Church boards are often the scene of confusion, conflict, and chaos. What’s the job of a board? What’s the role of the pastor in relation to the board? Should there be an elder board and an administration board? Ted Hull’s use of illustrations and analogies bring these questions –and answers –into focus.
Ted first looks at the foundation of governance, both from a biblical and historical perspective. Then he introduces Policy Governance®, often referred to as the Carver model, and confronts questions regarding whether this secular model can work in the church, or if it should even be allowed. He even argues for why a church board may not want to use Policy Governance.
When you’re done reading, you’ll never look at the role of a church board in the same way again. In fact, whether you’re a member of your church board or the board of any charity, you’ll find yourself reaching for this book more than once.
“With wit and wisdom, Ted draws from his rich and practical experience in church life and organizational governance to assist churches in understanding and applying Policy Governance consistently and correctly.”
Daniel Hamil, Ed.D.
Executive Director/CEO
North American Baptist Conference
“Ted Hull approaches the topic of church governance in an engaging style that has you laughing and nodding… Even if you tend to be a ‘doubting Thomas,’ I urge you to suspend your doubts long enough to read and absorb the message of this book.”
Jannice Moore
President, The Governance CoachTM
Finding the right answers for governing charities begins with asking the right questions. In this book, Ted Hull answers sixteen questions every board member wants to ask, is afraid to ask or is too tired to ask. A Guide to Governing Charities is not about tweaking your current governance process; it's about your board moving in a whole new direction. If you are weary of board meetings that are long on discussion, but short on direction, this is the must-read and easy-to-read book you have been looking for.
“This book is destined to be mandatory reading for charity leadership teams...”
Ron Pearce
Executive Director/Founder Empower Ministries
“Ted sharpens me every time I'm around him, and here he does it again.”
Bill Ehlers
Board member, Avant Ministries International
“Where was this book when I was beginning to learn this stuff?”
Jamey McDonald
Executive Director, Baptist General Conference of Canada
“If you can't ask these questions to Ted personally, working your way through A Guide to Governance Charities is the next best thing.”
Tom Castor
Senior Pastor
Grant Memorial Baptist Church
RELEASE DATE: November 17th, 2015
Running Up Front will transport you from the grandstand to pit lane, from your TV to turn four, so you’ll never view stock car racing –or life –in the same way again. There is a message underneath the roar of the engines, a view of life from the spotter’s stand, and lessons to be learned during a thirteen-second pit stop.
In the same way as winning race teams have access to virtually limitless resources, we can have access to the unlimited divine resources which fuel a successful life. Like spotters who have a broad view of the track, we need people in our lives who see things in and around us to which we are oblivious. Drivers can get caught up in crashes they didn’t cause and couldn’t avoid, just as we can be the victims of personal and relational wrecks. These are a few of the fifteen life lessons we can learn from stock car racing.
Ted draws on his own life experiences, including some of his wins and wrecks. His desire is that you will be encouraged and challenged to drive the race of your life that will have you Running Up Front.
Ted Hull has been running up front over a thirty-year career as a consultant and counsellor, and now he shares what he has learned so we all can visit Victory Lane.
In Running Up Front, you’ll be part of a pit crew, realizing that winning in life means you work at doing well what you do best, and you do it as part of a larger team. Then as you’re strapped in the driver’s seat in a way that prevents you from seeing those imperceptible blind spots, you’re reminded that life-spotters are necessary—those trusted friends who point out areas in your life that you don’t see, but may need adjusting. And Ted, who has had his share of crashes, identifies why wrecks put us off course, but also, like the best mechanics in a NASCAR garage, his wise advice can get you back in the race as quickly as possible.
Ted combines these analogies, and several others from racing, with his personal experience and the everyday situations we all face. His challenge to the reader is to live life with renewed focus. We can all race to Victory Lane.
So climb in your car, buckle up, and be confident that the One who put you behind the wheel will make sure that you have all that you need for running up front.
—Mike Yorkey
author of the Playing with Purpose series and co-author of the Every Man’s Battle series
“The Christian life is often likened to running a race, but what exactly are we racing towards? Careers? Fame? Wealth? Achievements? In “Running Up Front” Ted Hull reminds us that there is just one checkered flag worthy of our focus, and that what we are racing towards is just as important as how we run our race."
Kyle Froman
Cha Chaplain with MRO
Co-Author of “The Race: Living Life on Track
