Last evening, our Trustee board did something I consider quite amazing: they discussed and passed a “board covenant”.  The “board covenant” states the board’s commitments to each other and the congregation in how they do business and what business they do.  It also acknowledges the accountability structures present in the congregation and deals with a few issues of discipline.  In fact, I’d like to share it in its entirety with you.  It follows in the “read more” section below.  Feel free to comment.

In order to better communicate the message of Jesus Christ through our words and actions, providing for accountable oversight, accountability and communication, both within the congregation and outside of it, the Board of Trustees hereby creates the following covenant for the Board:

 

  1. For the purpose of accountability within the Board, we will (a) provide for regular internal audits of our finances through the board, (b) give regular committee reports to the full board, (c) maintain appropriate Board discipline in a manner that encourages Christlike attitudes and collaboration as his Body, (d) maintain healthy relationships between ourselves as Jesus’ Disciples based in trust, (e) maintain accountable financial practices, including appropriate divisions between contributions and expenditures and two signatures on financial disbursements, (f) create and maintain appropriate chains of command, communication and responsibility.
  2. Since we hold in trust the property of First Baptist Church and represent the Church in business transactions, we recognize that we are accountable to the members of First Baptist Church as a whole and to the governing authorities.  Therefore, we will (a) provide for regular external reviews or audits of our financial records at the level recommended by good accounting practices, (b) provide copies of our official business to the Executive Board of First Baptist Church as stated in the Constitution (revised 1986) of the Church, including Treasurer’s and Financial Secretary’s reports, as the representatives of the congregation, (c) provide a summary of our activities in the congregation’s annual report, (d) maintain an open-book policy for those who have need to examine our records.  We also understand that the congregation elects the Board to office through the nominating committee and through congregational vote, and thereby exercises a level of accountability over the Board. 
  3. We desire to seek healthy ways of communicating our actions and our purpose to the congregation and to the greater community, since we desire to follow Jesus in all we do.  At this time, we do not find that posting our Board’s minutes is all that useful, since they do not give an overall sense of purpose to our actions, are not organized as a coherent whole, and show more detail than the average person wants or needs to know.  We covenant to seek out new means of communication to the congregation through our official and unofficial correspondence. 
  4. Beyond our basic communication with the congregation and outsiders, we desire to be as cooperative as possible to provide information to our collaborators in ministry for the building up of the Body of Christ.  We are committed to working most closely with those who are promoting the vision, mission and values of First Baptist through their actions.  In our official documents, including contracts, budgets, business transactions and correspondence, we desire to express ourselves in ways that promote the message of Jesus. 
  5. Since we are a board made up of volunteers and church staff devoted to a certain purpose, we have limited time and resources to handle requests for records and documents that do not fall within the scope of the Vision of the congregation.  Therefore, such requests shall be fulfilled only as time allows, and at the requestor’s expense.  Requests shall be made directly to the Chair of the Board, who may fulfill or reject the request or bring it up for discussion with the board as to if and how the request may be fulfilled.  All requests must state the reason(s) wherefore the information is needed.