Beyond Robert’s Rules: Choosing the Right Decision-Making Process for Your Church

Leader – Keith Clark-Hoyos
Many church leaders know Robert’s Rules of Order, but fewer realize that it is only one of several approaches churches use to make faithful, effective decisions. Across Christian traditions, congregations and governing bodies have adopted a variety of models—including consensus, discernment-based processes, simplified parliamentary procedures, and hybrid approaches that blend multiple methods. 

This webinar will explore the strengths, limitations, and appropriate uses of four major decision-making models used in churches today: parliamentary procedure, consensus, discernment, and hybrid systems. Participants will learn how different traditions approach decision-making, what governance safeguards every church should maintain regardless of method, and how to match a decision-making process to the type of issue being considered. 

Whether your church is struggling with contentious meetings, seeking more meaningful participation, or looking for a process that better reflects its values and culture, this session will provide practical guidance and resources for moving forward. 

Participants will learn: 

• The differences between parliamentary, consensus, discernment, and hybrid decision-making models. 

• How various Christian traditions approach governance and decision-making. 

• The governance safeguards every church should maintain, regardless of process. 

• When different decision-making models are most effective. 

• How to evaluate whether your current approach serves your church’s mission and culture. 

• Resources for further study and implementation. 

This webinar is designed for pastors, board and council members, elders, deacons, trustees, finance leaders, judicatory staff, and anyone responsible for guiding faithful and effective church decisions.
Keith Clark-Hoyos is the Founder and Partner of Church Training Center, where he serves as a consultant, coach, and spiritual guide—supporting church leaders as they align with God’s calling, lead with clarity, and steward resources with integrity. Church Training Center provides practical, Spirit-led support for congregations and judicatories through coaching, consulting, training, and church-specific accounting services that bring steadiness to governance, finance, and leadership development. Keith holds a Master of Arts in Ministry, Leadership & Service from Claremont School of Theology and is the author of eight titles on discernment, church governance, and church finance.