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14 Best Practices for Orthodox Christian Parish Council Governance
Stewardship AdvocatesTM
The Eight Purposes of a Governing Parish Council
1. Adheres to the teaching and mission of the Church 2. Advocates for the mission of the parish 3. Supports the work of the priest 4. Always in the process of board development 5. Formulates policy 6. Strategically plans 7. Oversees finances 8. Fundraises
14 Best Practices for Parish Councils
1. Members Cultivate Personal Spiritual Life
Each parish council member accepts responsibility for the maintenance of their own spiritual condition
Worship and sacramental life
Personal prayer life
Relationship with God and others
2. Mission Oriented
The council focuses on the mission of the Church and advocates for the mission of the parish
Periodically reviews the mission, vision and values statements
Maintains consistency with the mission in decisions, values, policies and actions
3. Envisions the Future of the Parish
Always relates the vision to mission
The mission is derived from the life and teachings of Our Lord Jesus Christ
Articulates and explains the vision of the future of the parish to the community
During their term of service seeks to implement the vision
4. Supports the Priest
Respects the sacrament of ordination and the efforts of the priest to fulfill his calling despite human limitations
Understands that the priest manages the parish office (sometimes needs help)
Accepts priest’s role to lead the community and chair’s role to lead the parish council
Attends to the well being of the priest and his family to avoid burnout
5. Thinks and Acts Strategically
Exercises a choice for a preferred future
Allocates meeting time to what matters most
Continuously monitors the parish environment to ensure against “mission drift”
Regularly asks the question, “What do we wish to become?”
Insists on strategic planning
Works at not focusing exclusively on operational and tactical issues
6. Strives for Trustworthiness
Develops a culture of transparency
Ensures that parishioners have access to appropriate and accurate information regarding finances, operations and results
Publicly posts financial statements and council minutes Follows through on commitments
Certain issues may require a confidential executive session
7. Accepts Accountability
Willing to be accountable
Holds themselves accountable to one another
Completes parish council member performance self-assessment yearly
Completes regular overall parish council assessment yearly
Reports honestly on accomplishments and short-comings to the parish
8. Results-Oriented
Continuously measures progress toward mission fulfillment
Together with the priest evaluates efficiency, effectiveness, and impact of major programs and services
Monitors strategic plan goals and objectives on calendar with areas of responsibility
9. Embraces Board Development Process
Plans for revitalization and renewal
Tracks goals and objectives for the parish council
Accepts the importance of fresh perspectives
Energizes the council through planned turnover and thoughtful, continuous recruitment
10. Avoids Conflicts of Interest
Develops and incorporates a Conflict of Interest policy
Members abstain from voting when there is a potential conflict of interest
Members ensure arm’s length negotiations
Members disclose conflict of interest whenever necessary
11. Models Good Stewardship
Holds in trust the holy Tradition of the Church
Insists on 100% member participation in generously giving time, talent and treasure
Faithfully attends meetings
Completes tasks on time and with best effort
Diligently maintains facilities
12. Engages with Fundraising
Participates in fundraising to finance programs and ministries of the parish
Assists with annual stewardship effort
Supports fundraising events
Identifies and cultivates potential major donors
Gives personally meaningful gift to capital campaigns
If possible, remembers parish in estate plans to fund the endowment
13. Manages Fiduciary Oversight Accepts responsibility for
financial oversight Links bold visions and
ambitious plans to financial support
Approves activities that can be realistically financed with existing or attainable resources
Always has financials audited by independent committee or external CPA
Background checks on all those who have hands on responsibility for funds
Openly discusses annual budget before presenting to general assembly
14. Formulates Policy
Always in light of the gospel
Always aligned with the mission of the Church
Consistent with the parish’s strategic plan
Thoughtful implementation
Ideally, strong parish council consensus and sensitive consideration of parishioners’ response
Contact Information and Additional Material from Stewardship Advocates
phone/text: 347.831.1848
email: [email protected]
newsletter: http://www.stewardshipadvocates.org/
website: http://www.stewardshipadvocates.org
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