Chairman "rights" for contentious motions/discussion

[Jethro21]

Howdy, I signed up for this forum specifically to ask this question, this after trying to find some direction online but with limited success. I do not have a hard copy of Robert's Rules and will have one on the way. I'll try to give some quick background for my question.

I was just elected as Pastor of my church, after being assistant for nearly 12 years. We are having our first business meeting of this year (all members are permitted to participate). I have stepped in as Chairperson several times over the years and feel comfortable in that role, but we are usually pretty mellow and simple in our business. But, with Covid circumstances, we have a nearly even split in our membership over the direction of our local (and the inevitable tension that has caused)- those who are attending services in person and those who are utilizing live stream and want the local to be closed or curtailed. Our meeting will be this Wednesday and an additional challenge will be a mixed in-person and Zoom business meeting. Logistical issues aside, I have some concerns.

My question is- What I am permitted to do if, for example, a motion is made to close the church, remove seating etc. While I know that this is the right of the body to bring up and to vote on, I am very aware of the contention and anger this will cause. Should such a motion come up, am I able to send it to a committee for recommendation or something similar? Ideally I'd like to get both sides to come together on a solution rather than a simple majority shoving something through. 

One issue with our allowing an online option for this meeting is that there are members who in normal times wouldn't attend a business meeting and tend to be more contentious, who have now signaled they intend to participate online. I just want to find a way to keep peace and to avoid a knee jerk motion by either "side", which will only divide us more. 

 

I appreciate any help or direction those here could offer me.

 

Thanks,
Jethro21

[Josh Martin]

1 hour ago, Jethro21 said:

Should such a motion come up, am I able to send it to a committee for recommendation or something similar?

No. The assembly itself may decide to refer the motion to a committee (by majority vote), but you do not have the authority to make that decision on your own.

[J. J.]

Unless your church's bylaws, or applicable statute, permit electronic meetings you cannot have them.

[Richard Brown]

Although, as Mr. Martin stated, you do not have the power to arbitrarily refer the matter to a committee, you are free to discuss the situation beforehand with members you feel comfortable with and suggest to them that one of them might consider making a motion to refer the matter to a committee and to be prepared to suggest what the committee make up will be, how it will be selected, etc.   A motion to refer to a committee with absolutely no specifics on the committee itself can lead to considerable more squabbling.There are several methods available for selecting the committee members as you will see when your copy of RONR arrives.