Constitutions And Solutions

Yesterday I blogged about some of the things that can go wrong with Church constitutions (or perhaps rather, meetings which are held under Church constitutions). Here are some things I have observed with regard to overcoming apparent impasses. Assuming that ordinary "people skills" don't get a meeting back on a good track, there are various options: It may be possible to put a crisis-busting vote to the members. For instance: "I propose that we shut this down." Another possible move is to exercise spiritual authority -- which is hard to define. If one switches from technical talk and speaks instead "in the Holy Spirit", this may be a powerful means of getting through an impasse. In less obstructive situations, one may hold a vote over to another meeting. And something I have seen in meetings of other cultures: strike up a hymn!