Our Case Studies have been described as the most entertaining part of the day. We have a friendly draft of Elders from the delegates. These 3 or 4 Elders are presented with a hypothetical situation that Elders might face. After their first and second impressions, we open it up to the floor for discussion.
After a long difficult effort, your congregation has adjusted it's worship services. You have recruited a Praise Team to lead in the music portion of the service, and have gone to a blended style, mixing traditional hymns and modern choruses.
Some of the Praise Team members are sensitive to the criticism they have received from those in the congregation who have resisted the changes. Part of the challenge among the leadership has been to facilitate these changes, while attempting to soothe the emotions of all concerned.
Two months after the Praise Teams begin to lead in the services, one of the ladies wears a dress that is rather short. When she sits down for the Communion Meditation she does not sit as lady-like as she could have.
Some in the congregation privately complain about this to the Elders. You share their concern. The Elders want to tactfully address this issue without alienating those on the Praise Team.
What do you do?
An Elder has the routine of pushing through "pet projects" he wants passed and instituted. Often he uses the Elder's meetings as a forum to get the church to financially support his favorite projects and missions. Other Elders are made to feel foolish or unspiritual if they do not go along with his desires.
He has also been known to speak roughly to members of the church family when he disagrees with what they are doing or how they are going it.
How do you deal with this Elder?
Your congregation receives a HUGE donation, totaling over a million dollars. Some want to pay off the debt, others to give a 10% tithe to missions or more, still others talk about adding staff or starting a new building addition.
What do the elders advise?
[PAUSE, ALLOW DISCUSSION]
Additional information has arrived about the donation. It turns out to have been winnings from the Powerball Lottery.
Now what? Does that change your decision?
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