\nMuch tension between church leaders stems from a fuzzy knowledge about each\nother’s responsibility. Who sets the goals? Who leads the church to accomplish\nits goals? Who actually carries out the work to reach those goals?<\/p>\n\n
\nThis exercise can help. Under “Responsibility,” check which of the eight\nstatements best expresses the church’s viewpoint, the board’s perspective,\nand so on.<\/p>\n\n
\nThen repeat this process with the four statements in the “Accountability\nsection.<\/p>\n\n
\nIt is possible for one statement to reflect the viewpoint of more than one\nparty.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n1. The senior pastor is responsible to establish the vision for the church\nand to lead the church in its accomplishment.<\/p>\n\n
\n2. The senior pastor is responsible to establish the vision for the church\nand, with the concurrence of the board, lead the church in its accomplishment.<\/p>\n\n
\n3. The senior pastor is responsible to establish the vision for the church\nand, with the concurrence of the board and congregation, lead the church\nin its accomplishment.<\/p>\n\n
\n4. The senior pastor and the board are both responsible to establish the\nvision for the church and to lead the church in its accomplishment.<\/p>\n\n
\n5. The senior pastor and the board are both responsible to establish the\nvision for the church and, with the concurrence of the congregation, lead\nthe church in its accomplishment.<\/p>\n\n
\n6. The board is responsible to establish the vision for the church, and the\nsenior pastor, under the board’s direction, leads the church in its\naccomplishment.<\/p>\n\n
\n7. The board is responsible to establish the vision for the church, with\nthe congregation’s concurrence, and the senior pastor, under the board’s\ndirection, leads the church in its accomplishment.<\/p>\n\n
\n8. The congregation is responsible to establish the vision for the church,\nwith assistance by the board and the senior pastor as to the process by which\nit is accomplished.<\/p>\n\n
\n1. The senior pastor is accountable only to the congregation. The board’s\nfunction is to support the pastor in carrying out his ministry.<\/p>\n\n
\n2. The senior pastor and the board are co-equal, each accountable directly\nto the congregation, working cooperatively in different spheres of\nresponsibility.<\/p>\n\n
\n3. The senior pastor and the board are co-equal, and accountable only to\neach other.<\/p>\n\n
\n4. The board is accountable to the congregation, and the senior pastor is\naccountable to the board, serving as its resource and implementor.<\/p>\n\n
Dennis N. Baker\nCB Ministries, Wheaton, Illinois<\/p>\n