To act or not to act, that is the question

I like to think of myself as a fairly easy-going guy. The reality is I can get worked up, especially when established processes or procedures aren't followed, or at least generally adhered to. I'm not THAT anal! :)

Anyway, today we held our quarterly business meeting. The senior pastor and the other two elders were absent. Four deacons were present (one moderated).

The time came for my report, and I got through it without deviating too much from my notes (which proves I'm not anal), and we got to the Q&A time. My report was in three sections: what we've done, what we're working on, and what we plan to start working on. During the second and third section I mentioned we're developing a worship ministry to create opportunities for more people to serve. Part of this plan is to create a Programming Team to come around the senior pastor, who currently plans the services all by himself, to complement him in this planning process.

Such a team will allow us to include more elements in services: more "hooks,' if you will for people to engage in worship of God.

One individual, who has said in more than one conversation that he doesn't want to see any changes: he likes the services the way they are--made it very clear through body language that he didn't like what he was hearing.

Aside from the whole "Worship isn't about you. It's not for you anyway" argument, there rteally was nothing I could say that would ease his concern. I admit I don't want to do that, because he has a very wrong idea about worship.

Anyway, he decided to invole parlimentary procedure and "called the question." Now, although we follow Robert's Rules of Order, we view them more as "guidelines." But this individual pointedly added his motion was "not debatable." Given we actually ask for a motion to convene a meeting (not required), this specific stickler seemed an obvious ploy to cut me off.

To be fair, I did tend to get long-winded in my responses to questions. But as a pastor, I wanted to be forthright and share what was on my heart (I feel very passionate about worship), and thought that short, cryptic answers would appear evasive or conniving. Especially since the senior pastor was away.

This individual, I'm sure, would never have pulled this stunt with the senior pastor. But I find myself debating whether to confront him about his rudeness and disrespect (and whether that will be perceived as a power play), or to let it slide (and rick credibility as a leader of the church).

I'm consulting the church leaders who were present, as well as colleagues. But it's a weird place to be. The pastor's wife said there will always be this kind of people. I don't disagree. But I do wonder what is the best way to deal with such people!