A YOUNG man, in business for just four years, opened up his fourth hardware store. This was quite an accomplishment considering the young fellow's small initial investment of only $3,500, strong competition from other stores, and the relatively short time he had been in business. When asked the secret of his success he stated that it was due primarily to his "weekly improvement program." All during the week he made notes and jotted clown ideas as to how he could improve his business. Then every Monday evening he set aside four hours to review the ideas he had jotted down and figure out how to put the solid ones to use in the business.
As ministers we need to review our work frequently, always seeking ways of doing the Lord's work better. It is vital that good relationships be developed between the pastor, the local church elder, and the church board. Here are some suggestions that may prove helpful:
1. Keep the local church elder informed.
b. Let him know in advance your plans for guest speakers.
c. Keep him well enough informed about your personal program so that he will have a general idea of what you are doing and how you may be reached.
d. Help him to feel he is a key man on the team regarding the church program.
a. Introduce changes, new ideas, et cetera, to the board as suggested to be voted before adoption, such as:
(1) The undershepherd plan.
(2) The use of the registration certificate.
(3) Changes in the church bulletin, church directory, church letterheads, et cetera.
(4) Changes in the order of service. NOTE: Encourage suggestions from the board of elders or other committees.
b. Have board approval for even minor expenditures, such as paper, paper clips, bulletin stock, rubber bands, et cetera.
c. Plan with the board well in advance for the evangelistic program, socials, Weeks of Prayer, church picnics, et cetera, setting the dates, setting up committees to work out details when necessary.
d. Keep the board well informed of
coming events, such as baptisms, child dedication services, plans for prayer meetings, Christian Home Day, Community Relations Day, or whatever the coming program may be.
3. Conduct the church board.
a. Have a regular meeting time. We suggest the first week of each month.b. Notify members by mail a few days ahead, and have them reminded by telephone the day of the meeting.
c. Begin on time and endeavor to close on time.
d. Begin with an appropriate devotional thought and maintain a high spiritual tone.
e. Have a typed agenda for each member, or at least a written agenda on the blackboard. This agenda may well conclude with a listing of coming events as a matter of information.
f. Begin with the clerk's report. It is well to have the report include members added or dropped through the month and present membership of the church. An occasional comparative report with former years will help to simulate an interest in the growth of the church. The use of graphs and charts can be very useful.
g. Follow with the treasurer's report. Here comparative statements, graphs, and charts can also be used to very good advantage. Make these reports short.
h. Proceed with unfinished business.
i. Stay by the agenda and on the subject. Conserve time. Conduct the meeting in a businesslike manner. Avoid unnecessary discussion, but allow ample time for the exploration of ideas where the situation warrants. Expedite matters but never allow the appearance of "railroading."
j. Be democratic. Encourage discussion and allow for differences of opinion. Have it understood that all will support the majority vote.
k. As pastors we must yield to the decisions of the board, even though it may be contrary to our opinion. We must set a right example in this as in everything else. The emphasis must always be on unity of action. Board members must leave the meeting speaking the same language.
l. Delegate responsibility and be certain that the actions of the board will be implemented. Know who is to carry through, then check to be sure it is done.
m. The minutes should be typed in duplicate as soon after the meeting as possible; one copy to the pastor, another to the head elder. The original is retained by the clerk.
n. It is helpful if the clerk numbers and identifies each item of business. The report should also list those present. It need not normally name the person making the motion or the one seconding it.
o. A quorum should always be present to transact business. Normally this is 50 per cent.
The Registration Certificate
Some churches follow a plan of registering all in attendance at the Sabbath services, both members and guests. This has proved to be a real blessing, but the cooperation of all must be encouraged if such a plan is adopted.
Something like the following could be included in the bulletin:
"We welcome our guests that have come in to worship with us this morning. If you have not already done so, we invite you to unite with our members at this time in registering your attendance. We expect 100 percent of our members to register their attendance each Sabbath morning and we will appreciate your doing the same. Look over the registration certificate and check the proper square if there is some way that we can be of further service to you. If you desire further information about our church, or perhaps would appreciate a call from the pastor, are interested in baptism, or whatever it might be, please let us know. We are so happy to have you with us. Our prayer is that you will receive a rich spiritual blessing and will want to return again and again. If you are looking for a church home, we believe you will find this church a fine family to belong to."
