Welcome to the Church Governance Resource!
If you have found your way to this resource, you are looking into the Kaiser/Carver or policy model of church governance. You might have been instructed to move in this direction through a church transformation process. You might have heard about this offer from someone in ECO and are just curious. Or you might know that this model is right for this time in the ministry of your church. Whatever the reason, we are glad you are here! We, the ECO Synod staff and Synod Executive Council, have used this model of governance since we were established in 2012 and we stand behind it fully. You might have questions as to whether it will work for you, and that is perfectly normal. We come from a Presbyterian history that has looked at this model of governance with mixed emotions. What we want to convey to you is that it IS Presbyterian and it can work effectively for your church if employed properly.
This resource includes downloadable video presentations and corresponding powerpoints, book recommendations, conversations with ECO church consultants, as well as sample documents and guiding principles to help churches consider adopting this model of church governance on a variety of levels. We hope your church leadership will view and discuss these materials as you seek missional clarity and direction in this area of church structure. Please reach out to us at info@flourishmovement.org for more assistance if needed along the way.
There are 3 sections within this resource:
Section 1 – Principles of Policy Model of Governance
Principles of Policy Model of Governance is about the principles of the policy model of governance. Here you will find some information regarding the basics of the model, the reasoning to apply it, and basically the “why” behind it.
Section 2 – ECO Church Samples of Guiding Principles
Examples of Guiding Principles is comprised of examples of Guiding Principles. These are the guidelines and boundaries for the staff to work within at different churches. They are the blueprints you will need to move forward with the policy governance model.
Section 3 – Kaiser Model and ECO Polity
Kaiser Model and ECO Polity consists of various studies or responses to areas where the policy governance model, particularly as described in Winning on Purpose, might conflict with ECO Polity. If you had concerns as to applying the book model to ECO, knowing that there are some places where conflicts could arise (calling an Associate/Assistant Pastor for example), you will see the work around in these documents. We hope you find these resources useful! In many cases, you might find it necessary to call on an outsider to come and help install this governance system. ECO stands ready to help.
Principles of Policy Model of Governance is about the principles of the policy model of governance. Here you will find some information regarding the basics of the model, the reasoning to apply it, and basically the “why” behind it.
Topic: Church Governance
Video: Pastor As Leader (35 min)
John Terech, ECO Executive Director of Operations
Additional Resources Mentioned in Video
Winning on Purpose: How to Organize Congregations to Succeed in Their Mission by John Edmund Kaiser
Winning on Purpose offers leaders a way to organize congregations for success by creating structures that enable church life and health. As a comprehensive and powerful application of the biblical call to mission, Winning on Purposesets forth the Accountable Leadership strategy.
Church Unique by Will Mancini
Church Unique is primarily about your church’s identity. It shows church leaders how to identify and unlock their congregation’s individual identity as a tool for unleashing their one-of-a-kind potential.
Vision Framing Process:
Through a process of videos, handouts, and individual coaching calls, ECO can facilitate the process for churches to get clarity on the following questions that involve mission, values, measures, strategy, and vision. What if your church were crystal clear about where God was calling you in the next season of ministry? Imagine your leaders, your ministries, your worship, and your entire congregation working together to make God’s vision a reality.
Understanding our Unique Calling and Identity by Dana Allin and Will Mancini (from Locally Grown NG 2019 Main Session).
This video explores in detail how to create, articulate and implement your churches unique mission, vision and values as you assess who you are, your guiding convictions and where God is leading you.
ECO Polity (reference Section 6 – elder, session, pastor)
This excerpt is pulled from our ECO Polity to assist churches better understand and align sessions understanding of our polity as it connects to church governance.
Coaching
Virtual coaching available and other church resources, as needed for churches with John Terech. You can request more information about coaching by filling out the request form to the right.
Video: Conversation on Winning Systems (23 min)
John Terech, ECO Executive Director of Operations and
Paul Borden, Director of Church Health Initiative
Topic: Defining the “Why” of this Church Governance Model
Video: From the Lower Room to Upper Room Video: Redesigning an ECO Session (45 min)
Nate Dreesmann, ECO Executive Director of Ecclesiastical Support
Topic: Principles of Authority, Responsibility and Accountability
Video: Implementing Winning on Purpose in Your Church (25 min)
Dana Allin, ECO Synod Executive
Video: Developing Lead Pastor Accountability (20 min)
Dana Allin, ECO Synod Executive
In this document you will find several guidelines and boundary principles for the pastors, session and staff to consider as you move toward this model of church governance. These samples documents are merely some guiding principles you may want to consider as you move forward within the policy governance model.
ECO Church Samples of Guiding Principles Packet (PDF) which includes:
- ECO Church Sample #1: Guiding Principles
- ECO Church Sample #2: Carver Model
- ECO Church Sample #3: Guiding Principles
- ECO Church Sample #4: Retailed Board Authority Document
- ECO Church Sample #5: Senior Pastor Limitations Policy
- ECO Church Sample #6: Guiding Principles
- Best Practices for Leadership Relationships within Local Congregations
Kaiser Model and ECO Polity Docs are available by request and consist of various studies or responses to areas where the policy governance model, particularly as described in Winning on Purpose, might conflict with ECO Polity. If you had concerns as to applying the book model to ECO, knowing that there are some places where conflicts could arise (calling an Associate/Assistant Pastor for example), you will see the work around in these documents. We hope you find these resources useful! In many cases, you might find it necessary to call on an outsider to come and help install this governance system. ECO stands ready to help.
These documents / resources are available on a request basis.
Please use the form below to submit a request.