Previously we established that boards, committees, and ministry teams need to focus on ministry, specifically that of making disciples, as commanded in the Great Commission.
To help church boards, committees, and ministry teams keep that kind of focus, they need to be held accountable, an accountability that goes beyond the expectations of the pastor or other church leaders. The Great Commission not only provides the focus but also a higher means of accountability.
Accountability to Keep the Focus of Church Boards, Committees, and Ministry Teams on Discipleship
1) Help them understand the One to whom they are ultimately responsible.
Boards, committees, and ministry teams have a responsibility to the pastor and other church leaders and even to members of the congregation, but ultimately they are responsible to the Lord. The Great Commission begins with Jesus saying, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples …” (Matt. 28:18-20).
2) Help them understand who should be the real Chair Person at their meetings.
Jesus ended the Great Commission with, “And surely I am with you always” (Matt. 28:18-20). This not only means that He sees everything done in our meetings, but also that He, the Head of the Church, should be directing every board, committee, or ministry team meeting. It should be about getting on page with the agenda He established.
It’s hard to imagine a board, committee, or ministry team with this sense of accountability not praying about what they do or not consulting His Word for guidance. Certainly they would remember Jesus words in John 15:5 —
I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
And, they would abide by Proverbs 3:5-6 —
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
If you emphasize these truths with members of the board, committee, ministry team, even making it a part of training, then you do not need to micro-manage them. You would still serve as a consultant and have some sort of reporting system in place but to keep them on track or to get them back on track, you would keep reminding them of these realities and train them to function like it is true.
Please Note: The content on this page is included in the Steering the Church Toward Discipleship Leadership Guide.
All Posts about Boards, Committees, Ministry Teams:
- Purpose in Boards, Committees & Ministry Teams
- Healthy Church Boards Exercise Body Life
- Agendas Versus Relationships
- Contributing in Committees, Boards, Ministry Teams
- Differences of Opinion Don’t Have to Divide
- Division of Responsibilities
- Boards, Committees & Ministry Teams Need Focus
- Boards, Committees & Ministry Teams Need Accountability
- Christ-like Boards, Committees, Ministry Teams: Purposeful
- Christ-like Boards, Committees, Ministry Teams: Servant-Oriented
- Christ-like Boards, Committees, Ministry Teams: Team-Oriented
- Christ-like Boards, Committees, Ministry Teams: Upward-Focused
- Christ-like Boards, Committees, Ministry Teams: Process-Oriented
- Effective Church Committees or Ministry Teams
- Understanding Needed about Team Members Contributing
- Christ-like Boards & Committees Possible Due to the Gospel
- Christ-like Boards & Committees Because of the Holy Spirit
- Pulling on Spiritual Gifts of Board, Committee, Team Members?
- Spiritual Gifts of a Board or Committee Chairperson
- Christ-like Boards & Committees a Result of Grace
- Coming Together Because of the Name of the Lord
- Christ-like Boards & Committees Keep His Word Central
- Overcoming Power for Church Boards and Committees
Hard for people to remember the part about Jesus being with them always when He’s not a physical presence.
Think about this, Pat: People who did actually see Jesus when He lived on this earth did not all believe Him, even with all the miracles He performed (Jn. 6:36). Think of His words to doubting Thomas who had to touch Jesus’ nail scarred hands and side in order to believe. He said, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (Jn. 20:24-29). It seems to me that gaining a sense of accountability that grows out of understanding His authority and presence is more something that our heart has to accept than what our eyes have to see.
Yet, this is a struggle for some more than others. Jesus would meet them where they are, just like He allowed Thomas to touch His scars. If you have a board, committee, or ministry team that struggles with this, perhaps you need to provide more discipleship efforts for them. Or, perhaps you might need to give them a physical reminder like establishing a practice in which a chair is left empty in every meeting at the head of the table to represent the Lord being there.