Question > Grumpy Church Leadership? Just Say No!

QUESTION RECEIVED:

At the end of our council meetings, we set the date to meet next month - as this juncture - those who have prior commitments that date - advise us of such - when the date rolls around, people who last month had no prior commitment and had agreed to meet on that date, all of a sudden, has "something", that "came up.  This is frustrating and hurting the church.

Why can’t people honor their commitments to their church?

Yes I have frustration with people who cannot honor commitments.

There can be many reasons.

Were the wrong people chosen?

Most work problems I feel are personnel problems.

Are the meetings scheduled at the wrong times.

Have you tried scheduling before church services?

Are personnel picked by popularity or having the same families?

Is old Mr. X always on the council because he is always on a council and that includes putting him on even when he cannot serve after a hip replacement?

Here is some biblical principles that can help your council and church.

Father figures cannot annoy or gripe children into obedience.

Ephesians 6:4  (NKJV)

4 And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

Edification I think is a key approach.

Identify the problem and not by negativity.

Build up people and look for practical solutions with biblical support.

Get the right people on board with clear biblical goals for your church council.

Ephesians 4:29-32 (NKJV)

29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.