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Committees People Want to Join
Secrets to helping people actually enjoy committee and board assignments.
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We dreaded the meeting but attended once a month anyway. It always ran long. We usually went home frustrated. None of us, if we were honest, could say we enjoyed the meetings of our governing board. One night the issue was how to revitalize our worship services, which we all agreed were flat. Someone had argued at a previous session that the elders should "exercise some responsibility." The solution: we organized a committee and assigned an elder to be in charge. What happened? Nothing. Month after month, no report, no report, no report. The tension and pressure kept rising. Each meeting began to follow a pattern: After prayer we'd go directly into committee reports. Although scheduled, we'd get to old or new business only rarely. We would rehash each committee's report or, in the case of the worship committee, the nonreport. Bob, the chairman of the board, would make a speech lamenting comments gathered from parishioners who took him into their confidence that month. He'd report "some people" about to leave the church. Jim, the music director, would respond defensively, saying he receives only positive comments and is still waiting guidance from the worship committee. Bill, the worship committee chairman, would invariably have another explanation for why the committee was unable to meet or still wasn't ready to offer recommendations. Speeches would get louder and less subtle. And all this over how to worship the God of love. One night, as I pulled into the parking lot, I couldn't help but wonder, If we leaders of the church don't know how to be the church to each other as we do church business, where will we ever be the church? The Other ExtremeSome people react to the distasteful side of working within a church structure by avoiding the institutional responsibilities. Their involvement in church extends no further than worship and home Bible studies or support groups. Many people attracted to these relational groups want little to do with filling traditional roles in the church. They expect Sunday school and child care during the worship services. They enjoy hearing a choir and quality music. They'll participate in the church programs. But they don't want to get into the structure themselves. That doesn't "meet their needs." If a committee workhorse talked honestly with one of the relational types, the conversation might sound something like this: Charlie (the committee worker): I helped found this church and served as its chairman for ten years. I've seen Bible studies and young couples come and go. But the church and its programs continue. Frankly, I'm tired of people coming and taking, enjoying the benefits of the program, and never contributing. Ron (the relational person): Committees and bureaucratic offices leave me cold. I want to be in a group that shares needs and relates the Bible to what's going on in the real world. Hasn't the church grown since we've started so many small groups? |             |
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