I’ve probably sat through 100 congregational meetings in my life. Gordon Keddie’s article on that topic (p. 6) caused me to muse a while on practical ways to make those meetings more like they should be. These are merely my own suggestions.

Do your homework. Being a member carries with it certain routine duties. But when everyone does his/her duty, it’s a blessing to see how much easier church burdens and routines become. If your church sends out reports ahead of time, be sure to read them and pray over them. There might be times when you are even prompted to call and ask someone a question or make a comment prior to the meeting so that you are better prepared.

Show up, and with prayerful anticipation. I’m amazed in my own life about how a prayer said on my way to a routine meeting has transformed my attitude and prepared me for God’s work through that meeting.

Participate thoughtfully. That will be much easier if you’ve done your homework and prayed about the meeting. Participation can take many forms, from joining in affirmation for some servant of the church to making a motion for congregational action. Nearly every person whose work is discussed at a congregational meeting is a volunteer or a modestly paid minister, so don’t undestimate the power of simply rising with a “thank you.” If you have a negative comment to make, remember to put it in a context of that servant or that group’s overall work and heart. Suggest a solution if you can, rather than merely criticizing what is lacking. Think carefully before you speak. What to you is a minor issue might come across as a major criticism of someone’s life work.

Use the procedures wisely. To facilitate discussion and real action at church meetings, you need to be familiar with the rules of procedure—which often entail some basics of Robert’s Rules of Order. Simply knowing how to make a motion, and wording that motion wisely, can do a lot to keep a meeting focused on constructive action for Christ’s kingdom.

Take your report seriously. If you are responsible to give a report, make the time count. Never read a report. People can read it ahead of time, and even if it has just been distributed, they can sight read several times faster than you can read aloud. The report should say what needs to be said, so just take 60 seconds to highlight your most important point and take questions and comments. Always count people’s time as precious and remember that there are many other reports on the agenda.

Change takes time. The larger your church, the longer it will likely take to make changes. People need time to respond to big changes and assimilate them into their lives and routines. Your making one comment or making one motion in a congregational meeting probably isn’t going to cause a huge step forward for your church overnight. A wise person plans for the big picture and the long haul.

Keeping your eyes on the big picture and the kingdom work also helps you cope when the tone of a meeting seems negative. If leaders and members address those negatives with the goal of moving forward and seeking greater unity in Christ, a bad meeting could easily “work together for good.”