The Job of the Board Chair

Now, we can define what is required of the board chair to facilitate this work. The board chair serves as a link between the board and congregation, the board and pastor, and at times, the congregation and pastor. The board chair must focus both on pressing business and the long-range goals of the church. The board chair must lead meetings, facilitate decision-making, and see that decisions are carried out. These and other duties are likely laid out in the governance documents of your church.

Above all, the board chair must be willing to use and develop certain skills and knowledge to fulfill their duties. They must know the church's mission and governance documents. They must understand and be able to facilitate group decision-making. They must be able to inspire trust and respect, working with those of all theological perspectives and personality types. They must be able to listen, and able to lead, and know when each one is appropriate. A board chair should be able to convene and lead meetings of the board and of the entire congregation, to deal with conflict, to organize and delegate responsibilities. Perhaps most importantly, a board chair should love the congregation and its mission, and know when additional training or development is needed for them to work on the congregation's behalf.