What’s the most important skill you need to be successful in ministry?  Knowing how to run a good meeting.

Ok, that’s not really true.  Many other things matter more (a lot more!). But, running a good meeting still matters.  And more than you think.

Even those who’ve only been in ministry a short time know that meetings dominate your weekly schedule.  Sometimes, it seems that half your week is spent in some sort of meeting.  During meals. Over coffee.  In a conference room.  With the elders.  With ministry leaders.  With support staff.

And here’s the other reality we all know.  Meetings vary widely in their effectiveness.  Some meetings produce real progress and fruit.  Those can be exhilarating, even fun.  And other are a tedious and frustrating waste of time.  Those can be exhausting and even debilitating.

So, how can we make our meetings better?  Here I offer just a few quick thoughts for meeting leaders.  It’s the leaders the control, guide, and dictate what the meetings are like (and how many there are). [Read more…]