Who Belongs and the One-Page Charter

Start with the qualifications

Abide by the biblical qualifications of an Elder: Acts 15 (opens the passage on Bible.com); Acts 20:17 (opens the passage on Bible.com), 28-31; 1 Timothy 3:2 (opens the passage on Bible.com); 1 Timothy 5:17 (opens the passage on Bible.com); 2 Timothy 4:2 (opens the passage on Bible.com); Titus 1:7 (opens the passage on Bible.com), 9; James 5:14 (opens the passage on Bible.com); 1 Peter 5:1-2 (opens the passage on Bible.com).

• Read these passages yourself before you think of a single name.
• Read them again with the person you are considering.
• Character comes first. Skill, money and connections do not make someone an elder.

What a member brings

Members of the MAC share their gifts in service to our mission and vision by providing our organization with their support and care; doctrinal beliefs, their diverse knowledge and perspectives; and their connections to local, national or international resources, colleagues or peers.

Size, terms and access

• The MAC will consist of 3-5 members that will rotate every 2-4 years. The Lead Pastor is considered a member of the MAC.
• Open invitation to attend all staff meetings and team huddles
• Full access to all financials in the church.

Decide ahead of time:

• How many people serve, and for how long.
• Whether terms are staggered so the whole group never turns over at once.
• Whether the pastor is a member, and whether the pastor votes.
• Whether a pastor's relatives or paid staff may serve.
• Who chooses new members, and who confirms them.
• How a member steps off early, and how one is removed.

Your bylaws may already answer some of these. Read them. If they do not match what you actually do, check with a lawyer or your denomination before you change either one.

What you ask of each member

• Act as an encourager to Lead Pastor
• Allow the organization to publicize their name and participation on the MAC
• Meet once a quarter on Zoom. Meet once a year in person.
• Commit to pray consistently for Pastor, his family, the church, and local community
• Permission to speak into doctrine, health, family, and leadership.

Before you ask someone

Work through this list for each person. Do it with at least one other leader.

• Do they meet the qualifications in the passages above? Who besides you can say so?
• Do they agree with your church's doctrine? Have they read it?
• Is their home in order? Ask their spouse, if they are married.
• Will they tell the pastor the truth when it costs them something?
• Can they keep a confidence?
• Do they have any business, family or money tie to the church that could pull on their judgment? Ask your lawyer or denomination what a conflict of interest policy should cover.
• Decide ahead of time whether you run a background check or call references.
• Have they got the time for what you are asking?

Write a one-page charter

One page. Hand it to every person you invite. Use these headings, which follow the shape of my own document:

1. Purpose. What the group is for, in two or three sentences.
2. Reasons. Why your church has it.
3. Structure. Size, terms, who is a member, what they can see, what they decide.
4. Expectations. Meetings, prayer, what they may speak into.
5. Qualifications. The passages.
6. Your one line. Who leads, who guides, who is served.
7. A thank-you, signed by the pastor.