New Zealand District | April 20, 2013 Board Integrity Matters: Embracing Tension and Transitions

Why focus on boards? INTEGRITY. BOARD INTEGRITY MATTERS! “ In the long run, only integrity matters. In fact, without integrity, there will not be a long run. “ Packer Thomas Certified Public Accountants and Business Consultants, Ohio, USA

Why focus on boards (and board members)? “ I simply want on my tombstone, here lies a man of integrity ” * Ted Engstrom, board chair emeritus, Azuza Pacific University, and former president of World Vision *Honesty. Consistency. Coherency. The same inside and outside. The number one trait people want in leaders.

Why focus on boards? Boards address strategic missional and governance issues facing the churches, mission organizations, colleges or seminaries in periods of accelerated transitions and change. Boards determine the levels of efficiency and effectiveness needed to “govern diligently” [Romans 12:8c NIV]

How does the Pastor lead the governing board with integrity toward mission in the midst of honest and intense differences on the board?

Result: Pain and Tension The Joy and Pain of Leadership

Good and godly people most often collide over TRADITIONS, VISION, and VALUES in the faith community.

How do we live and LEAD with the mind of Christ?

How does my testimony of holiness of heart and life translate to the way I live and lead with integrity a governing board? The Big Question:

anchors or convictions 7

11 Anchor # 1: SPEAK GRACEFULLY ISSUE: “Watch the words we speak” PRINCIPLE Words we speak can bless or “destroy” people.

As leaders, through the WORDS we use, we either: Encourage or discourage; Lift them up or put them down; Speak positively or negatively about them; Value or “de-value” them; Focus on them or focus on self.

“How do others feel when they leave my presence?” Stronger or weaker? Larger or smaller? Confident or “scared”? Understood or misunderstood? Affirmed or manipulated? Blessed or “destroyed”?

PRAISE to CRITICISM ratio: 80-90% praise or positive statements 10-20% criticism or negative statements Sven Wahlroos, FAMILY COMMUNICATION.

Consider these Questions… 1. Does what I say build up or tear down the other? 2. Would I say what I am saying directly to the person involved? 3. Do I know all the facts or am I responding on the basis of half-truths or partial facts? 4. Is my response triggered more by emotion than by reason? 5. Can the situation be seen from a different perspective? 6. Have I tried to accept the feelings of the other person and understand why the person feels the way he or she does?

Communication is perhaps the greatest single factor affecting one’s personal health and his/her relationship to God and individuals. I Need You. I Love You. I Accept You. I Trust You. I Respect You. I Serve You. Words have the power to heal and to affirm!

ISSUE: Comparison is the root of inferiority PRINCIPLE: “Don’t whine- be grateful” Anchor # 2: LIVE GRATEFULLY

COMPARISON can eat us alive… and rob us of joy, relationships, confidence and peace. It saps our energy and drains us of enthusiasm.

GRATITUDE is the “life-giving” antidote to the negative impact of comparison.

Theological vision (what I believe about people / what I “see” in them) precedes organizational vision. (What I want for the church, district, field or region.) “God, please give me Your eyes and ears to really ‘see’ and ‘hear’ the people with whom I work.”

21 ISSUE: “Seek first to understand” PRINCIPLE: Understanding, not agreement, is the key to conflict management Anchor # 3: LISTEN INTENTLY

Listening as Spiritual Hospitality To listen is very hard, because it asks of us so much interior stability that we no longer need to prove ourselves by speeches, arguments, statements, or declarations. True listeners no longer have an inner need to make their presence known. They are free to receive, to welcome, to accept. Listening is much more than allowing another to talk while waiting for a chance to respond. Listening is paying full attention to others…. The beauty of listening is that, those who are listened to start feeling accepted, start taking their words more seriously…. Listening is a form of spiritual hospitality by which you invite strangers to become friends…. Henry J. H. Nouwen Society Daily Devotional, March 12, 2013

Growth inhibiting questions: “Why me?” “What if…?” Growth producing questions: “What can I learn?” “How can I change?”

24 Anchor # 4: FORGIVE FREELY ISSUE: Be proactive in extending forgiveness PRINCIPLE: A spirit of forgiveness transforms and empowers leaders

Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” Luke 23:34 (NIV)

26 “ GREAT LEADERS, ” we are told, “are shapedin the most challenging and difficult times.” “are shaped in the most challenging and difficult times.”

27 Anchor # 5: LEAD DECISIVELY ISSUE: Christian leaders combine deep humility, clear vision,and fierce resolve PRINCIPLE: Our holiness testimony is reflected in and through the way we make and implement board decisions

Video Clip and discussion Video #2Video #2: Best Practice Number One: “Board Members understand the role, purpose, and function of the board.”

If decisive leaders and forward looking boards are to move from the preferred vision to achieved results, they must give passionate attention to the leadership roles of: Dreaming and planning Organizing and administering Motivating and encouraging Evaluating and reviewing

1. Understand your Mission: OVERARCHING MISSION STATEMENT 3. Develop your Goals: PERSONAL/ PROFESSIONAL GROWTH GOALS 2. Asses your Situations: SITUATION ASSESSMENT Continually review and revise your strategy: REVIEW AND REVISE 4. Implement your plan: COMPREHENSIVE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN PLANNING CYCLE

DON’T OVERLOOK… BEGIN WITH A PERSONAL MISSION STATEMENT. MY MOST RECENT STATEMENT AT BoardServe.Org Click BLOG tab. Type: Personal Mission Statement

Characteristics of Effective Boards #1. Board members understand the role, purpose and function of the board. “HEAD IN, FINGERS OUT.” #2. Board members know, communicate, and make decisions in light of the organization’s mission, vision, and values. “MISSION AND VISION DRIVE US.” #3. Board members ask the right questions. “THINK QUESTIONS.”

#4. Board members understand and embrace a board policy manual that contains the board-approved policies for effective governance of the organization. “WRITE IT DOWN.” #5. Board members communicate with each other and address conflict situations as Christians. “WATCH YOUR WORDS.” #6.Board members relate to their leaders and constituency with one voice. “STRONG BOARDS EMPOWER EFFECTIVE LEADERS.”

#7. Board members intentionally engage in mutual accountability, including systematic board development and evaluation. “INTEGRITY MATTERS.” #8. Board members take time to process decisions, with no intentional surprises. “TAKE TIME.” #9. Board members embrace change and resolve to work through transitions together, and unite for the good of the Kingdom and the advancement of God’s mission. “YES! TO MISSIONAL CHANGE.”

#10. Board members participate in assessing the effectiveness of prior decisions and collectively make appropriate adjustments. “REVIEW/REVISE/REDIRECT/RENEW.” #11. Board members are outstanding examples of giving regularly and sacrificially to the church, college, or organization they serve. “ROLE MEMBERS OF GENEROSITY AND STEWARDSHIP.” #12. Board members develop new leaders for increased responsibilities and commitment to the organization. “PASS IT ON.”

We move ahead -- decisively – through: Prayer, with them, for them, and for “me” as leader; Collaboration, involving them when and where we can in the process; and with gratitude, thanking God, and “them” for their gifts, talents, abilities and testimony of faith.

To lead decisively with Christian humility, leaders continue to develop and nurture: Listening and communicating skills, Timing and processing skills, Affirming and encouraging skills, Asking and Inquiring skills, “Gift” discernment Delegation skills.

Plan for a BOARD SURVEY Strong and effective boards intentionally engage in mutual accountability, including systematic board development and evaluation (how are WE doing?). See Appendix 9 in text

39 Anchor # 6: LOVE DEEPLY ISSUE: Value people not power (or position) PRINCIPLE: The evidence of leadership is seen in the lives of the followers

Focus on the things that UNITE us, not divide us.

“Inspired and Inspiring Boards…” 1. PAY ATTENTION…TO MACRO AND MICRO ISSUES 2. PERSONALIZE RECOGNITION OF LEADERS AND FOLLOWERS 3. COMMUNICATE! COMMUNICATE! COMMUNICATE! 4. TELL THE STORY…WELL AND OFTEN 5. CELEBRATE TOGETHER…WITH GRATITUDE AND ANTICIPATION 6. SET THE EXAMPLE Adopted from the book, ENCOURAGING THE HEART by James Kouzes and Barry Posner

A Big leadership question for boards How can our ministry of leadership on boards enable others to fulfill their ministry to each other and their mission in the world in the context of a dynamic laboratory of learning how to live together as God’s children?

“Leaders with the mind of Christ seek to humbly lead others, for the purpose of inspiring and enabling them, through teaching, collaboration, and example, to live their lives under the Lordship of Christ, and to understand, accept, and fulfill their ministry to each other, their vocational mandate, and their mission in the world.” E. LeBron Fairbanks

44 Anchor # 7: PRAY EARNESTLY ISSUE: Some issues are resolved only through prayer and dependence on God PRINCIPLE: Recognize that God can work in us to become the change we desire to see in others

45 In the midst of experiencing honest and intense differences between good and godly people, In the midst of experiencing honest and intense differences between good and godly people, the “pray-er” can be changed and transformed! the “pray-er” can be changed and transformed!

REMEMBER “LEADING FOR CHANGE IS NOT THE SAME AS THE EXERCISE OF POWER.”

How does the Pastor lead the governing board with integrity toward mission in the midst of honest and intense differences on the board?

Christian servant leaders and boards: 1. Speak Gracefully.Watch the words you speak. 2. Live Gratefully. Don’t whine, be grateful. 3. Listen Intently. Seek first to understand. 4. Forgive Freely. Be proactive in extending forgiveness. 5. Lead Decisively. Combine deep humility and clear vision with fierce resolve. 6. Love Deeply. Value people, not power. 7. Pray Earnestly. Become the change you desire to see in others.

or renew passion? vision? big goal?,

“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ.” Philippians 1:27 This is the spirit of holiness: Live and lead with the mind of Christ.

New Zealand District | April 20, 2013 Board Integrity Matters: Embracing Tension and Transitions

BoardServe.Org Edward LeBron Fairbanks founding director Click on Writings Tab Scroll to bottom of list