Are there similarities between a group of elders and a nonprofit board of directors?
A group of elders and a nonprofit board are both responsible, for example, to clarify basic organizational policies. Both are responsible for clarifying overall mission. Both are responsible for preservation of basic values. Both require a plurality of minds to provide wisdom and guidance. Both require persons of sound judgment and integrity. So what sets elders apart from a nonprofit board? Unfortunately, in many churches there arent many differences, though I believe there are significant differences. Some examples would be that boards of nonprofits satisfy government regulations (thats one of their tasks), but elders and shepherds nurture communities of devoted Christ-followers. Nonprofit boards require no biblical qualities of spiritual leadership. But the role of biblical shepherds does rely on those characteristics of moral suasion, faith, and character. A spiritual leader is the kind of person God-hungry people want to be like. A board member is a corporate functionary primarily
