It’s annual meeting season – many churches have annual meetings in January and February. You may have already had yours, or it may be coming up this week.
Rather than rejoicing or tearing your hair out, use the annual meeting as an opportunity for research. If you’ve been at your church for a while, think about the annual meetings you’ve taken part in over the years. What patterns do you notice?
Here are several questions to ask. If you’ve had your meeting, review what happened. If it’s still to come, see what you can notice during the meeting.
1. Are differences welcomed or discouraged?
2. Are the most mature leaders elected to key positions?
3. Do people define themselves clearly: “I think,” “I believe?”
4. What goes on in you during the meeting, especially if differences arise? How anxious do you get?
5. What is the connection between the church’s vision and what goes on at the meeting?
6. How does the discussion of budget and other financial matters go? Is it serious/anxious, or light?
7. Is there a spirit of celebration? Does anybody have a good time?
Margaret Marcuson
Shirley, fantastic. What a great model.
Shirley Geisler
Our interim pastor a few years ago helped us get our Annual Meetings to be “celebratory” in nature. The only item of business is usually a vote on the budget, but it is simply a vote. The budget is presented in late fall. Opportunity is given for questions at several times prior to the Annual Meeting; the finance committee moves and seconds a vote on the budget and it’s simply “up” or “down”. No more discussion.
We celebrate the good work being done with few oral reports. All reports are written and in a book for the people to take with them. We have a little food and all seem to have a good time.