A Board is a Board When ...

                Imagine a banker being given a board (as in Board of Directors) to help him or her with the bank.  The people are housewives, high school coaches, mechanics, and doctors.  They all say, “I’ve touched money.”  They say it with a sense of this qualifying them for being on the board. 

                Imagine a dentist being given a board to help him or her with the dental practice.  The people are plumbers, software engineers, and building contractors.  They all say, “I’ve got teeth and I’ve brushed my teeth.”  They say it with a sense of this qualifying them for being on the board. 

                Imagine a pastor being given a board to help him or her with the church ministry.  The people are lawyers, retired painters, and computer consultants.  They all say, “I’m a Christian.”  They say it with a sense of this qualifying them for being on the board. 

                In each case, the banker, the dentist, and the pastor, may truly be assisted by a perspective that is novice to that particular industry.   Indoctrination has its perils for the professionals.  Wasn’t it groupthink that had space scientists trying to invent a pen that could write without gravity when someone not caught in that suggested using a pencil?  There is always the value of fresh eyes.  There is a consumer and layman’s orientation that is invaluable. 

                But there is also a need for both training and differentiation.  Differentiation, the professional banker has a deeper and wider and more nuanced understanding of money generally than those who just have had dollar bills in their wallets.  Same thing with the dentist who has looked into hundreds of mouths.  Even true with a pastor.  And training those board  members to know some of what the 24x7 professionals know, will help them be real helpers. 

                Pastors, do elder training.  It’ll help you, them, and the whole church.