionary, etc. tell the Board what the ministry looks like from where they sit.
- Turn the ED/Senior Leader report into a short video. Show the ministry in action -people, programs, stories, challenges – all pointing to where the ministry is going – rather than spending 30 minutes reading through a bunch of activities that could have been reviewed beforehand.
- Connect prayer directly to governance. Instead of prayer being something that happens before the meeting, pause before a significant strategic decision and pray specifically about it.
- Adopt a consent agenda. Routine reports, minutes, and standard approvals are circulated in advance and approved together, freeing time for substantive conversation.
- Spend 20 mins with one “big question” on the agenda. “What should we be paying attention to that we aren’t?” “What could threaten our mission over the next three years?” “Where is God opening an unexpected door?” You can even create a ‘scenario: “If giving dropped 20% next year, what would we protect?” “If demand doubled, what would break first?”
- Change location and timing: Occasionally hold the meeting where ministry happens. See the work, meet the people, then govern.
Looking for more leadership support in a way that energizes your key people. Feel free to reach out to us at any time, here.
SPOTLIGHT: Mission Aviation Fellowship
This week we are delighted to introduce you to one of our new clients. Likely a very familiar name with many Christians across Canada: Mission Aviation Fellowship. On their website they describe themselves this way:
There are people who, simply because of where they were born, will never have the chance at the same life many of us in the developed world enjoy. A life where their children can go to school, where they can get medical care, where they can get help when disaster strikes, where they can experience the love of Jesus. Millions of people around the world live cut-off from all this and more by either geographic barriers—like jungles, mountains, and deserts—or by social, political, or religious barriers.
Our Mission: Serving together to bring help, hope, and healing through aviation.
Our Vision: To see isolated people changed by the love of Christ.
Shepherd Consulting is delighted to come alongside of MAF and their beautiful Christian ministry by serving their board by conducting a Governance assessment. Healthy organizations do this regularly – and even do it in different ways (in-person, regarding culture, strategically, or a straightforward broad-based multi-principality way).
The best thing we can do to encourage you to get to know and support their good work is by directing you to their website here, and encouraging you to watch the video "This is Mission Aviation Fellowship." Powerful!
Rev. Dr. Darren Roorda (Founder and Principal Consultant) has served in Nonprofit Leadership for over 23 years. He is proud to work with a wonderful group of associates. His leadership and ministry roles have helped hone his education in Leadership, Governance, and Theology. D. Min., Pro Dir, Partner of The Alliance for Board Effectiveness. Professional Member of the Canadian Centre for Christian Charities
