The Three Legged Stool

Dr Falwell used to often say that, "Everything rises and falls on leadership." I think he's right. Here at the E-Free Church in Gaylord, Michigan, we have a very unique leadership structure. I like to refer to it as the "Three Legged Stool" of leadership. That's because it is made up of three parts.

First, there is the Elder Board led by the Elder Chairman. They are primarily responsible for the spiritual leadership of our ministry.

Second, there is the Leadership Team led by the Church Chairman. They are primarily responsible for the overall management of our ministry.

Third, there is the Staff led by the Lead Pastor. They are responsible for carrying out the day to day aspects of our ministry.

To me, the key to our church continuing to move forward is to see all three of these groups on the same page and unified in our purpose and direction. If this is the case, I honestly believe that the sky is the limit on what we can accomplish as a church in our community and around the world. If this is not the case, then our ministry will become like a three-legged stool with each leg being a different length producing a very unstable stool.

To accomplish this we are working hard on making communication between these three groups a priority. As Lead Pastor, I lead our staff; I am on the Elder Board; and I attend the Leadership Team meetings. This gives a common denominator to make sure that communication between the groups is taking place. As Lead Pastor I also meet with the Elder Chairman and Church Chairman twice a month to ensure that we are all on the same page as we move forward as a ministry.

These three groups are made up of amazing individuals who have a real heart for God and a deep desire to see our church reach our redemptive potential. With these three groups on the same page we become a stable stool with a foundation that will allow us to meet as many people as possible right where they are and help move them to where God wants them to be!

I praise God for our Elder Board; our Leadership Team and our Staff. It is a joy and a privilege to roll up my sleeves together with them for the cause of Christ in this place!

So, E-Free Church, have a seat! The stool is stable!