It was a tradition I grew up with. On the second Wednesday the typical Bible study and prayer time was laid aside for 45 minutes of hearing reports and making motions—the Baptist business meeting. Sometimes it would be tedious and sometimes boring and sometimes contentious.
I was a teen-ager when one evening the treasurer announced he wanted to purchase membership in a new box store where customers could buy in bulk.
“The membership is $8,” he said, “but we’ll save that much on the first trip to buy office supplies.”
Some countered that spending $8 was too much and couldn’t believe it was worthwhile. I’m not sure why one of us didn’t take an offering then and there to end the 20-minute discussion.
There was another time the church announced hiring a new accountant to help with financial affairs. All well and good, except the personnel committee had neglected to relay this to the volunteer bookkeeper who angrily asked, “Am I not doing my job?”
Ah, no peace in our Baptist Zion that night.
The worst story I heard was from a friend who explained how the pastor was earnestly encouraging the church to buy a bus to reach boys and girls. This was at the height of the so-called “bus ministry” era when many churches did this. I’m not sure if the pastor was moderating the meeting, since Robert’s would say he must be an unbiased arbiter, but he, nevertheless, let the church know he thought it was a great idea.
Someone got so upset he stood and said, “Shut up, preacher! Shut up!”
The friend who told me this story said his friend who attended was so shocked, he never went to church again.
Covid-19 changed the habits of many of our congregational churches since we couldn’t meet to conduct business. And we survived. A number of churches then determined to trust elected leaders with day-to-day matters (such as buying office supplies!) and bringing major motions to the larger group on Sunday morning, such as the calling of ministers, adopting a budget or expending large amounts for capital needs.
Church health organizations suggest this is a worthy trend since public meetings over minor matters give the most negative thinkers first opportunity to voice their complaints. Positive people tend to be less assertive and less vocal at these times.
Of course, the ideal is consensus—everyone on board and agreeing with decisions. But not everyone will agree on an $8 club membership. Thus, we may compromise, in the best sense, and find a way to go forward together.
The apostle Peter counseled us to “be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble,” 1 Peter 3:8. -
