Church leaders take on various biblical leadership roles — an example, guide, servant, shepherd, and steward. At times people may need us to exercise one role more than the others. Certain tasks or responsibilities may pull on one role more than others. We don’t, however, lay aside all the other roles. Everything we do as leaders benefits in some way by each of our leadership roles. This post looks at how a church leader’s roles tie into and impact staff evaluations.
Church Leadership Roles and Staff Evaluations
Staff evaluations can have multiple purposes such as keeping people accountable, providing feedback, spurring people on, negotiating change, setting ministry goals, and preventing or resolving problems. Each of our biblical roles affects how we go about accomplishing these purposes.
As an example, our own lives need to measure up. We recognize the loss of impact when we say one thing and do another.
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? … (Matt. 7:1-5)
As a guide, we come alongside with suggestions and ideas rather than try to micromanage how they do ministry. Most importantly, we steer them toward God as the Source of all they need for effective ministry.
Now may the God of peace … equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (Heb. 13:20-21)
As a servant, we demonstrate humility, in this together, out for their good. Being the leader, the one doing the evaluation, doesn’t make us superior.
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself … (Phil. 2:5-8)
As a shepherd, we truly care about people’s spiritual welfare. We therefore aim for nurturing people during evaluations, careful not to tear them down.
… do you love me? … Feed my sheep. (Jn. 21:15-17)
As a steward, we realize that we can’t neglect dealing with something just because it’s uncomfortable. We sometimes must bring up hard things in staff evaluations as those accountable for that with which God has entrusted us.
… warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. (1 Thess. 5:14)
All Posts about Staff Evaluations:
- Staff Evaluations: Yikes?
- Staff Evaluations: All Inclusive?
- Staff Evaluations: The Great Commission Way?
- Staff Evaluations: Done with Integrity?
- Staff Evaluations: Being Truthful?
- Staff Evaluations: A Balanced Approach?
- Staff Evaluations: The Right Focus?
- Staff Evaluations: Change is Possible
- Staff Evaluations: Goals Based on God’s Power
- Staff Evaluations: Tied in to the Gospel?
- Grace Sufficient for Staff Evaluations
- Staff Evaluations: Assessing Ministry Fit?
- Best Person to Do Staff Evaluations?
- A Leader’s Spiritual Gifts Can Affect Staff Evaluations
- Options for Leaders Not Gifted for Doing Staff Evaluations
- Reactions & Responses in Staff Evaluations
- Spirit-Led Responses During Staff Evaluations
- Spiritual Truths for Staff Evaluations
- Spiritual Armor for Staff Evaluations
- Prayer Needed When Doing Staff Evaluations
- Staff Evaluations Assessing Effect on the Lord’s Name
- Bringing Hope into Staff Evaluations
- Staff Evaluations to Help People Do Ministry God’s Way
- Impact of Church Leadership Roles on Staff Evaluations