Welcome to Lessons From the Nonprofit Boardroom Blog, a 40-week journey through the new book, Lessons From the Nonprofit Boardroom, by Dan Busby and John Pearson. Each Wednesday, we're featuring a guest writer’s favorite snippet from the week's topic. Stephen Macchia is our guest blogger this week for the first of four lessons in "Part 4: Epiphanies in the Boardroom.”
LESSON 11 OF 40 - Tap! Tap! Tap!
When the Spirit nudges your board, does He hear a busy signal?THE BIG IDEA FROM THE BOOK: In Lesson 11, we are challenged to remain prayerful and attentive to the fresh movements of God’s Spirit in all aspects of our board relationships and specifically our meetings. And, we are reminded that God is an initiating God, who is tapping on the shoulders of our heart at all times.
As a board, the more we are willing to look to God in prayer, the more we will remain united in relationship, mission, and service to the body of Christ. Healthy boards know that it’s best to remain mindful of God, especially when they meet together as brothers and sisters in Christ.
This lesson is critical to the spiritual vitality of any Christian ministry board. It’s the most essential ingredient and yet the most frequently ignored. Prayerfully reflect together on this important lesson and consider God’s invitation as a team.
MY FAVORITE INSIGHTS from Lesson 11, pages 54-58:
• “When the Spirit nudges your board, does He hear a busy signal?”
• “The nudge of the Holy Spirit is the ‘Tap! Tap! Tap!’ of the Spirit on our hearts.” (Stephen A. Macchia)
• “Share prayers of thanksgiving to celebrate God’s hand in achieving a significant goal. The arms of your CEO may be weary. Pray after your board hears the CEO’s report or when you sense the load is heavy.”
• “When a board prays regularly, sincerely, and specifically during board meetings, God will answer these prayers and He will be glorified.”
MY COLOR COMMENTARY:
By far the most important role of any ministry board is to learn how to discern the fresh, empowering presence of the Spirit. This is not something most leaders are accustomed to, unfortunately. Instead, we live most of our days functioning on our human strength, insight, and decisiveness. We may begin or end our day with a short time in Scripture and in prayer, but the rest of our day—we are in the driver’s seat.
So it is with boards led by well-meaning, gracious-hearted, thought-provoking leaders. But, without a continual dependence upon God, we ultimately shift toward human wisdom and without meaning any harm, we end up missing the “tap, tap, tap” of God’s Spirit. It’s the “tap” that’s most important! That’s God at work, and we don’t want to miss His presence, power, direction, and peace.
As you reflect on the significance of this chapter, ask yourself and your board “when was the last time we were totally dependent upon God?” As you sit with that question, consider how to posture your meetings toward attending to the Spirit and responding to His loving initiatives.
THIS WEEK’S QUOTES & COMMENTARY BY STEPHEN A. MACCHIA:
Stephen A. Macchia is Founder and President of Leadership Transformations, Inc. and the Director of the Pierce Center for Disciple-Building at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He is the author of 12 books, including the Baker best-seller, Becoming A Healthy Church, as well as Crafting A Rule of Life, and Broken and Whole, both with IVP.
TO-DO TODAY:
• What is the state of your soul and how are you growing in reliance upon the Spirit of God in your personal life? Do you have a prayer closet where you frequently practice silence and solitude, discerning the presence, power, and peace of Christ?
• Become the “Tap! Tap! Tap!” member of your ministry board team and remind your colleagues and friends to pause often throughout your next meeting and attend to the fresh move of God’s Spirit together. Your board experience will never be the same!
NEXT WEDNESDAY:
On Feb. 7, 2018, watch for Mike Pate's commentary on Lesson 12, "Vision Growth Must Equal Leader Growth. Caution! Vision-casting often backfires."
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