How to Run Meetings with Style

As a "Get the job done" pastor, you can learn to conduct meetings that are positive experiences. They still may not be particularly fun and exciting; that’s just the nature of meetings. But they can be organized, productive, and beneficial to everyone involved. Here are few keys to making meetings better:

  • Decide whether the meeting is even necessary. 
    • Too many meetings don’t need to happen.
    • If a matter can be handled via a conference call or a couple of emails, it is better to spare everyone the time and trouble of getting together. 
  • Make sure to schedule meetings only when they are necessary  
  • limit the discussion to items that affect everyone in attendance.
  • Set a clear agenda. Don’t start a meeting without knowing exactly what you need to discuss and decide.
  • Provide a written agenda to make the purpose of the meeting clear to those in attendance. 
    • This will help everyone stay on topic. When someone goes off on a tangent, having a clear agenda will allow you to steer the conversation back to the issues at hand.
  • Let people know in advance what they need to prepare
    • Make clear beforehand any required reading or reports that are necessary for the meeting.
  • When people arrive at meetings prepared
    • Avoid surprising people with requests after the meeting has started
  • Get input from everyone.
    • Quiet people often get overlooked at meetings
    • Be careful to ensure that the stronger personalities aren’t permitted to dominate
  • Provide clear next steps.
    • By the end of the meeting, some action steps should be in place.
    • Make sure that everyone knows what they need to do, and then hold them accountable
  • Meetings are a great way to get the best minds in your church together  
    • Discuss issues that will make a difference in your ministry.
    • Make sure you don’t squander these opportunities by running bad meetings
When you take the necessary steps to make them pleasant and productive, meetings can go a long way toward advancing the vision and goals of your church.

– Nelson Searcy and Richard Jarman

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Published: August 17, 2019 at 6:40 AM

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