Board Governance

articles by BFL Executive Director, Tom Lothamer
published in At the Center magazine

Developing Standards for Excellence, Spring 2002. As our PCCs mature and achieve a measure of success, veteran board members and directors may be tempted to rest on past laurels. We may become entrenched, unwilling to reevaluate old programs and reluctant to venture into new ones. The stagnant status quo breeds mediocrity.

Building a Foundation of Prayer for Your Board of Directors, Autumn 2004. In many Christian organizations, only a few moments at the beginning and end of a board meeting are given to prayer. Boards generally have so much to accomplish that they feel they must say a brief prayer and quickly get down to business. By not spending a significant amount of time in prayer, boards are missing one of the greatest opportunities for fellowship with the Lord and each other.

The Board Chairman's Role, Winter 2005. As I go from one PCC to another, I often find board chairmen who play out their roles in one of two extremes. They are either too passive, not providing desperately needed leadership, or too aggressive, trying to be the "boss" of the ministry.

Doing My Part, Spring/Summer 2005. Yes, there are occasions-particularly when a center is very new or very small-when necessity may require some overlap of roles, but this should never be standard operating procedure. Board and staff members need to understand the differences in their roles and maintain separation as much as possible.

The Role of the Board Member, Autumn 2005. It's the PCC board's role to define the ends of the ministry, i.e., its policies, goals, budgets, etc. The staff and volunteers are responsible to engage in the means to accomplish those ends.

Ambassadorship, Winter 2006. It's every board member's responsibility to faithfully represent the ministry. Pregnancy care center board members must first know what their center stands for before stepping into the public arena to articulate its mission and purpose. How can you become an effective ambassador?

Servant Leadership, Spring/Summer 2006. What if there is disagreement within your center's board about what the Lord wants you to do? The Bible outlines God's plan for unity and effectiveness.

Call to Order, Fall 2006. As I deal with boards in North America and around the world, I find that I really can't assume they know how to run a board meeting. At the risk of sounding like an elementary teacher, allow me to go over some rudimentary yet vital principles with you.

The Well-Run Board Meeting, Winter 2007. Sometimes problems stem from members not knowing or understanding the principles of how a good meeting is run. Tensions rise when members feel they are not being heard or they can't trust other members.

Assembling a Board, Spring/Summer 2007. Selecting the right members for a new board is crucial to any center's success. It is vital that the boards of Christian ministries consist of men and women who understand the mission and vision of the ministry as well as their individual and collective role in it.

Who's My Boss, Anyway? Fall 2007. Some board members overstep their role and exert personal authority in the daily operations of the ministry, without action from the full board, or even its knowledge. What's the remedy? 

Term Limits, Winter 2008. The beauty of term limits is that they take pressure off. There's no more wondering, "How long do they expect me to stay on the board?" or, on the other side, "How do we let such-and-such member go?" They offer a built-in release system, recognizing that while hard work will be expected for a time, it will eventually be rewarded with time off. 

Checks and Balances, Spring 2008. Ministry leaders must not presume that they or anyone else in the organization is immune from temptation. Proper checks and balances not only shield individuals from danger and any appearance of impropriety but also inoculate the ministry against false accusations. It's worth it to guard your integrity.

Tricky Transitions , Summer 2008. As tempting as it is to latch on to the nearest and dearest warm body, generally speaking, appointing a recently retired executive director to the board is not recommended, even when he or she leaves on good terms. But if you do appoint a former director to the board, consider some wise counsel.

Where's Your Ministry's 'Boiler Room'? Fall 2008. What happens when we don't pray? The example of Rehoboam is instructive: "And he did evil, for he did not set his heart to seek the Lord" (2 Chronicles 12:14). Prayerlessness puts ministries in jeopardy!

Keep On Keeping On, Winter 2009. As we look at the political and cultural landscape of our nation, we may feel we face obstacles in ministry that will be impossible to overcome.

Which Model are You? Spring 2009. We welcome the involvement of our board members in the activities and programs of our ministry. However, we don't have a "working" board.

Decision-Making During Change, Summer 2009. When a board is confronted with changes to the ministry, how do they go about it? What information do they need to help them make an appropriate decision?

Decision-Making During Change: Part 2, Fall 2009. The process we followed for a recent executive-level hire led to unity and confidence that we were doing the right thing. The staff was involved, the board played its part, and I was allowed to take leadership.

Wanted - Servant Leaders, Winter 2010. Compare the leadership styles of King Saul and Moses. Which style characterizes your board as a whole, and members individually? Which do you resemble? How does one become a servant leader?

Pro-Life to the Core, Spring 2010. Board members showing disdain for one another? Staff members refusing to get along? PCC directors maligning a peer because there's a difference of philosophy or leadership style? Sadly, I've witnessed examples of each as I've worked with centers across the country. What's the remedy?

Trusting During Tough Times, Summer 2010. What should leaders think about when several months go by in which expenses exceed donations? What if the trouble continues six months or more? What should they do?

Mind your IRS Ps & Qs, Fall 2010. Leaders of organizations must be aware of all IRS filing requirements and see to it they're submitted at the proper time. While the PCC director and staff do the actual work of filling out forms and making deposits, the board is ultimately responsible.

Battles Past and Present, Winter 2011. All Christians are called to uphold the sanctity of human life. Some in the political arena. Others as leaders or volunteers in pregnancy care centers and other ministries. Some serve on PCC boards. Wherever you're called to serve, it is a high calling. Your role is necessary and vital. Be faithful! Stay on task!

Do Unto Others, Spring 2011. Adjectives such as "proud," "territorial," "arrogant," "independent," "self-sufficient," or "selfish" should never be descriptors of a board member's or ministry's character.

Silence: Not Always Golden, Summer 2011. Your role as a board member doesn't allow you to be shy and demure. And it's not fair for the others to learn later that you kept a serious doubt hidden. You will have robbed them of your wisdom.

Stepping Up to the Challenge, Fall 2011. The need for PCCs remains as acute as ever, and opportunities for ministry keep expanding all the time. Meanwhile, resources dwindle and giving dries up. How should the boards of non-profit ministries respond?