Charles Olsen in his perceptive...
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Charles Olsen in his perceptive book, Transforming Church Boards, helps congregations appreciate their own heritage and the diversity of God-appointed leaders who have been raised up during their history. In working with church boards Olsen often uses the exercise of having each of the officers sit in a circle (as if they were a clock) in the order in which they came to be associated with the church. Hence, you have the earliest church members at one end and the most recent members at the other hand of the clock. Then the people introduce themselves by telling when and how they first came in contact with this particular church. Further, they are asked to share who at the church had influenced them and how they saw God opening new doors. What soon becomes evident in doing this exercise is that the people become aware that a rich diversity of God's gifts of ministry has been given to this particular church during the years. It soon becomes evident just who has been used by God at various points of time to influence and inspire the present leaders of the church. Some revelations are expected; others may come as a surprise. -- Hasler
