Board members should manifest the spiritual qualifications for leadership. Board members should have a personally dynamic spiritual life. II Peter 1:5-11 tells us to make every effort to exemplify faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. It continues, "If you possess these in increasing measure . . . ," you will be neither useless nor unfruitful. There isn't a single sin that doesn’t have a ripple effect and that therefore won’t negatively affect how we carry out our ministry as board members.

• Board members should implement Biblical concepts of leadership and management. Biblical leadership includes servant leadership- loving others as Christ first loved us, (John 13) and moral integrity– whatever one does, even outside the center, can reflect on the center itself and its confidence level. Additionally, Biblical management means a fair and decisive leadership style, one that is neither the extreme of tyrannical, controlling leadership that demeans staff and fights for control; nor that of passive, wishy-washy, indecisive leadership that results in miscommunication, hurt feelings, and lack of focus. Board members must have the spiritual maturity to make tough decisions, but also the ability to communicate those in such a way that people are not defamed, discouraged, or abused.

  Maliciousness, on the one hand, and people-pleasing on the other, inevitably cause great dissension.

• Board members should adhere to standards and a statement of faith.
  
  Working in unity toward a common end can only happen if all board members serve with basic agreement on fundamental issues.

  If a board member reaches a point where they no longer agree with a fundamental issue, they should inform rest of board and perhaps resign. Being true to these things enables the board to preserve and maintain the long-term spiritual integrity of their local ministry.

• Board members should practice spiritual oversight through prayer, recruitment of spiritually mature people and by supporting the director with encouragement and support. Spiritual oversight also means having an attitude of denominational diversity. Board members should show a willingness to listen to divergent points of view. Having an open spirit to incorporate different perspectives is an important aspect of being a board member. Clients span the spectrum, the board should too.

  Prayer at meetings and for individual staff needs is important. Incorporating prayer at meetings, at annual retreats and prayer for individual staff needs are all ways to oversee the center spiritually.

  Supporting the director might include enlisting a "Care Committee" who meets with her once a month to pray with her, encourage her, and to hold her accountable.

In summary, "Lead by example" should be the theme for every board member. Developing a deepening spiritual life is thus an essential component of being an effective board member.