|
 In
the absence or elders, church business meetings can literally
get to be something else! — and all to often they do. They can
get to be occasions for mostly social visiting and discussing
personal business. Or, they can get to be little more than
gossip sessions for the broadcasting of surmisings and hear-say
that would be better left unsaid. Others start well but
deteriorate into gripe sessions for airing petty grievances and
complaining about all that is wrong with the local church and
its members. And, sad to say, the business meeting is sometime
transformed into an arena in which feuding brethren bite and
devour one another. Who can deny the casualties of such
gatherings? The Lord’s work is made to suffer, weak brethren
become disillusioned, others become embittered, frustrated,
depressed and heartbreakingly discouraged. No doubt the seeds of
much division have been sown in such meetings. Little wonder so
many brethren get the “business meeting blues”.
But
I wonder if the business meeting itself is the real culprit? Its
Intended purpose is not only good, it is needful. The business
of the church must be cared for and it certainly deserves the
most careful consideration, planning and decisions. Those
who forget the serious purpose of such meetings are asking for
problems. In fact, we may unwittingly be inviting most of the
problems that plauge our business meetings.
For
instance, we invite problems when we conduct meetings without a
planned agenda. I know of some churches that will not discuss
any item of business that has not been submitted in writing at
least a week
|
|
prior to the meeting. An agenda keeps the
meeting “on track”. Knowing what will be considered gives
time for deliberation and avoids hasty decisions from “off the
top of the head” that may be later regretted. Following an
agenda also avoids these surprise “bomb-shells” known to
have been dropped in some such meetings (Like, “I think we
ought to fire the preacher.”).
Other
problems could be avoided by the presiding “chairman”
selected to lead the meeting. It is up to him to maintain order
(1 Cor. 14:40) with dignity. Asking every man present to state
his views on every subject is asking for trouble. Such opinions
are not essential to decisions and often promote
misunderstandings and disagreements. Free discussion must be
allowed, to be sure, but none should be compelled to comment on
everything. (nor, should feel the necessity of doing so).
Anything
worthy of discussion in such a meeting is something that
deserves hearing and consideration. If I’m “agin’
it” it should be for good reason and not from bad attitude or
prejudice. Comments or objections of others merit the same
attention as mine. Hopefully, however, the younger Christians
will give deference to the experience and maturity of their
older brethren. Finally, the plans and decisions from such
meetings should be made known to the whole church as they too
have an interest in these matters. Doing these things for a
starter may help to change the blues to blessings. Dan S.
Shipley
[Previous
Article] [Next
Article]
|
