The preceding article dealt with some common practices that influence board unity. This article focuses on another important unifying element: the kinds of personal relationships pastors develop with board members.

Several years ago I was playing racketball with another minister. The score was close. The serve went back and forth.

Suddenly, as if propelled by a squirt of adrenaline, the guy blew me away. His serves became powerful, his backhand flawless, his accuracy on those low shots in the corner deadly.

I knew he was good-but not that good!

Soundly defeated and drenched with sweat, I took him by the shoulders and said, "OK, Hercules, what's with you? How did you pull that off?"

"Well, Chuck," he said, smiling broadly, "I did play beyond my ability. It started when I began to think about last night's board meeting. I got madder and madder and smashed that deacon's face all over this court! It's amazing how a bad board meeting improves my game." We laughed and headed for the showers.

I've ...