CHURCH POLICY GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE

Hi All,

We have been in the process for the last couple of years of transitioning our church from an action-based Board model, to a policy governance structure. We have been helped by this through the Carver model of policy governance. The Policy Governance model as defined by the Carver website says this: "Policy Governance is an integrated set of concepts and principles that describes the job of any governing board. It outlines the manner in which boards can be successful in their servant-leadership role, as well as in their all-important relationship with management...." Let's put some flesh on that esoteric definition. For our church, this model is making a difference; let me tell you why.

First some background:
Most people are familiar with the '200 barrier' of church growth; not as many are aware of the '800 barrier'. While the 200 Barrier is all about moving from a single-celled church leadership to multi-celled, the 800 Barrier is about larger issues of leadership. Specifically, for a church to be pro-active and to have a long-range vision, they must move their Board from an action-based Board that works IN the church, to a policy-based Board that works ON the church. Now, there are other factors that have to happen to break through the 800-Barrier, but this leadership issue is one of them.

It basically means this: somebody has to tell the forest from the trees. If the leadership of the church (both pastor and board) are focused too much on the detailing of the ministry, they never get to step back and look at the big picture. In a policy-based governance model, the Board becomes much more responsible for helping to set the direction, policies, and major initiatives of the church. Other details such as starting up & recruiting for a ministry, or promoting and pushing 'the next big event', or worry too much about the facilities all distract from the primary function of a policy-based church board. I think you get the picture.

So what have we done about this? Our church of 700 has been operating with the same patch-work quilt of a By-Laws that they started with from day one with 100 people. So in order to develop new By-Laws, we first spent time on developing a policy-governance document for our church. It has four parts: 1st - It defines the Board's relationship with the Senior Pastor & any staff; 2nd - it defines the Board's relationship with the Congregation & individual members; 3rd - It defines the Board's relationship with itself; 4th - it clarifies the specific rules of operation within the Board.

One of the key guidelines, for example, is that the Board has only one employee: the Senior Pastor. The other Staff have no policy-based relationship with the Board. The Board does not oversee the Staff; the Senior Pastor or his designee does that. The Staff do not report to the Board, the Senior Pastor does. All of this simplifies the direction and planning for the church. It also enhances the Senior Pastor's role and authority with the Staff. They are accountable to him; he hires and fires; it diminishes much of the politics out of staff-board relationships.

So, we developed our policy-governance manual. We had this approved by the Board. Then, having gained their acceptance of the general direction, we worked for the next year on redesigning the By-Laws to match the policy-governance model. We are now in the process of presenting it to the congregation for approval this December. So far so good.

That's how we are growing in terms of our infrastructure. If you have 'functional structures' according to the Natural Church Development survey, you have one of eight key planks in place for growth. This move to a policy-based governance model is one of those functional structures which we have found important in keep the growth and direction of our church on track.

That's all for now.
In Christ,

Dr. Bill