H. B. London, VP Pastoral Ministries for Focus on the Family offers these sage words of wisdom for pastors and leaders about meetings…
- People and their time are valuable. Do not waste either. Begin on time!!
- It is vital that the right people are in the meeting. Decision makers and implementers are crucial.
- Most meetings last too long. Strip down the agenda to cover what needs to be addressed. Be careful with non-agenda suggestions.
- Never go into a meeting unprepared. That is when leaders get surprised. Be alert!
- Do not neglect the significance of a prayerful beginning to each meeting.
- Whatever you do don’t die on every hill. Some things just do not matter.
- Have a printed agenda — and, in most cases, it should be distributed beforehand
- Where there is an issue to be debated, make sure you have addressed that issue with “power people” before the meeting begins.
- Do everything you can to keep voice levels and attitudes on an even keel. Once you ring the “bell of discord,” it can never be re-rung. Know when to hold and when to fold.
- Your attitude will be essential. Be a leader. Know your parameters. Don’t say things you will regret later.
- If you have committees reporting, make sure the chairman is prepared, or do not present the report.
- Never introduce a new idea without having run that idea by trusted colleagues or leaders. Don’t despair if your new idea is not greeted with enthusiasm. Keep moving forward.
- Food and drink may add a little extra time to each meeting — but fellowship is a great way to diffuse conflict. Laughter is a leveler.
- The items that are significant should be handled first or you could be accused of attempting to “push things through.”
- If you have a “power player” in your organization, do all you can to befriend him or her. In the end, most decisions will go through him or her.
- Don’t have so many meetings.
Pastor’s Weekly Briefing 2/22/08