We can put biblical expectations on church staff like their need to align with the church purpose, adhere to body life principles, pursue God’s mission, exhibit Christ-like character and integrity, and maintain a partnership mentality. However, for them to do that, we also need to expect them to rely on God’s power. Hence, we need to encourage church staff to walk by the Spirit.
Why Church Staff Need to be Encouraged to Walk by the Spirit
Take a look at Galatians 5 where it talks about walking in the Spirit and it will become clear why we need to encourage staff in this way. Galatians 5:13 exhorts us to “serve one another humbly in love”. However, our human nature tends to be self-centered and self-promoting. Consequently, instead of building up one another, we sometimes hurt each other instead and bring ruin to effective ministry (Gal. 5:14).
We need help to rise above our human tendencies. — “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” (Gal. 5:15) — When we do, we will exhibit the fruit of the Spirit which is “love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Gal. 5:22-23). What a difference it makes when church staff relates with one another and those they serve in these ways!
How to Encourage Walking in the Spirit
As church leaders, we can encourage staff members to walk in the Spirit by doing the following:
Remind them of the Spirit who lives within them to come alongside of them as their Helper. Sometimes we can get so caught up on all we have to do in ministry that we neglect our own walk. Then the Spirit’s work in and through our lives becomes quenched (1 Thess. 5:19).
Pray for, and with, them regularly. When the Apostle Paul learned of the Colossian’s faith, fruitfulness, and “love in the Spirit” (Col. 1:3-8), he didn’t assume they’d continue that way. Rather, he said, “For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience …” (Col. 1:9-11)
Set an example by nurturing your own walk, constantly looking to the Spirit for power to “serve one another humbly in love” (Gal. 5:13).
For More on These Topics, Go To:
All Posts about Staffing:
- Church Staff Expectations
- Communicating Expectations to Church Staff
- Church Staff: Expect Alignment with Church Purpose
- Church Staff: Expect Adherence to Body Life Principles
- Church Staff: Expect Pursuit of God’s Mission
- Church Staff: Expect Christ-like Character & Integrity
- Church Staff: Expect Reliance on God’s Power
- Church Staff: Expect a Partnership Mentality
- Encourage Church Staff to Grow in Grace
- Encourage Church Staff to Walk by the Spirit
- Encourage Church Staff to Use Their Spiritual Gifts
- Spiritual Gifts Best Suited for Staffing Ministry
- Encourage Church Staff to Pray Without Ceasing
- Encourage Church Staff to Regularly Feast on God’s Word
- Lead Staff by Shepherding
- Encourage Church Staff to Be Strong in the Lord
- Encourage Staff to Do Everything in His Name