Serving as a chairperson on a committee can either be one of the most rewarding or frustrating experiences of your Christian life. Committees are necessary for the proper administration of the church's affairs. Some issues are too complex, and perhaps, too delicate to discuss in open business meeting. Other issues take more time to resolve than the entire church can devote to its resolution. Therefore, most churches choose to have committees discuss the issues and present their recommendations to the church to vote.

Every committee will have difficulties, misunderstandings, and conflict! Why? A committee is made up with people. What are your expectations? Although you know that you will not avoid all problems, you can minimize them with good leadership. You can avoid many problems with clear communication of boundaries and expectations and with an effort to create a pleasant atmosphere.

Boundaries

Robert Frost said: "Fences make good neighbors." Boundaries are necessary for a civilized society or a church to properly function.

Authority of the chairperson

One chairperson described her role to me in this way: "I raise an issue, listen carefully to the members of the committee, then decide what the church should do." She had a very inadequate view of her role. Simply stated, the role of the chairperson is to protect the right of the minority to participate and the right of the majority to rule. She must be a fair, honest, and respected member of the church. She guides the group, yet never controls it.

The chairperson is responsible to set an agenda for a meeting and keep the members "on track." She maintains proper decorum, but cannot impose discipline on members. If a member is disruptive, the chairperson should report the conduct to the moderator of the church and the church can "deal with the problem" in business meeting. The chairperson need not enter debate or vote. She may however, vote to break a tie or force a tie. Forcing a tie defeats the motion since it takes a majority to carry a simple motion.

Authority of the committee

A committee must submit to the Church constitution, bylaws, and policies. It must act within the budget and official calendar. Further, it must not engage in any acts that are illegal, immoral or unbiblical.

It seldom makes decisions, rather, its function is to recommend to the church in its business meeting. The church usually adopts the recommendations and reports of a committee. However, it reserves the final authority for the business meeting.

Churches often refer a matter to a committee. The committee cannot amend or alter the motion. It may recommend that the church adopt or defeat the motion, or offer a substitute motion. Occasionally the church asks a committee to study and decide an issue for them. A committee then acts with the full authority of the church body under these circumstances.

A report or recommendation reflects the views of the committee. It is not official church action unless the church "adopts" it. "Receiving" or "approving" it does not make it the will of the church.

Expectations

Agendas

The church expects the committee to seek to do the will of God. Individual agendas have no place in committee work. Members must conduct themselves with a high level of spirituality, ethics and human compassion. Members must always have the attitude of Jesus when He prayed: "nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done." Luke 22:42b

Unity & Confidentiality

Members shall not communicate the activity or discussion of the committee in any other form than the official reports and motions of the committee. The meetings are confidential. Everyone should speak freely without fear that others will quote their comments out of context.

The voice of the committee should be unified. After a vote, the majority rules and the minority must submit. Occasionally it is appropriate to bring a "minority report" to the business meeting. The minority may speak against a motion or report if the committee agreed to allow it, or if the church passes a motion agreeing to hear it while in business meeting.

Cooperation

There are times that two committees share jurisdiction in an issue. A typical example is staff compensation. The personnel committee is responsible to recommend a salary package and the Stewardship committee is responsible to recommend a budget. The church expects that those concerned put out their best effort to cooperate with each another. The personnel committee may not be able to fully explain their recommendation, because of constraints of confidentiality, but should express as much as possible to the Stewardship Committee.

A committee and a staff member may share jurisdiction in an issue. A typical example of this is the furnishing of an office. The Stewardship committee is responsible to recommend an allocation of money. The Building and Grounds committee will help assemble furniture and attach bookcases to the wall. However, the staff member will be working in the office. In this example, the two committees and the staff member need to cooperate with each other.

Atmosphere

Serving the Lord on a committee can be pleasant and productive at the same time. The chairperson will set the tone for the meeting. Take some time in the meeting to build relationships. Get to know each another and enjoy the fellowship that comes from serving the Lord together. Begin your meeting with a circle of prayer. Lift each another up. Remember that church people are more important than church problems.

* Be pleasant. Be as informal in your discussion as the issue allows. If you can accomplish your agenda by consensus, do it. You do not have to have formal motions with a second and a vote on every issue. If there is agreement, ask: "Is there any opposition to the motion? . . . if not, we will recommend it to the church."

* Be productive. Don't let the pleasant nature keep it from being a productive meeting. Keep the meeting moving.

* Be punctual. Start on time, stop on time. Your members are investing their time, don't waste it. 

* Be prayerful. Prayer is the key to knowing the mind of Christ. You should start each meeting with prayer and conduct it so that it can comfortably end in prayer. If necessary, pause in the midst of a discussion for prayer.

Remember, it is the Lord's business you are discussing. He wants it done "decently and in order. (1 Cor 14:40b) These principles will help you accomplish your tasks and bring Glory to God.