Official boards of churches can become so focused on the mundane that they neglect to take time for the spiritual side of their servant leaders. Sometimes such meetings begin with a devotional and or a prayer and close with prayer but those activities too easily become routine and fail to tap the spiritual power available. As part of that concern, I would urge the board to occasionally take time to direct their attention to the spiritual life of the board members and their clergy.
Don’t be too abstract and general in directing your attention. It might be uncomfortable at first, but it might be healthy to focus on one person at a time. What if you named one or two of your members or the clergy and then provided time for each member to pray aloud for that person and their faith journey? Then at another meeting you would name a couple more.
Another spiritual discipline might be allowing the Scripture to be the framework of your attention to your spiritual leaders. You could either focus on the whole board, including the clergy or just several of them at a time. With those named in mind, you could begin with an easily singable gospel tune. Then take some time for quiet meditation during which you would ask each member to pay attention to what Bible story or verse comes to mind as they think of the persons identified. It is not important that a person understand why certain Scriptures come to mind, only pay attention to what comes into their minds. Allow the group to help draw out the aspects of that Scripture that might apply.
Depending on how many are focused upon, the time needed would vary but at least one-half hour could be given to reflecting on nurturing the spiritual lives of our clergy and elders or deacons.
Finally, it is also valuable from time to time to simply ask the clergy and or Elders, Deacons, etc. to respond to the question, “How do you see God present in your life lately?” What are some concerns you have in your spiritual journey that you would be willing to have us lift up in prayer. If they are willing, it would also be powerful to have some laying on of hands for the prayer offered on their behalf.
