Church Governance, Succession Planning & Emergency Strategies. Deacon Stanley Featherstone

Transcription

1 Church Governance, Succession Planning & Emergency Strategies Deacon Stanley Featherstone

2 INTRODUCTION Objectives To Share Strategies used by FBCG To encourage us all to think through the need for succession and emergency planning for your ministries Experiences Perspective

3 HISTORY ( A BAPTIST MODEL) The Baptist Church Each church is autonomous Democratic in governance Influenced by leadership vision and capacity Traditional Model Governed by the Pastor and the Board of Deacons Trustees Control finances and property Legal representatives of the church May be Auxiliary Driven Can be Resistant to Change Can be prone to power struggles between Boards and the Pastor

4 HISTORY (THIS STORY) Dr. Johnson Era (The Moses Era) Church experienced growth and stability Community prominence Well known for fundraisers Influential in the community Mayor of the Town of Glenarden was Chair of Deacons Ministry Nurturing church Humble leadership Mentored and licensed young ministers Remained very traditional Leadership Transition The Death of Dr. Johnson One year without a Pastor Testimony The church grew in the one year period of being without a pastor

5 HISTORY (THIS STORY) CTD A New Era of Leadership (The Modern Day Joshua) December 1989 A New Pastor is Called to the FBCG Pastor John K. Jenkins becomes the 7 th Pastor of FBCG At 31 Years of Age! Raised in the FBCG Preaching since the age of 15 Served as pastor for 3 years in King George, Virginia The Transition Begins!!!

6 HISTORY (THIS STORY) CTD The Transition Begins Non-Traditional Approach Worship is Preeminent Biblical Principles must govern every aspect of church life Tithing vs. Fundraisers Leadership Standards and Accountability Ministries vs. Auxiliaries, Boards, Clubs and Committees Strong Emphasis on Discipleship and Evangelism Community Outreach is Required

7 Broader Vision Outreach to the Community Help the Homeless Feeding the Hungry Visiting Nursing Homes, Prisons, Supporting Shelters Street Witnessing Preparing to Lead others to Christ at any time and any place Preparing to engage family members and work associates Spirit of Collaboration with other churches Tent Crusades Jammin Against the Darkness Project Bridges Affiliation with a non-traditional denominational organization Baptist General Conference Reconciliation Church Planting

8 VISION (ctd) Teachings that are relevant and transformative Relevant, practical Bible Studies Financial Freedom classes Continuing Witness Training Institute in Basic Life Principles Establish and Strengthen Ministries that are relevant and transformative Men's Ministry Women's Ministry Youth Ministry Children Couples Ministry Singles Ministry Adoption Divorce Care Domestic Violence

9 VISION- Discipleship Discipleship becomes a way of life - 2 Timothy 2:2 Brothers In Discipleship Sisters In Discipleship Joshua's Anointed Generation Queen Esther etc Prayer Partners Daily time with God Personal accountability Spiritual disciplines

10 VISION- Leadership Development Leadership development is key and crucial (Exodus 18:13-27) Demonstrated Commitment to the vision is expected Regular worship attendance Bible study and prayer services Involved in a ministry Tithing Discipleship becomes important for certain levels of leadership Participation in Bible Institute Demonstrated commitment to grow spiritually Demonstrated ability to lead others to Christ Personal and family life observed Biblical standards apply Passionate about our faith Bold for the faith

11 ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE Must have an effective organizational structure (Exodus 18:13-27) Provides clear chain of command Every leader cannot report directly to the senior pastor Empowered leaders Accountability Evaluate leader effectiveness Don t just allow people to serve for a lifetime

12 LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT & ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE Exodus 18:13-27 And so it was, on the next day, that Moses sat to judge the people; and the people stood before Moses from morning until evening. So when Moses father-in-law saw all that he did for the people, he said, What is this thing that you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit, and all the people stand before you from morning until evening?

13 LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT & ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE And Moses said to his father-in-law, Because the people come to me to inquire of God. When they have a difficulty, they come to me, and I judge between one and another; and I make known the statutes of God and His laws. So Moses father-in-law said to him, The thing that you do is not good. Both you and these people who are with you will surely wear yourselves out. For this thing is too much for you; you are not able to perform it by yourself. Listen now to my voice; I will give you counsel, and God will be with you: Stand before God for the people, so that you may bring the difficulties to God. And you shall teach them the statutes and the laws, and show them the way in which they must walk and the work they must do.

14 LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT & ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. And let them judge the people at all times. Then it will be that every great matter they shall bring to you, but every small matter they themselves shall judge. So it will be easier for you, for they will bear the burden with you. If you do this thing, and God so commands you, then you will be able to endure, and all this people will also go to their place in peace.

15 LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT & ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE So Moses heeded the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he had said. And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people: rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. So they judged the people at all times; the hard cases they brought to Moses, but they judged every small case themselves. Then Moses let his father-in-law depart, and he went his way to his own land.

16 GOVERNANCE Governing Document(s) Constitution Bylaws Articles Organizational Structure Clear lines of authority Documented Operate consistent with structure Policies, Procedures and Practices What policies and procedures are needed to reinforce how you operate? Behavior Discipline

17 THE CONSTITUTION Our governing document is the church constitution Key components of the constitution consists of the following: Key leadership roles and responsibilities Clear designation of authority Clearly defined responsibilities for our pastor, the council of elders, the legal representation of the church, and clear direction for pastoral leadership succession, as well as the process to call a special business meeting, the appointment, discipline and removal of key leadership.

18 Succession and Emergency Strategies Succession is a natural part of life and leadership We must prepare Reasons succession may be needed: New Assignments Retirement Temporarily unable to perform duties Health Moral Failure Disability/Incapacitation Death

19 Succession Biblical Precedence for Succession Planning: Moses and Joshua Elijah and Elisha Jesus and His disciples Matthias succeeds Judas Succession Challenge: Isaac and his sons Don t wait too long Formalize the succession plan so it won t be manipulated

20 Succession Consideration Participants in the process Responsibility of the participants Succession process Advisors Unique considerations: Advisors Pulpit coverage Process for pastoral succession Care and compensation

21 Conclusion Write the Vision and Make it Plain! Embrace the vision Believe in leadership Teach before implementing Do not rush the process Leadership development and selection is key Let the will of the pastor be the will of the church! And May God get all the glory!

22 Conclusion Write the Vision and Make it Plain! Embrace the vision Believe in leadership Teach before implementing Do not rush the process Leadership development and selection is key Let the will of the pastor be the will of the church! And May God get all the glory!

23 Questions?

24 Reference Materials Constitution Organizational Charts Succession Planning Considerations

25 Organizational Structure - Governance

26 Ministry Organizational Structure

27 Staffing Organizational Structure

28 Succession Planning Considerations Develop a plan. Formalize the plan and have it signed by the legal church representatives. Establish clearly who has authority to lead and govern the church in the absence of the pastor and or other key leaders Establish a plan for how the church will function on a day to day basis in the absence of the pastor. Establish a plan for who will minister to the congregation in the absence of the pastor. Establish a plan for who will be tasked with managing the process for pastoral succession.

29 Succession Planning Considerations Establish a plan for what happens if the pastor is temporarily unable to perform his/her duties for any reason. Will someone advise the governing authorities on decisions needed or will the church act without outside input. Establish a plan for what happens if the pastor dies. Establish a plan for how the pastor will be cared for and compensated during short term and long term periods if incapacitated. Establish a plan for how the pastor s family will be compensated if the pastor is deceased.