Leadership Skill: Staffing
3 Overriding Principles That Should be a Part of Every Facet of Staffing
While much could be written about staffing, here are three principles that could apply to all we do within it. Make sure to proceed prayerfully, praying continually, without ceasing (1 Thess. 5:17). Permeate all facets of staffing with prayer.1) Line up with God's design.
God designed the church to be interdependent with every member having a part. -- "From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work." (Eph. 4:16)The specific part each individual has also fits within His design. -- "But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be." (1 Cor. 12:18)
Notice God's integral part in this process. He is the One who determines people's part. He is the One who ultimately provides the cohesion for body life as each person does their part.
- Leaders, are you helping people find their best fit in ministry based on their God-given ministry profile?
2) Don't lose the personal touch.
We have a personal and relational God. The incarnation of Jesus depicts a God who came to live among us and ultimately die for us so we can be in a personal relationship with Him. -- "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us." (Jn. 1:14)This is not a God who keeps His distance. God meets people where they are, being intimately acquainted with those He created (Ps. 139:13-18). Think of Moses' recruitment when God met Him in a burning bush, personally responding to the many excuses Moses had for not serving.
Even now God provides the counsel and help we need to do His work in the Person of the Holy Spirit who lives within us. His support isn't from a distant or aloof place but rather right where we are.
- Leaders, in a digital age, are you remembering the value of one-on-one, face-to-face communication?
3) Be supportive.
God has given us everything we need for life and godliness. He empowers us with spiritual gifts so we can serve effectively. His Spirit prays for us, even when we don't know what to say. He provides us with His written Word to guide our steps. He invites us to come to Him when we don't know what to do. -- "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." (James 1:5)Think of the example of Jesus who spent three years training His disciples, answering their questions, providing feedback after a ministry project, and giving them the tools to go on after He ascended.
- Leaders, do you view your role as a shepherd or discipler of ministry workers providing the training and resources they need to effectively serve along with on-going encouragement, affirmation, and feedback, praying for and with them?
Posts in the Practicum about Staffing:
When these elements infiltrate all you do as a leader in staffing, whether with paid or volunteer staff, the particulars tend to fall into place. The practicum runs staffing through such elements, the grid of the basics of our life in Christ, that affect what we should expect from church staff as well as how we should encourage them.- Church Staff Expectations
- Communicating Expectations to Church Staff
- Expect Alignment with Church Purpose
- Expect Adherence to Body Life Principles
- Expect Pursuit of God's Mission
- Expect Christ-like Character & Integrity
- Expect Reliance on God's Power
- Expect a Partnership Mentality
- Encourage Church Staff to Grow in Grace
- Encourage Church Staff to Pray Without Ceasing
- 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 Regularly Feast on God's Word
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