Decisions by Consensus
at Community Christian Church
3/25/04

In 1998 we put together a team to re-write our constitution and bylaws.  The most significant change was the removal of Robert's Rules of Order as our operating standard and the initiation of consensus decision making at all levels. 
 
Since that time, we have made decisions by consensus at every level, including the annual congregational meeting.
 
In preparation for consensus decision making at our first full congregational meeting, I published the following article in our newsletter to clarify the process.
 
"The goal of consensus decision-making is that we will all agree to move forward with an item before we proceed.  Unlike voting, consensus means that any opposition to the decision will halt the process until the concerns are resolved.  Resolving concerns may mean that an understanding is achieved and all of us are in agreement.  Or it may mean that sufficient understanding is achieved that those opposed are willing to step aside and let the majority decision proceed.  The individual has far more value in consensus decision making because the goal is harmony and unity in the church family."
 
"In practice, consensus decision making means that we will not vote, but will discuss any questions or comments on the item.  Then we will be asked, "Is there anyone who is not ready for us to adopt this item (or elect these officers)?" or "Is there any unwillingness to proceed with adopting this item?" or "Is there any reason why we should not proceed with the adoption of this item?".  Sometimes all three forms of the question will be asked, with each question allowing a person to say "yes" if they are not ready to accept the item being discussed.  If there is anyone who says, "yes", then we stop and seek to come to an understanding that will allow us to proceed in harmony and unity."
 
For full congregational meetings, our process includes publishing full details of any decision that is offered for consensus, well in advance of the congregational meeting. We also hold discussion meetings prior to the congregational meeting. At these meetings, most questions and comments are received and issues clarified.  If we cannot achieve consensus at the congregational meeting, we end the meeting, schedule another discussion meeting to address the issues and another congregational meeting to seek consensus again.  Only once since 1998 have we failed to reach consensus at the first congregational meeting.
 
Even though the congregation voted to begin using consensus decision making, initial responses were not all positive. One of our team leaders resigned because she didn't like consensus.  Some of our people wanted a secret ballot and also wanted to be able to write anonymous statements and complaints about budget issues etc.  However, after our first few experiences with the process, the opponents of consensus decision making were more positive and some even voiced an appreciation for the consensus process. 
 
Today, consensus decision making seems a natural part of the life of the church.  With the consensus process has come a deeper commitment to discernment.  It is not unusual for us to discuss an issue at our Mission Council (board) meetings, then commit the issue to prayer for discernment of God's will, and seek a decision at the next meeting, or at a called meeting a week later.  It is more important to seek a common insight of God's leading than to make a quick and efficient decision based on our own preferences.
 
For us, there are three key elements of a successful decision by consensus: providing adequate time for all concerns to be heard, asking the consensus questions at least three times, and always presenting those questions in such a way that those who are not ready for consensus can say "yes".  The proper phrasing of the call to consensus seems so important that we prepare a script of those questions for the one who will present them.  The script prepared for presenting the budget at our 2003 annual congregational meeting is offered below as an example.
 
*********************************************
 
"We have had good preparation of the budget this year. 
 
The Stewardship Team prepared the initial proposal.  The Mission Council discussed and edited it.  A discussion meeting was held to answer questions and hear comments.
 
The budget proposed for our ministry together in 2004 is $172,338.00 
 


"At this time we are ready to seek to adopt this budget by consensus.
 
I will ask three times if there is anyone who is not ready for us to adopt the budget.  If there is, say "yes" and we'll stop and try to answer the concern.
 
Otherwise, we will declare that we have adopted the budget by consensus.
 


"Is there any unwillingness to proceed with adopting this budget?"
<pause for response>
 
"Is there any reason why we should not proceed with the adoption of this budget?" <pause for response>
 
"Is there anyone who is not ready for us to adopt this budget?"
<pause for response>
 


(If there are no responses then...)
 
"Our budget for 2004 is adopted by consensus.   I'll ask our pastor to dismiss us with a prayer."
 
(If there is anyone who says, "yes", then we stop for discussion and seek to come to an understanding that will allow us to proceed in harmony and unity.  Then we ask the three questions again and try for consensus. )
 
(If the concerns continue to block consensus, we can ask,)
 
"Will those who still have concerns agree to step aside and allow the majority to adopt the budget." 
 
If they say "yes" then we can declare that the budget is adopted by consensus, with a reservation noted.
 
If they say "no", then we table the budget decision and announce that we will call a meeting soon to seek to resolve the concerns.
 
Then say, "I'll ask our pastor to dismiss us with prayer."
 
Wayne Majors
Community Christian Church - Ponca City, OK
 
 
 
 
 
The idea of using consensus for decision making in Christian community is not unique to The Jesus Connection process, but we feel it is an integral part of the process, one of the eleven steps in Jan Linn's book "Reclaiming Evangelism," we encourage congregations to use for transformation.  Wayne Majors from Ponca City, Oklahoma shared how his congregation adopted and has used consensus at our Covenant Pastors' Retreat last month and we asked him to share his process as a Reflection on  Transformation. 
 
Loren M. Olson, Pastor
First United Church, Little Falls, MN