

Don’t let a committee kill your dream of expanding your ministry! I cannot tell you the number of times I have talked to a pastor with a dream of expanding his ministry only to have a committee kill that dream with questions, hesitations and road blocks. Committees are designed to enhance ministry not kill it. Yet the old joke of the ministry is that if you want something killed give it to a committee.
Why is it that smart business people who take risks all day long in their business fail to see a step of faith as just that, a step of faith? I see this all the time, smart people are put onto committees and then they seemingly check their brains at the door when it comes time to make a decision for their church. They get overly cautious and often miss the window of opportunity that God has placed in their path.
I doubt there is a pastor or church staff member reading this now that is not saying, Amen! However the reality for many is that you have to work with committees. Committees can be frustrating but they can also be a great aide to us in our ministries. Properly used committees can also help move the rest of the congregation to accept whatever proposal is being presented. For many of you working with committees is not an option. If you are in that camp here are some recommendations on how to work with a committee if you are thinking about a project and campaign to support it.
How to Successfully Work With Building Committees – Here are my suggestions based not only on 20 years as a Senior Pastor but with over 16 years of dealing with churches and their various committees across America.
While the above might not settle every issue you face with committees it could help pave the way for your next decision. For many pastors and church leaders working with committees is a mandate we cannot ignore. You have no choice in the matter. You do however have a choice in how you work with those committees.
Using the above points will help you have a committee that works with you not against you. Let’s see committees as the enhancers of a dream not the killers of a dream!
Mark Brooks – The Stewardship Coach