Advice to the New PCC
From the "Rule of St Benedict"
(The "Rule of St Benedict" was written about 1450 years ago in the 6th century AD. Benedict gave directions on how Benedictine monasteries should be run and these apply today. Benedict's rules for how meetings of the brethren should be conducted are not exactly applicable to modern PCCs but nevertheless contain much that is worth noting.)
Of Calling the Brethren to Council
As often as any important business has to be done in the monastery, let the abbot call together the whole community and himself set forth the matter. And, having heard the advice of the brethren, let him take counsel with himself and then do what he shall judge to be most expedient.
Now the reason why we have said that all should be called to council, is that God often reveals what is better to the younger.
Let the brethren give their advice with all deference and humility, and let them not venture to defend their opinions obstinately; but let the decision depend rather on the abbot's judgement, so that when he has decided what is the better course, all may obey.
However, just as it is proper for disciples to obey their master, so is it becoming that he on his part should dispose all things with prudence and justice.
In all things, therefore, let all follow the Rule as master, nor let anyone rashly depart from it. Let no one in the monastery follow the will of his own heart; nor let anyone presume to contend with the abbot in an insolent fashion or outside the monastery. Should he presume to do so, let him undergo the discipline of the rule.
The abbot himself, however, should do all things in the fear of God and observance of the Rule, knowing that he will certainly have to render an account of all his judgements to God, the most just Judge.
But if the business to be done in the interests of the monastery be of lesser importance, let him use the advice of the seniors only.
It is written: "Do all things with counsel, and thou shalt not afterwards repent it." (Ecclesiastes 32:24)