Okay, I’m going to admit it. I actually enjoy meetings. Some meetings. Productive meetings. Meetings where what you intended is what becomes. Knowing exactly what kind of meeting you are walking into, being prepared for whatever the expectations are, getting through as much of the agenda as possible in the time alloted, and leaving with a sense of fulfillment and productivity.

I despise the meetings that act like one thing and end up being something else. How much can actually get accomplished if you walk into a meeting that is supposed to be quick and informative and ends up being a three hour discussion on an issue completely unrelated to your responsibilities? What advancements are made if the planning meeting is short dumping of information with no discussion or actual planning?

I’d rather kill a creative meeting and reschedule it if it is just information dumping. On the same level, i’d rather cancel other appointments and take another hour or two brainstorming or discussing an idea if real progress is being made. Meetings are essential, but preparation and flexibility are the key to their success.

But the absolute most important part of any meeting is how we leave the room. This is especially true for the top leadership team. If everyone is not 100% on board, the ghost of failure and the spirit of dissension start creeping in. There are bound to still be questions and probably concerns, but if anyone else outside of that room gets a hint that the lead team is not 100% together, doubt, uncertainty, caution, reservation, etc. become symptoms of a disease that can destroy an organization.

This can not be be any more relevant for the modern church. The pastor is the shepherd. He has been given the God-ordained duty to lead the staff and, consequently, the people of the church. If his staff is not 100% on board with the mission and direction God has given him, they probably should pray about when to give a two-week notice.