mgpcpastor's blog

If meetings are a source of frustration these 20 suggestions from David Murray will help.
They’re written which churches in mind, but the principles apply more broadly.
Here’s a sample.
Go and read them all.

1. Prune them
We have to prune our trees and bushes of the excess branches in order that stronger branches can grow stronger and more fruitful. There may be a proliferation of meetings in your church that are actually weakening the whole church and need to be pruned back to make for a stronger and more fruitful church.
The first question to ask is, “What meetings are necessary?” Just because “we’ve always had these meetings” does not mean that we need to have them forever. It may be possible to stop some meetings altogether. However, usually you are looking at cutting down the frequency of them, combining them with other meetings, cutting the length of meetings, or cutting the number of people attending them (including yourself).

2. Protect them
In our crusade to prune meetings, we must avoid the temptation to view all meetings as unnecessary evils. They are an essential part of any ministry, and in fact provide ministry opportunities. They are certainly sanctifying opportunities (hopefully not backsliding opportunities!). Protect and value the necessary and profitable meetings.

7. Stick to the agenda and timetable
Ask someone to remind you of the time targets you have set. This gives you extra motivation to move the meeting along and also allows you to be more objective when interrupting or shortening discussion. Group short and less important items together and make sure they do not push out the far more important matters. After 90 minutes, meetings usually start going downhill.

9. Read the meeting
Try to look out for negative and positive signs in the course of a meeting. Try to interpret the tone of voices, the facial expressions, and the body language. You will eventually be able to anticipate potential flashpoints and take the heat out of situations before it gets too hot. You will also be able to see if there are any personality clashes that need to be addressed. Tomorrow I’ll give you a list of meeting personalities.

15. End meetings at the agreed time
Unless the circumstances are exceptional, end the meeting on time. That will build discipline for future meetings, allow office bearers to plan their time, and also prevent late-night decisions that may be regretted.