All FBC Leadership Team members have specific areas of responsibility. We call these Portfolios.
What is the purpose of these Portfolios?
We want to be sure that FBC attendees know where to go to seek answers to any questions they may have, where to raise any issues, and where to make suggestions for change or improvement. We want to make it as easy as possible for FBC attendees to work in ways that align with the following FBC “in our whanau” statement:
In our church family/whānau, we follow a “how can I help” approach. If we see something that needs change or improvement, we take responsibility as individuals to proactively and constructively work with the relevant Leadership Team member or Ministry Leader to address the matter.
The allocation of Leadership Team Portfolios, and the approach we will take after a matter is raised with a Portfolio holder, is a new way of working commencing in 2023. We hope it will ensure good communication and facilitate the timely addressing of the matters raised with the relevant person.
Feedback/questions can also be sent to leaders@fbc.nz
How do the Portfolios align with existing accountability structures?
The Leadership Team Portfolios are not intended to duplicate the things that FBC Staff or volunteer Ministry Teams are already accountable/responsible for. For example, if an FBC attendee has questions/feedback/suggestions about Children’s Ministry or about our day to day finances, they should still engage with the Children and Families Pastor/Treasurer as appropriate.
Instead, Portfolios mainly cover things where there is an overarching applicability to many ministries/aspects of church life. For example, policies and procedures, or prayer.
What are they?
View the current list of Leadership Team portfolios.
What does the portfolio holder do when approached?
When a portfolio holder is approached with questions/feedback/suggestions about a matter within a particular Portfolio, they will firstly assess whether the matter under discussion is better escalated to a particular staff member to facilitate resolution/action. If that is the case, the Portfolio holder will raise the matter with the relevant staff member, and that staff member will manage the matter to completion. Then the staff team member will informally update the Portfolio holder about the outcome just to close the loop.
If the questions/feedback/suggestions relate to matters outside staff member accountabilities, the Portfolio owner will work with the raiser, and any others as necessary, supporting them to facilitate resolution/action.
It is important to note that the Portfolio owner’s role is predominantly one of facilitation rather than being the doer/fixer. This approach is aligned with the intent behind the above whānau statement, which emphasises the importance of individuals taking responsibility to proactively and constructively work with the relevant Leadership/Staff Team member to address the matter raised.
It is anticipated that there will be situations where a congregant will raise an issue with a Portfolio holder or staff member to express concern or frustration, without wanting to be involved in finding a solution. In those situations the Portfolio holder/staff member will clearly state that they are going to raise the matter in the relevant forum so that appropriate action can be taken and so it can be decided how to keep the issue raiser informed.
How do the Portfolio holders interact?
It is essential that the portfolio holders/staff don’t operate in isolation. At each LT meeting there is an opportunity for any matters raised to be discussed. This will enable the team to share all matters that have arisen and coordinate / agree any actions to be taken in response.
How do we anticipate that the Portfolio approach will assist FBC staff?
All of our FBC staff (apart from the Senior Pastor) report to the Executive Pastor. It would be usual, therefore, for staff to discuss any questions/feedback/suggestions that they themselves have received from congregants with the Executive Pastor in the first instance, agreeing between them how to action any required change. We don’t want the concept of LT Portfolios to add any other unnecessary layers or stop our staff team from just getting on with things!
However, we acknowledge that there might be occasions where the staff team would want to involve a portfolio holder to get advice or seek input on something. Knowing who holds the relevant portfolio is expected to be helpful in this regard.