Picture this scenario: You arrive at the committee or board meeting, the chairman has placed copies of the agenda on the table, each person takes an agenda and goes to their seat, and the chairman calls on someone to lead in a quick prayer before starting on the business to be done. The meeting includes, among other things, discussion of critical financial concerns as well as personnel issues. There are differences of opinion, voices are raised, agreement is elusive, and the meeting drags on, problems unresolved.
Or picture this scenario: You arrive at the meeting, copies of the agenda are on the table, each person takes an agenda and goes to their seat. The chairman then puts the papers aside and turns to a passage of scripture or the words of a song, and for the next 15-20 minutes the group quiets their hearts before God and worships Him. “Be Thou my vision” is their prayer as they intentionally put aside the personal agendas and concerns they brought into the room with them, and prepare themselves to hear God’s voice during the meeting.
Business proceeds according to the agenda, but when a sticky problem arises and there seems to be no ready solution, someone says, “We need to stop and pray about this,” and they do — placing the matter before God and asking for His guidance. The meeting continues, following this same pattern: discussion punctuated by frequent pauses to hear from God. An attitude of humility, unity, and openness to the Holy Spirit is present in the room. As the meeting ends, you realize that not only were problems resolved, but business was finished on time and a spirit of love prevailed.
Which of these scenarios have you experienced? I’ve been in both situations and seen firsthand the difference when we begin with a focused time of worship (not just the expected prayer or “devotional”) and pause for spontaneous prayer throughout the meeting. Were those prayer times on the agenda? No. But someone sensed a need to quiet our spirits and focus again on hearing God, and wasn’t afraid to say so.
Why don’t we take more time for prayer and worship in our board meetings? Do we think we have too much to do? Do we think a quick verse of scripture and a perfunctory prayer are sufficient? What does God think of our attitude about doing His business? Is He pleased that we barely acknowledge Him or ask His opinion?
What difference would there be in our church boards, committees, and organizational meetings if we first took time to worship God, to confess wrong attitudes, and acknowledge Him as Lord of our hearts, churches, and ministries? Do we have to choose between work and worship, or can we (and should we) do both?
