Seven Things Staff Members Wished Their Senior Pastors Knew–Part Four October 31, 2008

#6 - Let Me Take Things Off Of Your Plate

Pastors, let me make you a promise–there are things that you are doing RIGHT NOW that some of your staff members are begging God that you would stop doing them because…well…your not that good at them!

BUT…the reason you don’t want to release them is because you fear that your burden might be someone else’s burden, not understanding that the thing that may weigh you down actually energizes someone else.

One of the most informative and freeing meetings I’ve ever led was the day when I walked into our SMT meeting and asked this question, “Guys, what is the ONE THING that I am doing that you sit around and say, ‘I wish Perry would stop trying to do that and just let me have it?’”

That meeting seriously set me free on some things!

#7 - Ask My Opinion

I said this earlier in the series…but when we limit our church to our wisdom and insight…they’re screwed!

God placed me as the pastor over this staff for two reasons…to lead them AND to listen to them.

AND…the only reason a senior pastor would not value the opinion of the people he serves with is because he is insecure (and an idiot!)

I am so blessed that God has placed so many incredibly gifted and passionate people around me…people who are much smarter than me…and there have been times when I have been stressing over how to solve a problem and someone else will come up with the answer as if it were nothing to them!

Pastors–we’ve GOT to ask those who serve with us what they think…about everything.  They see things we don’t see.  They have a perspective that we don’t have.  And God has placed them around us to serve with us…but also to prevent us from making bad leadership decisions.

BUT we don’t know that unless we actually take the time to ask them what they think.

One of my favorite questions to ask around here when people bring me a problem is, “What do you think about that?”

What I have found is that the best and brightest leaders ALREADY have thought through the solution.  ASK their opinion…you might be surprised with who God has placed with you!

Seven Things Staff Members Wished Their Senior Pastors Knew–Part Three October 30, 2008

#5 - Understand That I Have A Life

We have a different philosophy here at NewSpring Church when it comes to staff and work hours.

For years we would do the work ALL DAY on Sunday thing, followed by a busy Monday through Friday…then we would take Saturday off and walk around like zobies (calling that a family day)…then we were back to Sunday!

Soon afterward we did the deal where we would give someone a day off during the week; however, with the way our church operates being staff led there always seemed to be some sort of emergency where staff members had to be called in on their day off.

SO…we decided to completely shut down the offices of NewSpring Church on Friday.  We all work Sunday through Thursday and then on Friday…everyone is off!!!

IT’S AWESOME!  Our staff has a weekend and walk into Sunday rested and ready to go!

I know, I know, “But what if there is an emergency on Friday and someone needs to get in touch with someone?”

Great question…our care area has a system in place should that ever happen.  However, my question is, “What if there is an emergency at 3 am on Monday?  Are people going to be able to expect to call the office then and find a staff member as well.”

One of the biggest problems in churches today is the fact that many staff members are COMPLETELY FRIED because of a schedule that is demanding and demoralizing.

As a pastor–one of the things I MUST champion is the protection of the people that I serve with.  I MUST understand that they need time to relax.  I MUST understand that they need time with their families.  I MUST understand that the more rested and refreshed they are the better they will do their jobs!

Now there are times when a certain department or team will have to come in on Friday to get some things done…but that is the exception, NOT the rule.

Pastors, what are you doing to make sure the staff you serve with are not FRIED?  YOU MUST take the lead on this one!

Seven Things Staff Members Wished Their Senior Pastors Knew–Part Two October 29, 2008

#3 - “Thank You” Goes A Long Way

Pastor, when was the last time you said “thanks” to a staff member?

This is an area where I am continually seeking improvement.  There are times when I get so wrapped up in the work that I forget to tell others how much I appreciate them and the job they are doing.

One day I was about to leave the office and a staff member walked by me…the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart and told me to tell him “thanks” for all that he did.

So…I called him over to my car and told him how much I appreciated him and the work that he was doing in our church.

The next day he sent me an email telling me that he had worked in the business world for years…and no one had ever said “thanks” for anything…and that my encouragement meant a ton to him.

Pastors, we need to be in the business of saying “thanks!”  Trust me…it goes a long way for someone on staff to feel affirmed and appreciated.
#4 - Give Me Permission To Fail

One of the biggest fears that any human being has is failure…so, rather than taking a risk they simply choose to play it safe and not make any bold moves for the cause of Christ.

Here’s the deal…staff members WANT to take leaps of faith.  They want to honor God.  They want to try new things.  BUT…most of them don’t want to do it at the risk of losing their jobs.

So…give them permission to fail.  As long as they mess something up in an all out effort…and as long as no one gets hurt…no problem, right?

NOW…when a staff member continually makes the same mistake over and over…it’s not an issue of passion but rather an issue of competence.

BUT…if we as pastors are going to lead churches that are taking HUGE steps…then we MUST understand that WE are NOT the only ones who are going to have BIG IDEAS!  If we limit our church to our ideas and innovation–they’re screwed!

BUT…if we release our staff and give them permission to go all out and give it their best effort…and even if they fail…we still win because it will mean we are one step closer to something successful!

Seven Things Staff Members Wished Their Senior Pastors Knew–Part One October 28, 2008

I did a series of posts last week on what the Senior Pastor wished the staff knew…now time to look at the other side of the coin.

#1 - Tell Me What You Expect Of Me

One of the things that a senior pastor must understand is that MOST staff members actually want to do an awesome job.

However, most of their frustration comes as a result of the pastor having unspoken expectations (or unrealistic ones.)

One of the best things a pastor can do is actually define success for the staff he serves with.  Pastors, we’ve got to understand that our staff does not think like us, nor do they process information like we do…and if we want them to thrive (which will allow our church to thrive) then we’ve got to speak straight with them.

I cannot hold a staff member accountable for things he did or did not do that I provided no clear instruction for.  And if we are not clear in our instruction…the best they can do is guess…which is incredibly frustrating for them.

#2 - Give Me Time

One of the biggest mistakes I’ve made as a pastor is getting fired up about something, getting key staff members together & sharing the vision with them…developing a strategy, assigning tasks and thinking big.

Some of you are wondering what the problem is with that.  Well, nothing…here’s where the problem begins…

The staff leave the room pretty fired up and begin to work on their aspects of making the vison become a reality.  Meanwhile…I get another idea…and I am FIRED UP about it.  So, a few days later I call another meeting where I share the vision, develop a strategy and assign some tasks…

BUT…this time I notice there isn’t as much excitement in the room.  In fact, there is sort of a sense of dread…and I get angry because ‘these people” aren’t fired up like I am…

I did this several times as a leader and then I finally understood…I’ve GOT to give the staff time to actually do the work.  I can’t just get them in a room, snap my fingers and then BAM…it happens.  If we want to do ministry with excellence…then it takes time.

This is one of the reasons I work so far ahead in message preparation.  I want the video department, graphics area and our team of musical artists to have TIME to pray and prepare in regards to what is coming next.  The more time I give them…the better they do…the more excited they become…and the whole team wins.

Pastors…the more we can prepare in advance the more we set our teams up for success…and the more the whole church will benefit from it as well.

YES, it does take a lot of work…but it’s worth it if the staff can continue to perform with excellence and stay fired up!