Stop Doing These 4 Things to Your Staff
Over the past year, we’ve worked with some incredible churches who are carrying the Gospel to their people and ministering to their staff with true love. But they’re still human. They still miss the mark on occasion. We also see churches that miss the mark more than just on occasion. Their organizations suffer, but, even more heartbreaking, their staff take the blows. More than a few people have left the ministry burned by a church that simply didn’t know how to care for them.
We could tell you all the stories and go into every detail about how to care for your staff and why it’s so important, but even blogs have a character limit. So consider this the very abbreviated guide to “what NOT to do” to keep your staff healthy, functioning and carrying out the mission God has laid on them to the fullest:
1. Stop burning them out.
Most churches don’t offer enough time off. This could really be applied to just about any organization or company in the country. Americans don’t value rest like the rest of the world, but churches can and should be leading the pack in the fight for work-life balance and keeping their employees recharged and mentally healthy. Make sure your church is offering plenty of vacation time, sick leave, and sabbatical opportunities (for all ministry employees–not just the pastor).
Plus, make sure your staff takes two full days a week off, preferably in a row. Also, remember to care physically for your staff by paying them fairly, and offering generous benefits and retirement matching so your staff doesn’t have to carry the mental load of how they’re going to pay their bills now or as they age.
2. Stop stunting them professionally.
Very few churches see professional development as a priority for their staff, but ministry, just like any other job, requires training and continuing education in order to keep your staff sharp and innovative. Give your staff members clear job descriptions and sit down for formal performance reviews at least twice a year so they know what is expected of them and how to achieve it.
Speak the truth in love about their performance and, while grace is good and necessary, don’t extend too much enabling complacency and laziness. Find the balance between being too quick to reprimand, stifling their creativity, and too slow to correct, allowing unhealthy habits to form.
3. Stop neglecting them spiritually.
Just because someone is actively working in ministry does not mean they are actively growing in their faith. Don’t assume your staff are in accountable relationships. Help them find and hold them accountable in maintaining a mentor. As a supervisor, make sure you are coaching, not just managing your team. Touch base at least once a month and make the relationship a priority over just a meeting. Remember that your staff is your number one ministry. Lead by example and carve out intentional time to pray and worship together as a staff.
4. Stop turning them against each other.
You must care for your staff individually as well as your staff as a whole. Even the healthiest and strongest leaders will not stay in an environment of dysfunction for very long. Create a team-player culture, not allowing staff members to silo themselves into segregated departments. Each ministry may have its own staff, schedule, and problems, but all of your ministries do affect each other and the health of the church as a whole. Get all the key players in the room when you make big decisions and be as transparent as possible–secrets don’t create a strong and trusting team.
When you add to your staff, hire for more than just competence. Measure a candidate's character before making them a part of your team. Teach and practice Matthew 18 conflict resolution. If team members become toxic, have hard conversations and, when necessary, endings. If not you sacrifice the health of your whole team.
Want to talk more about the health of your specific staff?
We know every organization and every individual has their own unique challenges and we’re here to help. Let’s chat about how we can help make your church HR simple so your staff can thrive.