Importance of People Decisions
- Memorable biblical stories highlight God choosing people for assignments (Moses, Gideon, David, Esther, Paul).
- People → not plans or products → are the source of organisational success.
- Choosing the right board members is among the most critical ministry decisions.
- Requires diligence, prayer, and faith.
- Example: Jesus prayed all night before choosing the twelve apostles (Luke 6:12–13).
Common Misconceptions in Selection
- Unrealistic expectations (e.g., wealthy, endlessly wise, memorised Scripture).
- Need to stay grounded in reality and Scripture (Psalm 4: set feet on solid ground).
Biblical Models of Selection
- God chooses directly (e.g., Moses, Paul).
- God directs men to choose (e.g., Samuel anoints David).
- Men choose men using set criteria (e.g., Acts 6, choosing administrators).
- Application: Ministries should develop a clear list of desired qualities for board members.
Four Broad Categories of Qualities
- Foundational (non-negotiables)
- Mission alignment.
- Independence, fairness, objectivity.
- Courage to make tough decisions.
- Spiritual maturity (biblical leadership standards).
2. Capacity & Commitment
- Time availability.
- An honest and accurate job description is needed to count the cost.
3. Interpersonal Qualities
- Ability to work with others, humility, and cooperation.
- Importance of checking references (interviews can be deceiving).
4. Technical Expertise
- Law, finance, pastoral, or business leadership.
- Not for free services, but to add perspective to board deliberations.
- Some expertise may be better sourced via consultants/advisory boards.
Practical Applications
- Work with the board to refine and review the attribute list.
- Discuss: What’s missing? What should be removed? What needs rewording?
- Written attribute list = powerful tool (used in corporate and biblical contexts).
Closing Thought
- Blessing to leaders as they fine-tune descriptions of their ideal board members.