How long should an elders' meeting be?

The 9Marks example meets every other week from 7:00 to 9:30 pm, about two and a half hours.

What should elders spend their meeting on?

In the 9Marks pattern, more than an hour on shepherding matters and praying for members by name, then about an hour of business limited to two or three topics.

What makes elders' meetings run badly?

Elders who talk too much or too little, elders who come unprepared, and meetings that run long.

Churches & communitiesBoard & committee

Elder board meeting

150 minutes 3 blocks Free template

A 150-minute elders' meeting in the 9Marks pattern: more than an hour on shepherding and prayer, then two or three business topics.

See the agenda

Opens in the builder. No sign-up to try it; 14 days free to run it live.

By the end of this meetingThe elders have prayed for members by name, handled shepherding matters and settled two or three business items.

150 min · 3 blocks, drawn to scale Fits exactly

Shepherding matters and prayer for members by name, 80 minutes
Business: two or three topics at most, 60 minutes
Close on time, 10 minutes

+0′Shepherding matters and prayer for members by nameTip: Watch for elders who talk too much or too little.80 minDiscuss
+80′Business: two or three topics at mostTip: For example elder nominations, missions or the budget.60 minDecide
+140′Close on time10 minWrap-up

Why it works

Built so the elder board meeting ends on time, with everyone in it.

Discussion with a clock
80 minutes of open floor with a countdown everyone can see, and a talk-balance meter so the loudest voice doesn't take all of it.
It ends in a decision
Capture the decision and its owner with one click while it's said. It lands in the summary, word for word.
Wraps up on time
Decisions and actions are read back, the summary is already written, and a finish on time earns the confetti.

How to run it

1Give shepherding and prayer for members by name the first and largest part of the meeting, more than an hour.
2Limit business to two or three topics at most.
3Ask elders to come prepared.
4Draw out quiet elders and rein in those who talk too much; 9Marks calls over-talking a tax on the others.
5End on time.

Questions about the elder board meeting

How long should an elders' meeting be?: The 9Marks example meets every other week from 7:00 to 9:30 pm, about two and a half hours.
What should elders spend their meeting on?: In the 9Marks pattern, more than an hour on shepherding matters and praying for members by name, then about an hour of business limited to two or three topics.
What makes elders' meetings run badly?: Elders who talk too much or too little, elders who come unprepared, and meetings that run long.

Built from

The structure, timings and tips on this page come from these sources.

9marks.org

All templates

Run this agenda in a minute.

Open it in the builder, adjust the minutes, press Run live. Everyone joins with a scan.

14-day free trial
No card needed
Guests never need an account

Browse templates

Churches & communitiesBoard & committee

Elder board meeting

150 minutes 3 blocks Free template

A 150-minute elders' meeting in the 9Marks pattern: more than an hour on shepherding and prayer, then two or three business topics.

See the agenda

Opens in the builder. No sign-up to try it; 14 days free to run it live.

By the end of this meetingThe elders have prayed for members by name, handled shepherding matters and settled two or three business items.

150 min · 3 blocks, drawn to scale Fits exactly

Shepherding matters and prayer for members by name, 80 minutes
Business: two or three topics at most, 60 minutes
Close on time, 10 minutes

+0′Shepherding matters and prayer for members by nameTip: Watch for elders who talk too much or too little.80 minDiscuss
+80′Business: two or three topics at mostTip: For example elder nominations, missions or the budget.60 minDecide
+140′Close on time10 minWrap-up

Why it works

Built so the elder board meeting ends on time, with everyone in it.

Discussion with a clock
80 minutes of open floor with a countdown everyone can see, and a talk-balance meter so the loudest voice doesn't take all of it.
It ends in a decision
Capture the decision and its owner with one click while it's said. It lands in the summary, word for word.
Wraps up on time
Decisions and actions are read back, the summary is already written, and a finish on time earns the confetti.

How to run it

1Give shepherding and prayer for members by name the first and largest part of the meeting, more than an hour.
2Limit business to two or three topics at most.
3Ask elders to come prepared.
4Draw out quiet elders and rein in those who talk too much; 9Marks calls over-talking a tax on the others.
5End on time.

Questions about the elder board meeting

How long should an elders' meeting be?: The 9Marks example meets every other week from 7:00 to 9:30 pm, about two and a half hours.
What should elders spend their meeting on?: In the 9Marks pattern, more than an hour on shepherding matters and praying for members by name, then about an hour of business limited to two or three topics.
What makes elders' meetings run badly?: Elders who talk too much or too little, elders who come unprepared, and meetings that run long.

Built from

The structure, timings and tips on this page come from these sources.

9marks.org

All templates

Run this agenda in a minute.

Open it in the builder, adjust the minutes, press Run live. Everyone joins with a scan.

14-day free trial
No card needed
Guests never need an account

Browse templates

Elder board meeting

Built so the elder board meeting ends on time, with everyone in it.

Discussion with a clock

It ends in a decision

Wraps up on time

How to run it

Questions about the elder board meeting

Built from

Related templates

Run this agenda in a minute.

Elder board meeting

Built so the elder board meeting ends on time, with everyone in it.

Discussion with a clock

It ends in a decision

Wraps up on time

How to run it

Questions about the elder board meeting

Built from

Related templates

Run this agenda in a minute.