Parliamentary ProceduresRobert’s Rules of Order

The BIG picture

Management & Leadership in Ministry

Imagine Imagine a business meeting where …

anyone could speak on any subject, as long and as many times as they pleased … if everyone could speak all at once, as loudly and harshly as they wished, and were there existed no guidelines on ‘how’ a decision is to be made.

The Big PictureUnless your church happens to be the 1 church in the entire world where everyone who attends is fully under the transforming influence of the Holy Spirit… all other churches will need a system of leadership and regulations; for the natural manifestations of the sinful heart often leads to chaos and carnage; disorder can rein supreme; individual rights unfairly disregarded and trampled upon. 1Tim.1:8-9; 2Tim.3:1-4; Gal.5:19-20; Judges 17:6,21:25; 1 Cor.3:3, 11:17-18, 14:27-33; Col.3:8

The Big PictureChristians leaders place value not only upon the decisions which are made, but equally upon ‘how’ the decisions are made. Wise leaders ask: Is the business of Christ’s church being conducted in a God-honouring, just, fair, orderly and transparent manner?

No other organization on the planet is responsible for the great task of saving souls and making disciples, thus we are responsible to do what we do, as well as we can.

Many of the following thoughts come from Dr. Barry McCarthy

former professor and president of Cincinnati Seminary, former

president of the Southern Baptist Convention, and a certified

professional parliamentarian

1)Decisions can be made in an orderly and respectful manner. 1 Cor. 14:23, 27, 40

Business meetings rules exist so that...

i.e. - only 1 thing at a time is to be considered, debated or voted upon.

- only 1 person speaking at a time.

2) The will of the majority rules. Acts 15:22 (collective conscience)

- When you join a group, you enter into a written and long standing tradition, to agree with the other members ‘to allow the will of the majority to prevail on all questions that come before the group’ B. McCarty - ‘gracefully submit’ to the action of the entire organization. H. Robert

Business meetings rules exist so that...

3) The minorities voice & vote must not be suppressed

Num. 14:6-9, 1Kg. 22:12, 2Chr.10:8

– every person/member has the right and responsibility to propose a motion or amendment, speak for or against a motion, or vote according to their conscience.- Henry Robert said that the majority must “give to the minority a full, free opportunity to present their side of the case”.

Business meetings rules exist so that...

Real PeopleReal Feelings

Real Perspectives

That need to be respected

4) The essential objective of parliamentary procedures, is decision-making after debate. Acts 11:4, 15:6,7– good and godly decisions, tend to

be ‘informed’ & prayerful decisions.

- French root word for ‘Parliament’ is parley = talk/ discuss

- there is far greater danger in suppressing alternate views, than in allowing opposing views. Sometimes other views are wiser and more inline with God’s will. Pr.15:22, 11:14

Business meetings rules exist so that...

5) All members have equal rights, privileges & responsibilities.

Jm. 2:3, Gal. 3:28, Eph.6:9

- Godly people may disagree passionately with one-another, yet just as passionately insist on the other person’s right to speak & vote against the motion before the group.- Just as there is no favoritism with God, so to there can be no partiality in Christ’s church. We acknowledge the equality of all.

Business meetings rules exist so that...

6) All members have the right to know ‘what is going on’ & the implications of a motion.

2 Cor. 4:2 - While there may be times to not

‘prematurely’ share information … there is no place in the business of Christ’s church for purposeful secrecy, deception, or distortion of the facts.- Truth & clarity always set us free- Lies & deception & cover-ups are fundamentally inconsistent w Christ.- Always err on the side of transparency

Business meetings rules exist so that...