#1 Governance Rule for the Elder Board Plus 9 Other Rules
THE GOVERNANCE ROLE OF THE ELDER BOARD
I’m not addressing the biblical qualifications or the biblical spiritual duties of the elders other than the one task of overseeing, that is, the practical governance of the church.
The general responsibility of oversight as “overseers” is not biblically spelled out with much specificity as how that is to be done, so wisdom is vital when getting definitive with governance.
Assumptions:
(1)The board is comprised of the lead pastor who is the “leader among equals” much like James in the Jerusalem church (Acts 15) and a plurality of unpaid lay elders.
(2)The lead pastor is called to his role by the congregation and accountable to the lay elders on the board after his calling.
(3)The lay elders are approved by vote of the church membership.
(4)The lead pastor may be removed by a recommendation of the lay elders to the church membership for their vote determining termination.
(5)The paid staff report to the lead pastor or his designate, not the elder board.
(6)The lead pastor hires and de-hires staff with elder board approval.
(7)The elder board may remove a lay elder without congregational approval.
The #1 rule for church elder boards to follow that make for an efficient functioning church polity with the least amount of conflict
#1 Mission Fulfillment
The primary responsibility of the elder board to make sure the church is fulfilling its mission and vision serving as the highest human authority of the local body of Christ. Ask, “What are we addressing in this meeting to keep the church “on mission” and “values active.”
9 other rules for church elder boards to follow that make for an efficient functioning church polity with the least amount of conflict
#2 Address the “What”
The elder board is to stay in its lane of responsibility of “what” the church is to do and stay out of the lane of “how” it is to be done which is the responsibility of the lead pastor and staff. The board intentionally avoids entanglements in the day to day operations of the church.
#3 No Individual Elder Authority
The elder board functions with authority as a whole board, no oversight authority in the church as an individual unless delegated by the whole board.
#4 Lead Pastor Affirmation
The elder board is to determine if the lead pastor is the right man God has for the church. If he is, support his role as the primary vision caster for the church with accountability to the board. If he is not right for the church, seek a loving transition for the benefit of the lead pastor and the church.
#5 Lead Pastor Accountability
The elder board is to establish clear written policies of boundaries for the lead pastor and hold him accountable to them.
#6 Financial Wellbeing
The elder board is to assure the fiscal health of the church by implimenting and enforcing clear policies to that end.
#7 Personnel Committee
The elder board is to serve as the personnel committee determining staff remuneration with input from the lead pastor and be a wise confidential sounding board to the lead pastor on staff issues.
#8 Qualified Elder Board
The elder board is to guard the gate to assure only those who are qualified get on the board and self-manage by removing any among themselves who no longer qualify.
#9 Long Range Planning
The elder board is to do long range planning with the lead pastor and any staff he recommends.
#10 Church Unity
The elder board is to be a reliable force of unity in the congregation.