Congregational Governance: Is it Carver or Chaos?

Tonight’s webcast focused on models of congregational governance and the role of boards in congregations. We explored the John Carver Model of Policy Governance, along with several other governance models. In addition, we looked at accountability in congregations and ways to move a board from a micro-managing board to a generative board that is asking the visionary questions.

I’ve posted a PowerPoint version of the presentation, along with a PDF version of the slides for those who prefer to review the presentation that way.

• Congregational Governance - PowerPoint Presentation
• Congregational Governance - PDF version

You can view the entire webcast from this link: Congregational Governance Webcast. Click the big right-arrow in the center of the first slide to run the webcast. You might have to scroll a bit to see it all. The Webcast runs about 70 minutes.

Building Multi-Racial, Multi-Cultural Congregations

In my January 15, 2008 web seminar, I presented an assessment tool developed by Curtiss Paul DeYoung, Professor of Reconciliation Studies, at Bethel University, in St. Paul, Minnesota that is designed to help a congregation assess its readiness in becoming a multi-racial, multi-cultural congregation. I’ve posted a copy of the tool and more details about the tool in the PowerPoint presentation from the seminar.

• Building Multi-Racial, Multi-Cultural Congregations - PowerPoint presentation
• Authentic Multiracial Congregation Assessment

You can view the entire webcast from this link: Building Multi-Racial, Multi-Cultural Congregations Webcast. Click the big right-arrow in the center of the first slide to run the webcast. You might have to scroll a bit to see it all. The Webcast runs about 45 minutes.

The Value of Appreciative Inquiry in Congregations

The goal of Appreciative Inquiry (AI) according to Inagrace T. Dieetterich,
Director of Theological Research, Center for Parish Development, Chicago in the forward to Memories, Hopes and Conversations, is

• To change the conversation;
• To stimulate the thinking and imagination of congregations
• And to do this through a process that focuses on the honorable, the pure, the pleasing and the commendable.

Using AI in our congregations is a way to discover the congregation’s vision by focusing on what won members’ hearts, keeps them engaged, and what they yearn for in the future. I used this PowerPoint presentation in the TJD’s first web seminar in November 2007.

• The Value of Appreciative Inquiry - PowerPoint Presentation
• The Value of Appreciative Inquiry - PDF version