Mark Clifton and Mark Hallock discuss some important aspects of effective church business meetings.

1. Stick with Robert’s Rules of Order.
2. Be optimistic about the tone of the meeting.
3. Find ways to build consensus, particularly on contention issues, beforehand.
4. Have tactical patience when it comes to divisive issues.
5. Begin the meeting with worship and prayer.
6. Spend some time with the matriarchs and patriarchs of your church to get the history of business meetings in your church.