DEAR HARRIETTE: I sit on the leadership board at my church, and I feel like two of the members have too much power regarding the affairs of the church. The wife heads the teaching department as well as the finance department. The husband owns a contracting company, and the church administrator awarded him the contract to move our church to a new location and build a new office space. He is also doing work on the pastor's house. Two people should not have a stranglehold when it comes to the church. There are too many talented people at our congregation, and I believe in sharing the wealth. I would like to figure out a way to give everyone an opportunity to manage the various offices. -- Just an Observation, New York City
DEAR JUST AN OBSERVATION: It seems to me that the leadership board should have had a say in what contracts are awarded to what companies, as well as who fills what functions. Sometimes only a few people in a congregation step up to fulfill the various duties that need to be managed. It could be that these people are extremely eager and available to be hands-on. That does not excuse, however, the need for checks and balances when it comes to managing responsibilities and resources.
Go to your board president and inquire about the roles that these two people are fulfilling. Ask how the determination came to give them these duties, and point out that you do not think it is fair. Request that the board review these appointments and hires as well as all roles in the church to determine whether it is allocating resources equitably. As you do this, expect pushback. Whoever made the decision to allow these people to do these jobs will not want to be questioned. That's why you have a board. You can bring the topic to a board meeting even if the board president prefers that you didn't. Just be sure to follow protocol.