A church trustee is a member of a church who is entrusted with certain responsibilities and duties within the church organization. The specific role and responsibilities of a trustee may vary somewhat between different denominations and church structures, but there are some common biblical principles and practices regarding church trustees.
Biblical Basis for Church Trustees
The concept of having trustees in the church has a biblical foundation. In Acts 6:1-7, the early church was growing rapidly and some logistical needs arose regarding the distribution of food among different groups of people. The apostles, who were focused on prayer and preaching ministry, instructed the congregation to select seven men to handle this responsibility. These men are not directly called “trustees” here, but the passage shows the concept of entrusting certain men to handle practical matters in order to free the apostles to emphasize spiritual ones.
1 Timothy 3 sets forth qualifications for overseers and deacons in the church. While trustees are not the same role as overseers or deacons, these qualifications of being above reproach, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not addicted to wine, not greedy for money, etc. apply to anyone in church leadership. Those who serve as trustees should exemplify Christ-like character.
The Bible teaches generally about the importance of being trustworthy stewards with that which the Lord has given us (Luke 16:10-12, 1 Corinthians 4:2). Church trustees particularly steward and oversee the facilities, legal matters, and often finances of the church for the furtherance of its gospel mission.
Common Responsibilities of Church Trustees
While the specific duties of trustees differ between churches, there are many common responsibilities church trustees are often tasked with carrying out. These include:
- Overseeing the financial matters of the church – Trustees may assist with budgeting, accounting, investments, reviewing financial policies and procedures, etc. They aim to promote responsible stewardship of the church’s finances.
- Managing the facilities and properties of the church – Trustees ensure the maintenance, insurance, security, enhancements, etc. of all the church’s buildings, vehicles, and other property assets.
- Handling legal matters – Trustees review contracts, rental agreements, and other legal documents on behalf of the church. They also ensure the church complies with all applicable state regulations and tax laws.
- Providing guidance on policies – Trustees may recommend or revise various church policies related to financial matters, building use, weddings and funerals, employment issues, etc.
- Serving as liaisons – Trustees may serve as points of contact between the church and the community, vendors, tenants, regulatory agencies, attorneys, etc.
- Making recommendations – Trustees study issues and bring recommendations to church boards or committees about major purchases, projects, staffing needs, etc.
In carrying out these duties, trustees aim to handle matters efficiently and effectively so that the rest of the church leadership can focus more on the ministries and spiritual mission of the church.
Qualifications for Church Trustees
When selecting trustees, churches should look for individuals who exemplify many of the qualities and qualifications the Bible lays out for church leaders (1 Timothy 3:1-13, Titus 1:5-9). Important attributes include:
- Faithfulness – Trustees must be dependable, reliable people who will follow through on their duties.
- Integrity – As handlers of facilities, finances, and legal matters, trustees must display complete honesty and high ethical standards.
- Good judgment – Trustees need discernment to make wise recommendations that are in the church’s best interest.
- Stewardship – Trustees should have a track record of responsibility with personal finances and resources.
- Availability – Trustees need adequate time to devote to their trustee duties amid other responsibilities.
- Collaborative spirit – Trustees must be able to work well with church staff, committees, ministry leaders, and the congregation.
- Competence – Some experience or expertise with management, facilities, finance, etc. can be helpful.
Churches may also look for trustees who hold formal memberships, have been part of the church for several years, exhibit spiritual maturity, and maintain positive relationships in the church.
Appointment and Tenure of Trustees
The process for appointing and installing trustees varies among different denominations and church structures. Trustees may be nominated by a pastor or committee and then approved by the congregation. Other churches may hold elections in which trustee candidates are nominated and voted on by members. Once appointed, trustees often serve multi-year terms before needing to be reappointed or reelected.
The number of trustees a church has can range anywhere from just a few to a dozen or more, depending on the church’s size and needs. Larger churches may divide trustee responsibilities among sub-groups like a building committee, finance team, etc. Churches aim to appoint enough trustees to handle the workload without the group becoming unwieldy.
While not necessarily required, churches often seek to maintain a balance of newly appointed trustees alongside those with experience. Combining fresh perspectives with institutional knowledge can be beneficial for making sound, history-informed decisions.
Working Relationship of Trustees
Trustees function best not as an isolated group, but in coordination with other church bodies like deacon boards, finance teams, pastor relations committees, personnel committees, etc. Open communication and clearly defined responsibilities and authority for each group helps foster collaboration in handling both routine and special matters. Trustees typically provide recommendations to the church council, staff, or congregation on major initiatives like large purchases or projects.
Within the trustee group, establishing organized procedures can be helpful. Regular meetings (often monthly) provide a forum to address ongoing items and special situations as they arise. Recording meeting minutes ensures continuity even as trustee terms transition. Rotating through officer positions like chair, vice-chair, and secretary cultivates leadership within the group.
While trustees oversee important practical and operational matters, they must keep in view the spiritual mission and gospel purposes of the church. Trustees support the overall ministry of the church through careful stewardship of temporal resources like facilities and finances. Working in humble service enables greater ministry impact.
Trustee Limitations and Challenges
While trustees fill an important role in church operations, there are some limitations and potential pitfalls churches should be aware of. Trustees generally do not dictate overall church vision and ministry direction. They should avoid overstepping their duties or infringing into spiritual guidance better left to pastors and other church leaders. Micromanaging day-to-day staff responsibilities can also undermine organizational effectiveness.
Trustees must remember they are stewards working on behalf of the entire congregation and ultimately God himself. Personal agendas and power plays have no place among trustees. Any conflicts of interest must be disclosed and handled appropriately.
Maintaining confidentiality is crucial with trustees’ access to financial data, giving records, and other sensitive information. Failing to keep confidences can quickly erode trust. And trust is essential both among the trustees as well as between trustees and congregants.
Key Principles for Church Trustees
While specifics vary, these biblical principles can help guide any group of church trustees to serve faithfully and effectively:
- Pray for wisdom and seek the Lord’s direction together (James 1:5).
- Act as wise stewards not owners, managing resources for God’s glory (1 Peter 4:10).
- Serve humbly from a motivation of love (1 Corinthians 13:3).
- Handle finances and facilities with utmost integrity (2 Corinthians 8:20-21).
- Cultivate unity and avoid dissension that could divide the church (1 Corinthians 1:10).
- Communicate openly while respecting confidentiality as warranted.
- Check personal agendas prayerfully before God (Philippians 2:3-4).
- Welcome accountability from others within the body (Proverbs 11:14).
When grounded in biblical truths, church trustees can provide a vital supporting role that enables pastors, staff, and other church leaders to maximize their focus and effectiveness in ministry.
Significance of Church Trustees
Serving as a church trustee represents a sacred call to utilize one’s gifts and experiences to strengthen the effectiveness of Christ’s church. While not flashy or public roles, trustees uphold crucial infrastructures like facilities, policies, and finances that undergird vital ministries.
Trustees follow the examples of godly leaders like Joseph and Nehemiah who served in practical though incredibly meaningful ways. As trustees devote their time and talents, they invest in an eternal kingdom. Faithful service equips churches to reach more people with the hope of the gospel.
Church trustees manage important but more behind-the-scenes responsibilities that allow pastors, staff, and other leaders to focus on frontline ministry duties. This principle of aligning people according to their strengths for maximum kingdom impact reflects the effective leadership of Exodus 18, Acts 6, and 2 Timothy 2.
Trustees nurture healthy church community life by promoting responsible policies and transparency around finances. This fosters an environment where deeper discipleship and ministry can flourish.
In carrying out their duties with grace and integrity, trustees become living models of what a faithful walk with Christ looks like in practice. Their example can inspire and mentor others in the congregation toward maturity in Christ.
