Greg Asimakoupoulos

In almost two decades of pastoral ministry, I discovered a few unchanging realities. 1. Sunday came whether or not I was fully prepared. 2. After the church chairman adjourned the monthly board meeting with the pound of his gavel, my head would beat the cadence of a nervous drummer as I retreated home with a migraine headache.

The meetings invariably started late. They dragged on, sometimes until midnight. Board members were often unprepared. Petty issues were debated while issues of substance were tabled. I would rather have my teeth cleaned than attend a board meeting.

Many pastors have little training in administrative planning, conflict resolution, goal setting, leading by consensus, managing volunteers, or fundraising. Seminary taught pastors how to carefully exegete Scripture and choose appropriate hymns but not necessarily how to work with a board. That's why pastors and church administrators could benefit from The Effective Church Board by Michael J. Anthony. This handbook for mentoring a congregation's lay leaders is the result of an extensive research project done by Anthony, who is professor of Christian education at Talbot School of Theology in California. He surveyed more than 100 pastors and as many church board members on the topic of healthy church leadership.

Anthony wrote the book to help board members and pastors work together. He offers biblical insights and practical suggestions in several areas. He explores misconceptions pastors have of volunteer board members and misconceptions board members have of pastors. And he tackles down-to-earth issues, such as how to develop vision statements, write job descriptions, set goals, weather (and prevent) financial storms, and resolve interpersonal conflicts.

The two appendices at the end are worth the price of the book. The first includes snippets of advice from board members to young pastors. I particularly liked the comment "Follow your vision and allow your board members to develop theirs. Walk carefully the tightrope between your strong leadership and empowering your board members to lead."

The second appendix offers four case studies (with discussion questions), outlining the scenarios boards and pastors will most likely face. This is an ideal resource for pastors and church administrators to take along to a church board retreat.

Another helpful resource on effective church boards is Nailing Down A Board, by Charles C. Ryrie. The book isn't long, but what it includes is pure gold. Written by the respected theologian who gave us the Ryrie Study Bible, this little volume with the clever title is helpful reading for administrators, pastors, and newly elected board members. Among other things, Ryrie suggests limiting the size of church boards, insisting on board members who embrace the unique mission of the local body, and freeing both the pastor and the board to do what they are empowered to do.

Greg Asimakoupoulos pastored churches for 19 years and is director of creative communication at Chapel Ministries in Carol Stream, Illinois.

Helpful Resources On Church Boards

The Effective Church Board
by Michael J. Anthony
Wipf & Stock
541-344-1528; www.academicbooks.com

Nailing Down A Board
by Charles C. Ryrie
Kregel Publications, 1999
800-733-2607; www.kregel.com

Creating Caring and Capable Boards
by Katherine Tyler Scott
Jossey-Bass Publishers, 2000
800-956-7339; www.josseybass.com

Faith and Governance
by Thomas P. Holland and David C. Hester, editors
Jossey-Bass Publishers, 2000
800-956-7339; www.josseybass.com

The Church Organizational Manual
by Robert H. Welch
NACBA Press; 800-898-8085

Christian Management Association
Workshop tapes on church boards
800-642-2287 (ACTS); www.iwc.com/acts