The Soul Shepherding, Inc. Board of Directors voted on these operating principles on July 31, 2009 and modified them on March 19, 2010.
1. For the Kingdom of God
Soul Shepherding exists to glorify God and advance his kingdom by encouraging pastors and ministry leaders to be with Jesus in order to become like him. All ministry decisions will be based on the answer to the question, “What is the best investment of resources for the kingdom of God?”
2. Submission to Christ
Bill and Kristi lead the Soul Shepherding ministry in submission to the authority of the Board of Directors, as unto Christ. Bill and Kristi help to lead Board Meetings, but do not have a vote on finances or any matters of governance. Bill and Kristi are accountable to the Board as a group for their ministry schedules and to stay within budget (and to seek Board approval for adjustments as needed).
3. Spiritual Formation
Monthly Board Meetings are an expression of Soul Shepherding and are conducted as spiritual formation gatherings (not business meetings) of ministry leaders who are apprenticed to Jesus. Together we meet with Jesus to become more like him and help one another to be led by the Holy Spirit in the way that we lead Soul Shepherding and our lives. Every Board decision is treated as a matter of prayerfully discerning God’s will.
4. Unity
Soul Shepherding waits to move forward on matters requiring Board approval until all the Directors are unanimous. (Although this is not legally required in the Bylaws.) This helps us to consider the ideas and concerns of everyone and to wait together for the leading of the Holy Spirit. The result of this process may be unity to go forward on a decision, member concerns causing us to decline to go forward, or a dissenting member choosing to submit to the others on the Board. In the event that the Board remains divided and this results in stalling needed ministry for leaders then the Board will prayerfully consider re-structuring.
5. Dependence on God
Bill and Kristi and Board members communicate the vision and ministry of Soul Shepherding to prospective donors, inviting them to pray about supporting the ministry. As needed the Board will establish suggested donation/honorarium amounts for ministry activities.
6. Secrecy
The amounts of money that donors give to Soul Shepherding can be kept anonymous to Bill and Kristi. In that case our volunteer accountant will handle bookkeeping and provide a report to Bill and Kristi with only the names of these donors so that they can thank and pray for them.
7. Integrity
The finances of Soul Shepherding are governed by the Board of Directors (which Bill and Kristi are not on) and managed by our volunteer accountant. A financial report is available to people upon written request.
