3 Tips for a great ACM
A Church’s Annual Congregational meeting can be a beautiful thing to behold. An ACM can speak volumes about a Church’s values, unity and the integrity with which she makes decisions. I was speaking recently to one of our members who’s first time at Reforming was an ACM Sunday. I told them how I was sure they wouldn’t come back but to my surprise the ACM actually convinced them that Reforming was a church with systems of accountability and he loved it!
But boy ACM’s can be ugly too, even sweet beloved Reforming has had some pretty tense ACM’s. So, to make the most of this gospel opportunity I thought it helpful to share 3 tips for congregational members: Prayer, Preparation and Positive engagement.
Prayer
As Christians we recognise that we have both a helper and an adversary, so because of these two truths we ought be reliant on prayer in everything. Satan loves to sow seeds of discord in the family of God and an ACM is a ripe opportunity to inflame emotion and personal preferences. We need the Lord’s help to show the fruit of the spirit as we work together as a church family. Pray that we would honour the Lord in our attitudes, words and actions. Pray that we would have a culture of encouragement rather than criticism and that the Lord would continue to give wisdom as a church family.
Preparation
A great way to be actively and helpfully engaged in the ACM is to pre-read the reports. An ACM contains reports from the Staff, the Board (including the budget), the Session and various ministry areas of the church such as Youth group and Playgroup. It’s an encouraging read! If you read these reports early you have time to think of helpful ways to engage with the reports. Often ACM’s can get bogged with questions about the budget which can be easily answered before the meeting. So have a look – if there is something you don’t understand perhaps consider asking Board members prior to the meeting. ACM’s are also not the place to make suggestions about new ministry areas or ideas. If your creative juices get flowing feel free to send your proposals directly to the elders, the ACM is for discussing the current reports. Another important way to be prepared is to become a member of Reforming. Everyone is welcome to attend the ACM but only members are permitted to ask questions, discuss or vote. So why not join team Reforming and get involved?
Positive
ACM’s should be a celebration of what God has done and our plans and prayers for what he will do in the coming year. So, plan how you can make a positive comment or contribution. Don’t just come to give questions or concerns, come prepared to give thanks and recognition and appreciation for those who have served. Someone can thank the Board for their dedication, someone else can thank God for what he has done through the playgroup, a parent of a youth grouper could celebrate how the ministry has supported them as a family. Imagine how an ACM would feel and sound if we were prepared to celebrate rather than just deliberate and how BEAUTIFUL that would be for those watching.
