14 Best Practices for Orthodox Christian Parish Council Governance

Stewardship AdvocatesTM

The Eight Purposes of a Governing Parish Council

1. Adheres to the teaching and mission of the Church 2. Advocates for the mission of the parish 3. Supports the work of the priest 4. Always in the process of board development 5. Formulates policy 6. Strategically plans 7. Oversees finances 8. Fundraises

14 Best Practices for Parish Councils

1. Members Cultivate Personal Spiritual Life

Each parish council member accepts responsibility for the maintenance of their own spiritual condition

Worship and sacramental life

Personal prayer life

Relationship with God and others

2. Mission Oriented

The council focuses on the mission of the Church and advocates for the mission of the parish

Periodically reviews the mission, vision and values statements

Maintains consistency with the mission in decisions, values, policies and actions

3. Envisions the Future of the Parish

Always relates the vision to mission

The mission is derived from the life and teachings of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Articulates and explains the vision of the future of the parish to the community

During their term of service seeks to implement the vision

4. Supports the Priest

Respects the sacrament of ordination and the efforts of the priest to fulfill his calling despite human limitations

Understands that the priest manages the parish office (sometimes needs help)

Accepts priest’s role to lead the community and chair’s role to lead the parish council

Attends to the well being of the priest and his family to avoid burnout

5. Thinks and Acts Strategically

Exercises a choice for a preferred future

Allocates meeting time to what matters most

Continuously monitors the parish environment to ensure against “mission drift”

Regularly asks the question, “What do we wish to become?”

Insists on strategic planning

Works at not focusing exclusively on operational and tactical issues

6. Strives for Trustworthiness

Develops a culture of transparency

Ensures that parishioners have access to appropriate and accurate information regarding finances, operations and results

Publicly posts financial statements and council minutes Follows through on commitments

Certain issues may require a confidential executive session

7. Accepts Accountability

Willing to be accountable

Holds themselves accountable to one another

Completes parish council member performance self-assessment yearly

Completes regular overall parish council assessment yearly

Reports honestly on accomplishments and short-comings to the parish

8. Results-Oriented

Continuously measures progress toward mission fulfillment

Together with the priest evaluates efficiency, effectiveness, and impact of major programs and services

Monitors strategic plan goals and objectives on calendar with areas of responsibility

9. Embraces Board Development Process

Plans for revitalization and renewal

Tracks goals and objectives for the parish council

Accepts the importance of fresh perspectives

Energizes the council through planned turnover and thoughtful, continuous recruitment

10. Avoids Conflicts of Interest

Develops and incorporates a Conflict of Interest policy

Members abstain from voting when there is a potential conflict of interest

Members ensure arm’s length negotiations

Members disclose conflict of interest whenever necessary

11. Models Good Stewardship

Holds in trust the holy Tradition of the Church

Insists on 100% member participation in generously giving time, talent and treasure

Faithfully attends meetings

Completes tasks on time and with best effort

Diligently maintains facilities

12. Engages with Fundraising

Participates in fundraising to finance programs and ministries of the parish

Assists with annual stewardship effort

Supports fundraising events

Identifies and cultivates potential major donors

Gives personally meaningful gift to capital campaigns

If possible, remembers parish in estate plans to fund the endowment

13. Manages Fiduciary Oversight Accepts responsibility for

financial oversight Links bold visions and

ambitious plans to financial support

Approves activities that can be realistically financed with existing or attainable resources

Always has financials audited by independent committee or external CPA

Background checks on all those who have hands on responsibility for funds

Openly discusses annual budget before presenting to general assembly

14. Formulates Policy

Always in light of the gospel

Always aligned with the mission of the Church

Consistent with the parish’s strategic plan

Thoughtful implementation

Ideally, strong parish council consensus and sensitive consideration of parishioners’ response

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