Most church board meetings are filled with "business items." Decisions need to be made, proposals to consider, reports to receive. Yet the primary focus of the Church should be people and seeing lives changed by the Gospel.

So, here is an idea to help keep the focus on people and encourage the hearts of board members: invite someone to come and share their story of how life is different because of Jesus Christ.

For example, the agenda was full for the elders at Christ Covenant Church near Charlotte, N.C. However, just days before, one of their elders, Sam Wilson, was diagnosed with advanced cancer throughout his body. Sam had to be wheeled into the meeting in a wheel chair.

He and his wife, Harriet, shared the wonderful reality of Christ in their lives, in the midst of the worst trial they had ever faced. That night, the business items were put into proper perspective as tears were shed, prayers were offered and praise was sung. And this was in a Presbyterian church, not exactly known for ...