Dear People of the Northwest Intermountain Synod,
For many among us, the summer season provides a break in the normal routine. In congregations and other ministry sites, many committees and programs pause or slow down their activity (and others might increase). It also tends to be a time for planning for the future. All this makes summer an ideal time for leaders to tend to some basic “committee work,” or (re)establishing foundational practices and principles for the mutual work the group or committee is about. Here are some helpful points to consider:
Agree upon ground rules for how the group or committee is going to function. The Kaleidoscope Institute Toolkit, particularly their Respectful Communication Guidelines and Mutual Invitation, have proven helpful to many. Other helpful ground rules are things like:
Start each meeting with prayer, or a spiritual practice. Dwelling in the Word, which I wrote about in the 7-15-24 Enews, is my preferred way to begin.
Have an agenda for each meeting (and stick to it).
Start and end meetings on time.
Each member comes prepared.
Discuss and agree upon how decisions are made before any decision has been made. Is the committee or group going to vote on decisions? If so, does simple majority rule? Or is a higher threshold set? Will the committee function by consensus?
Clarify the purpose(s) of the committee or group, and make sure each member understands and agrees that it is the group's purpose(s). For some committees and groups, this will be straightforward. For others, it may take some conversation. Then, revisit this from time to time to ensure the committee or group is staying on track.
Clarify and agree upon roles within the group. Who is chair of the meetings? Is it important to keep notes/minutes, if so, who does that? Are there any other roles that make sense for this group or committee? Again, in some instances this is more cut and dry. It's built into the council's structure, for example. For other groups, it's less clear. Establishing and agreeing upon roles early benefits the long-term functioning and effectiveness of any committee or group.
People of the Northwest Intermountain Synod, we are finding ourselves in an increasingly polarized society. In the midst of such times, it is important to be intentional and thoughtful about how we are together. And it is an opportunity for the church to bear witness to a different way to be together. Tending to these aspects of basic committee work can help enable the church to be just that. As people of God, we are encouraged to:
Blessings on your summer and your walking together,
Pastor Phil Misner