Although I am not a moderate, I do serve as a moderator. Since our church bylaws give the Pastor that responsibility, I do this about ten times per year. Occasionally, I run into that fairly rare situation in which my role as Pastor places me in the best position to speak intelligently about a concern, to actively propose or describe a situation in church life, or to address a matter from the perspective of one who is advocating a certain course of action.
I certainly understand that it is not the moderator’s role to advocate a position, but frankly, to guide the discussion, rule on motions, announce decisions and follow the appropriate rules of order so all things might be done with the proper decorum. In every church where I have served, the Pastor has always been the Moderator for business meetings.
A few years ago, I was speaking with a fellow pastor I trust, one with thirty years experience at the same church and almost fifty years experience in ministry. He told me that he speaks at business meetings, sharing his heart and vision, and proposing courses of action at times, but that someone else in the congregation serves as the moderator.
SBC Voices, I have questions. At your church, does the Pastor moderate? If so, does that always work out? If the Pastor does not moderate, do you like that arrangement or not? What are the pros and cons? Which way do you think is best? I simply have no experience with the “Pastor Not Moderator” approach, and I’m wondering if people who do like it or hate it? The floor is open for discussion.