Building Effective Boards for Religious Organizations A Handbook for Trustees, Presidents, and Church Leaders

by Holland, Thomas P.; Hester, David C.

• ISBN13: 9780787945633
• ISBN10: 0787945633
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1999-11-15
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass

Summary

Through their admirable energy, dedication, and leadership, religious board members sustain our world's most invaluable organizations. This in-depth handbook offers essential insights from respected veterans of religious and nonprofit work on governing an organization with a religious mission. Drawing on years of research, consulting, and hands-on religious nonprofit work, the authors show how board members can clearly define their roles and mission, transform hierarchical structures into models of collaborative leadership, and organize for greater impact.From congregations and seminaries to soup kitchens, hospital chains, and social service agencies, Building Effective Boards for Religious Organizations examines both the nature and nurture of religious boards. Interfaith in scope and brimming with real-life examples, it skillfully demonstrates how a religious board can escape common problems, and how understanding the full depth of the organization's mission can help it best fulfill its intended purpose.

Author Biography

THOMAS P. HOLLAND, Ph.D., is a professor and director of the Institute for Nonprofit Organizations, University of Georgia School of Social Work. He has done extensive research and consulting on strengthening board effectiveness and is the author of many books, including Improving Board Effectiveness (1997). DAVID C. HESTER, Ph.D., is professor of Christian education at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Along with Dr. Holland, he was the recipient of a Lilly Endowment grant to study and evaluate board development programs at seminaries throughout the United States.

Table of Contents

List of Figures, Tables, and Exhibits	ix
Preface	xi
The Editors	xix
The Contributors	xxi
PART One Practicing Faithful Governance
Stewards of Hope: The Work of Trustees	3	(21)
Malcolm L. Warford
The Duties and Responsibilities of Boards of Religious Organizations	24	(20)
Thomas P. Holland
The Religious Mission of the Board	44	(14)
William L. Sachs
Practicing Governance in the Light of Faith	58	(25)
David C. Hester
PART TWO Improving the Board's Performance
Developing a More Effective Board	83	(26)
Thomas P. Holland
Beyond Hierarchies: Transforming Power and Leadership	109	(13)
Thomas J. Savage
Boundary Spanning: Building Bridges Between an Organization and Its Environment	122	(17)
Christa R. Klein
The Merger Challenge: Building a Cohesive Culture	139	(17)
David J. Nygren
Julie Hickman Burg
Dennis A. Ross
The Board's Role in Shaping Strategy	156	(14)
Richard P. Chait
Providing Meaningful Information for Governance	170	(41)
Lawrence M. Butler
Conclusion: Turning Toward the Future	204	(7)
David C. Hester
Thomas P. Holland
Index	211