Hiring A New Staff Member

November 19, 2011

Companies are notorious for hiring based on skill and firing based on fit. The Church is no exception. Leadership is one of the most important aspects in the life of a church plant. Make one mistake and it can cost you momentum, money and credibility. Find the right leader and your ministry can take off in ways you never imagined. When it comes to the issue of leadership in a new church, few things compare to its potential. Every veteran Pastor can tell horror stories about leaders-gone-wild. So, if you are feeling the pressure of finding the right person to help you with your new church, or if you are in the midst of one of those personal horror stories right now, take heart, you are in good company.

Conflict will occur in your church! It is simply unavoidable. That is if you are attempting to do great things for God. No matter how good or careful you may be, you will have conflict arise within your leadership. And when it happens, the first thing ‘wrong’ leaders do is leave the church to go elsewhere. How does a church planter respond?  Part of you wants to celebrate and another part of you wants to meet him/her in a dark alley.  

There is a difficult balance of reaching out to the lost and paying bills coupled with the negative ‘hit’ that occurs when faithful leaders, servants and tithers leave the church, you cannot understand.  No matter the reason, most pastors cannot help but have some question as to the impact of anyone’s departure from their church. But don’t forget that this is God’s work. Embrace the change and move with it. Whatever you do, don’t compromise or spend valuable time chasing leaders like this. You have enough on your plate. Keep this mantra in mind, “Move with the movers and love the rest.”

If you don't stay flexible and move with the movers, the movers will get moving and you will be left with a church of whiners who are focused more on themselves and their own needs than they are the mission of the church.

Here are four simple things to keep in mind:

1. The old adage remains true when dealing with leadership in the church. "Hire slowly, fire quickly!" That even counts for your volunteers. Can you fire a volunteer? Why not? Creating a strong leadership base is the pastor's responsibility. Don't take it lightly.
2. Hiring from within is always the best policy.
3. Hire a person, not a position. If the position is changed, a good hire will "go with the flow". However, if you hire a position, your new hire will tend to be less flexible.
4. Don't hire out of desperation. If someone doesn't show up, WAIT on God to bring you the right one. Remember, God is more interested in healthy church leadership than you are. So.... be patient.

Posted 11/19/2011 in Stephen Gray | 0 Comments - Add Comment