Ministry Booster: Selecting & Preparing Board Candidates

Topic Description

Faith-based boards hold both mission accountability and legal responsibility. This session explores how to discern the right people for board service and how to prepare new directors for faithful, effective governance—integrating mission clarity, self-awareness, and authentic alignment. Designed for church and faith-based not for profit boards, this interactive workshop bridges spiritual calling and practical stewardship.

Joel Plotnek is a Leadership Coach and the founder of Mission Driven Leadership, partnering with CEOs, boards, and executive teams to lead with purpose and deliver mission-aligned performance.

Joel brings more than 20 years’ experience as a CEO and board director across faith-based, for-purpose, and social enterprise organisations. His background includes serving on the Churches of Christ Vic-Tas state executive team, leading Prop Corp as CEO, co-founding CCFS and Faith Insurance, and serving as a director on the University of Divinity Council.

He currently chairs the board of Street Peace, a mission-driven social enterprise creating opportunities for disengaged youth.

In addition to his executive and board experience, Joel serves organisations as a board advisor, Board Chair supervisor, board director, and CEO coach, with a particular focus on purpose clarity, leadership identity, and cultural alignment.

Joel is a member of the International Coaching Federation (ICF), the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD), an accredited iEQ9 Enneagram practitioner, and a CPA.