Governance and Ministry - 2nd Edition by Dan Hotchkiss (Paperback)

About the Book

Governance and Ministry is an indispensable guide for church and synagogue leaders. The second edition has been revised throughout, including new chapters on congregation size, governance change, policy writing, and the lay-clergy relationship. It includes a unified example of...

Book Synopsis

Governance and Ministry has proven to be an indispensable guide for leaders and clergy on how to work together to lead congregations. In this second edition, veteran congregational consultant and minister Dan Hotchkiss updates the book to reflect today's church and synagogue landscape and shares practical insights based on his work with readers of the first edition.

Governance and Ministry highlights the importance of reaching the right governance model for a congregation to fulfill its mission--to achieve both the outward results and the inward quality of life to which it is called. Hotchkiss draws on governance research from business, non-profits, and churches, as well as deep experience in a variety of denominations and congregations to help readers determine the governance model that best fits their needs. The second edition has been streamlined and reorganized to better help readers think through leadership models and the process of change. The book features new material on the implications of congregation size, the process of governance change, policy choices, and the lay-clergy relationship. It also features two appendices with resources often requested by Hotchkiss's consulting clients: a style guide for policy-makers and a unified example of a board policy book.

Written with energy and humor, and offering plenty of practical examples, the second edition of this helpful resource is ideal for anyone involved in church leadership to assist in framing critical questions, creating a vision, and implementing a plan.

Review Quotes

"For years, I have been recommending to congregational leaders that they read Dan Hotchkiss' outstanding book Governance and Ministry.... Thus, I was delighted to hear that Hotchkiss recently updated, expanded and refined his thinking on governance in a second edition of Governance and Ministry. It may be a second edition, but it reads like a totally new book. The first six chapters will be familiar to readers of the first book. However, even in these chapters, Hotchkiss has refined them based on his work with congregations implementing the strategies for governance he made in the first edition. It felt like new reading to me. In the next five chapters, Hotchkiss adds totally new material along with several very practical, helpful appendices.... Having read the second edition of this classic book, I am convinced that it will have a similar level of success in helping pastors and church members alike understand their roles as well as the difference between governing and doing ministry." --The Presbyterian Outlook

"I used the first edition with the governing board of The Episcopal Church several years ago, and it helped to clarify the difference between policy-making and management functions. This second edition adds a good deal, and will be helpful for boards and members in religious bodies, nonprofits, and community organizations. I commend this as a learning and leading tool for committed members, all of whom are called to some form of leadership and transformation, including governance." --The Most Reverend Katharine Jefferts Schori, presiding bishop and primate, the Episcopal Church

"The first edition of Dan's book has proven invaluable to numerous congregations of all sizes, in all denominations. But this second edition is more than an upgrade. It offers new coaching that is crucial for successful organizational change. Here is detailed information about how churches change their governance model; how to deal with the stress of change; and how congregational life is positively different afterwards. Much of the decline of churches has nothing to do with theology, ideology, or tradition. It has everything to do with tedious, tentative, exhausting, and ineffective decision-making in a world of fast-paced change and exploding diversity. Organizational change is more urgent than ever. This book will not only help you do it--it will make you glad you did." --Thomas G. Bandy, author; director of Thriving Church Consulting

"Dan Hotchkiss has taught me most of what I know about effective governance in congregations. Dan's winsome writing style brings the topic of governance to life in this latest edition. This book should be on the short 'go to' resource list of every congregational leader." --Susan Beaumont, author of How to Lead When You Don't Know Where You're Going

"Have you felt swamped by the myriad of possible ways to organize, govern, and manage a church? Has the relationship of leadership issues among church boards, committees, clergy and congregation mystified you? Or does the mounting bibliography of potential ways to govern religious organizations overwhelm you? Dan Hotchkiss has seen it all--has been there and done that in his organizing work of holy conversations with many churches. He sorts out the issues and possibilities for us in this book and offers a practical and timely way to explore governance change. His approach is flexible and helpful." --Charles M. Olsen, author of Discerning God's Will Together and Transforming Church Boards into Communities of Spiritual Leaders

"Dan Hotchkiss is a premier church planning facilitator. Thus, his words in this book take on a sense of depth and authority. He knows whereof he speaks. Hotchkiss articulates a methodology by which local churches can be energized and visionary not 'in spite of' old ways of doing business but 'because of' new ones." --Michael Brown, senior minister, Marble Collegiate Church, New York, New York

"If our faith is held as a 'treasure in earthen vessels' then it matters deeply how we use those vessels called congregations. Board, staff, and members need to fulfill their critical roles and align appropriately for mission. Dan Hotchkiss helps. He provides a rich mix of ideas, language, models, and steps to help congregations use leadership well. And Dan writes like he talks--engagingly, with wisdom, and skirted with humor. It's good." --Gil Rendle, senior vice president, Texas Methodist Foundation; author of Doing the Math of Mission: Fruit, Faithfulness, and Metrics

Dan Hotchkiss has taught me most of what I know about effective governance in congregations. Dan's winsome writing style brings the topic of governance to life in this latest edition. This book should be on the short 'go to' resource list of every congregational leader.

Dan Hotchkiss is a premier church planning facilitator. Thus, his words in this book take on a sense of depth and authority. He knows whereof he speaks. Hotchkiss articulates a methodology by which local churches can be energized and visionary not 'in spite of' old ways of doing business but 'because of' new ones.

For years, I have been recommending to congregational leaders that they read Dan Hotchkiss' outstanding book Governance and Ministry.... Thus, I was delighted to hear that Hotchkiss recently updated, expanded and refined his thinking on governance in a second edition of Governance and Ministry. It may be a second edition, but it reads like a totally new book. The first six chapters will be familiar to readers of the first book. However, even in these chapters, Hotchkiss has refined them based on his work with congregations implementing the strategies for governance he made in the first edition. It felt like new reading to me. In the next five chapters, Hotchkiss adds totally new material along with several very practical, helpful appendices.... Having read the second edition of this classic book, I am convinced that it will have a similar level of success in helping pastors and church members alike understand their roles as well as the difference between governing and doing ministry.

Have you felt swamped by the myriad of possible ways to organize, govern, and manage a church? Has the relationship of leadership issues among church boards, committees, clergy and congregation mystified you? Or does the mounting bibliography of potential ways to govern religious organizations overwhelm you? Dan Hotchkiss has seen it all--has been there and done that in his organizing work of holy conversations with many churches. He sorts out the issues and possibilities for us in this book and offers a practical and timely way to explore governance change. His approach is flexible and helpful.

I used the first edition with the governing board of The Episcopal Church several years ago, and it helped to clarify the difference between policy-making and management functions. This second edition adds a good deal, and will be helpful for boards and members in religious bodies, nonprofits, and community organizations. I commend this as a learning and leading tool for committed members, all of whom are called to some form of leadership and transformation, including governance.

If our faith is held as a 'treasure in earthen vessels' then it matters deeply how we use those vessels called congregations. Board, staff, and members need to fulfill their critical roles and align appropriately for mission. Dan Hotchkiss helps. He provides a rich mix of ideas, language, models, and steps to help congregations use leadership well. And Dan writes like he talks--engagingly, with wisdom, and skirted with humor. It's good.

The first edition of Dan's book has proven invaluable to numerous congregations of all sizes, in all denominations. But this second edition is more than an upgrade. It offers new coaching that is crucial for successful organizational change. Here is detailed information about how churches change their governance model; how to deal with the stress of change; and how congregational life is positively different afterwards. Much of the decline of churches has nothing to do with theology, ideology, or tradition. It has everything to do with tedious, tentative, exhausting, and ineffective decision-making in a world of fast-paced change and exploding diversity. Organizational change is more urgent than ever. This book will not only help you do it--it will make you glad you did.

About the Author

Dan Hotchkiss writes, consults, and speaks widely for congregations and other nonprofits. His specialties include board governance, strategic and financial planning, clergy transition, and fundraising. As a senior consultant for the Alban Institute for fourteen years, and now as an independent consultant, Dan has directly helped hundreds of congregations and related organizations in more than thirty denominational groups. Through his coaching, teaching, and writing, Dan touches the lives of an even wider range of leaders. He is also the author of Ministry and Money: A Guide for Clergy and Their Friends. His website is www.danhotchkiss.com.