Worship Resources Article Index
Why Write Policies?
by Darcy
L. Watkins
The answer becomes clear as we consider a case example
being the question of whether or not to include non-believers
on your worship team.
For this case, I think that it is safest to have a
written policy guide which states that non-believers
should not be admitted to the worship team. This whole
issue should then be treated on a case by case basis
as you would whenever you would allow an exception to
a policy guideline.
When you establish policies, you don't cast rules in
stone. Rather what you do is define criteria in which
you can freely operate. When having to deal with an
exception to policy, you should always consult with
your pastor or co-leaders to obtain an approval for
the exception. You should then record this approval
in written form, (e.g. minutes of a meeting). In fact,
the procedure to handle exceptions to policies should
itself be documented.
So for the example at hand, in stating the policy,
you may freely recruit and train Christians in good
standing, but must go through a procedure of obtaining
approval for handling non-believers. This protects you
from being accused of favoritism if someone chances
to bring a non-believer friend and then says, "What
about so-and-so". When such a request
come in, you can go see your pastor (or co-leaders)
discuss the matter and as a group determine the outcome.
If there is already a non-believer, it would be easy
for the group to say "No! One at a time is more
than enough". You then become the deliverer
of the decision rather than being in the awkward position
of having to defend it in front of others.
It is still important that matters of policy and exception
handling procedures be applied in a straightforward
manner without partiality or hypocrisy. Written policies
may assist with the process of deal with people where
a formal approach is needed, but no one can fool God.
He sees the heart.
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