Governance and Ministry by Dan Hotchkiss Summary

Governance and Ministry provides a roadmap for congregations to optimize leadership structures by balancing mission-driven governance with operational efficiency. It emphasizes redefining board roles, improving clergy-lay collaboration, and adapting governance models to congregation size. The second edition adds practical tools for policy-making, change management, and real-world examples from diverse denominations.

This book is essential for clergy, board members, and consultants in churches or synagogues seeking to streamline decision-making and align governance with mission. It’s particularly valuable for leaders navigating growth, restructuring, or intergenerational transitions in congregations of all sizes.

Yes—the second edition refines its predecessor with updated frameworks, case studies, and appendices like a Board Policy Book template. Readers praise its actionable advice for reducing bureaucratic bottlenecks and fostering clergy-lay partnerships, calling it a “must-have” for organizational change.

Key ideas include:

• Mission-aligned governance: Structuring boards to focus on long-term vision rather than micromanagement.
• Size-sensitive models: Tailoring governance to small, mid-sized, or large congregations.
• Policy-driven delegation: Empowering staff/volunteers through clear role boundaries.

Hotchkiss advocates for a collaborative partnership where clergy lead ministry operations while boards steward mission and resources. The book provides frameworks to clarify responsibilities, reduce approval bottlenecks, and build accountability without overstepping roles.

Yes—Appendix B offers a unified Board Policy Book example, showcasing how to document financial oversight, personnel policies, and strategic priorities. Hotchkiss also links to policies from congregations like the Unitarian Church of Ottawa and Edmonton Presbytery.

Unlike Carver’s top-down model, Hotchkiss emphasizes adaptable frameworks that balance board oversight with staff autonomy. He prioritizes mission alignment over rigid procedures and offers tailored solutions for faith communities.

Hotchkiss outlines a four-phase process:

1. Assessment: Auditing current pain points.
2. Visioning: Defining post-change goals.
3. Design: Crafting policies and role descriptions.
4. Transition: Managing communication and training to minimize resistance.

Small congregations thrive with hands-on boards, midsize groups need clearer staff delegation, and large churches require professionalized governance structures. The book details how growth thresholds (e.g., 150+ members) necessitate model shifts.

Examples include the First Unitarian Society of Madison, Community Church of Chapel Hill, and Metropolitan Community Churches. Their publicly shared policies reflect adaptations of Hotchkiss’s frameworks for finance, personnel, and strategic planning.

Hotchkiss likens governance changes to “reprogramming a computer”—transitioning requires overwriting old habits with new systems. He stresses that success hinges on aligning structures with mission, not just copying other congregations.

While praised for practicality, some note its focus on Judeo-Christian contexts may require adaptation for secular nonprofits. However, its principles on role clarity and policy design remain broadly applicable.