Setting a Spiritual Foundation
for the Congregation
by Rev. Bill Zelazny, District Executive
Board work should not be just a mechanical activity of plowing through tasks. It is a ministry that can, as Larry Peers, UU minister and Alban Institute consultant notes, be an “arena for congregational renewal and revitalization.” Leaders that move beyond doing just business into using our faith as a foundation for administrative work can impact the whole church. The congregation, following the leadership, can be transformed into a spiritually-centered community. However, to do this Peers cautions that a board must engage in some spiritually focused new behaviors and be diligent in adhering to the new perspective about its work.*
- Begin the meeting with a time of prayer, meditation, or reflection, not as just one more agenda item to check off, but as a way to set the tone and context by reminding members that its work is sacred.
- Provide time for a board member to share briefly some highlights of her own faith journey or what this congregation means to him/her. This can help members have a deeper understanding of one another and again point out the faith foundation for their work.
- Recognize that some significant decisions require time for reflection and interpretation in the context. Rather than moving from identifying a problem to quickly determining a solution ask some important questions: Who are we? What are we here for? How does our faith tradition inform this decision? How do we interpret this decision in light of our mission statement?
- Advocate for an idea—but also be willing to be influenced. A balance between advocacy and a willingness to be influenced by others’ experience provides an atmosphere of dialogue that can enrich decision making.
- Pause for reflection before or after a decision. Pausing before or after a decision is made, rather than rushing on to the next agenda item, allows members to put the action into a meaningful faith-founded context.
Leading a congregation is more than just making decisions. It is about setting a tone for its life. A spiritual tone in the board can transform a congregation.
* From the Alban Weekly, 9/19/2005, “Preventing Burnout in Board Members”