The Unity Factor

by Larry W. Osborne

Publisher:

Christianity Today

, 1989

Overview

Lying awake one night after a church board meeting.

That’s when Larry Osborne thought, We have to find a way to replace our posturing and battling with the new spirit of teamwork and cooperation. Every experienced pastor knows the joys and struggles of working with a board. As Chuck Swindoll wrote: “The need for a better relationship between pastors and board members is apparent, and in some cases, acute.”

What are the secrets to creating an effective church leadership team? How can a pastor lead a board to true unity?

Osborne set out to find answers. Now many years and board meetings and hours of research later, he offers tested, no-nonsense wisdom to questions like these: What are the roadblocks to a board really working together? How can you remove them?What do I do when a leadership team member isn’t working out?What roles can the pastor take with the leadership team, and which is most effective?What work should a board handle? What should it definitely not touch?How can a leadership team guide the congregation through controversial changes?What does it take to negotiate a fair salary?How can you continue to minister during a time of board disunity? In The Unity Factor, you’ll find sensible strategies and warm encouragement for building a healthy leadership team.

This is the twentieth volume of THE LEADERSHIP LIBRARY, a continuing series from LEADERSHIP, the practical journal for church leaders published by Christianity Today, Inc. Others in the series include Well-Intentioned Dragons, Learning to Lead and The Contemplative Pastor.

Contents

Top Highlights

“First, I’ve learned that as the leadership board goes, so goes the rest of the church.” (Page 14)

“Most church fights aren’t over theology or even ministry goals; they’re over priorities and methodology.” (Page 19)

“A unified leadership team doesn’t just happen. It has to be a priority.” (Page 14)

“The third reason developing board unity remains at the top of my list is that it’s fragile. Like love in a marriage, harmony in a board needs special attention or it will die.” (Page 16)

“I’ve found there are two common saboteurs of teamwork: lack of a clearly defined leader, and failure to distinguish between designing and evaluating a ministry.” (Page 52)

Product Details

• Title: The Unity Factor
• Author: Larry W. Osborne
• Publisher: CTI
• Publication Date: 1989
• Pages: 156