About
John G. Cressman
Strong leadership is vital for any organization to flourish, but in churches and nonprofits, one critical role is often overlooked: the board chair. In his book, Pull Up a Chair, author and denominational leader John G. Cressman shines a light on this pivotal position and provides practical guidance for those tasked with leading church boards.
John Cressman’s journey to writing Pull Up a Chair is rooted in decades of ministry experience. Beginning his career as a graphic artist, he later followed a call into pastoral ministry. Over the course of 35 years, he pastored congregations, mentored leaders, and eventually became the president of the Evangelical Missionary Church of Canada.
In this national role, John leads a team that supports over 100 churches across the country and serves as a representative voice in Canada’s multicultural, pluralistic society. His experiences revealed a recurring problem: church boards often rely on willing but unprepared individuals to serve as chairs. This leadership gap inspired him to write a handbook to equip, encourage, and resource board chairs with the tools they need to succeed.
In many churches, the pastor is seen as the central leader. Yet John argues that the chair of the church board is equally vital. This person facilitates meetings, provides governance oversight, and helps steward the church’s mission. Unfortunately, too many chairs accept the role without training or resources, leaving them feeling overwhelmed and ill-equipped.
John’s book directly addresses this issue, positioning the board chair not as a ceremonial role but as a strategic partner in church health and growth. He emphasizes that when a board chair is empowered, the entire church benefits.
One of the book’s central themes is the importance of the relationship between the board chair and the pastor. John notes that this relationship can make—or break—a church’s effectiveness. Too often, pastors and board chairs operate separately, or worse, in opposition to one another.
Instead, John advocates for intentional collaboration:
When the pastor and chair are aligned, their partnership strengthens the entire church. John has seen firsthand how this alliance can transform adversarial dynamics into flourishing communities.
Although Pull Up a Chair is rooted in church leadership, its lessons extend to nonprofits, charities, and even businesses. Any organization with a board can benefit from his insights. The core principle—the health of the organization is directly proportional to the strength of the relationship between the executive leader and the board chair—applies universally.
Whether you are leading a church, nonprofit, or community initiative, John’s guidance on building trust, fostering collaboration, and clarifying roles provides a roadmap for healthier governance.
For John, writing this book represents both a culmination of years of leadership and a legacy project. He has worked with more than 70 board chairs, observing patterns of success and struggle. Pull Up a Chair gathers those lessons into a single, practical resource designed to help future leaders avoid common pitfalls.
But he doesn’t see this as the end of his writing journey. Inspired by the process, John is already considering future projects, including a book on mentoring. He envisions capturing the wisdom of his own mentor in a format similar to Letters to a Young Pastor, offering encouragement to new church leaders navigating the complexities of ministry.
John credits the “Write My Book” course with giving him the structure and accountability to complete Pull Up a Chair. Despite having years of research and content, he needed deadlines, coaching, and encouragement to shape it into a publishable book. The process reminded him that writing is not only about content but also about discipline and perseverance.
Like many first-time authors, John admits the journey was both daunting and rewarding. But now that his book is globally available, he’s grateful for the chance to equip leaders who desperately need guidance.
Churches and nonprofits are navigating complex cultural, economic, and social challenges. Leadership at the governance level has never been more critical. By equipping board chairs with practical wisdom, Pull Up a Chair ensures that willing volunteers can become confident leaders who strengthen both their pastors and their congregations.
For pastors, board members, and aspiring leaders, the book is more than a manual—it’s a reminder that leadership is relational, not just structural. Trust, collaboration, and intentional investment in the board chair role can unlock growth and impact far beyond the boardroom.
John G. Cressman’s Pull Up a Chair is a timely and essential guide for churches and organizations seeking stronger governance and healthier leadership. By focusing on the often-overlooked role of the board chair, John provides a roadmap for collaboration, trust, and long-term impact. His legacy is clear: stronger leaders, stronger churches, and stronger communities.
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