When staff become stuck in church revitalization
Staffing issues in church revitalization can be frustrating. There are seasons when your staff can become stuck and set in their ways and thinking. This can result in barriers that stop the church from moving forward. Typically, when a new staff member joins a church staff team, there is a sense of excitement. They are fresh with lots of new ideas, but over time that excitement can begin to wane.
As a revitalization pastor, one of your jobs is to keep your team engaged in the growth and health of the church. You must continually encourage them to progress forward in their personal and professional growth. When your staff is thriving and growing, chances are your church will thrive and grow too.
When you start to see a staff member begin to fade or become stuck, it’s time to help them get re-engaged. Here are some things you can do in the revitalization process that can help them re-engage.
Give a focus and a purpose to the year
As a leader, it is your job to focus your team on the direction of the church, not just the day-to-day tasks. Your team should have a plan for the day, goals for the week, a view of the month, a snapshot of three months, and a vision for the year. At the end of each milestone, there needs to be time for rest, recovery, and celebration. This helps your staff feel appreciated and gives them time to fully engage in the next milestone. Make sure you have a place where your team can see the year's flows and focuses. This place can be a room, calendar, or designated webpage that only staff can see. Keeping them focused on the direction you are heading can help keep them from getting stuck.
Give recognition for achievement
People need to know that they are appreciated and that their work matters. Your staff should be rewarded for their achievements and hard work. In church revitalization, it can feel like a continual push forward. If you do not take time to recognize and celebrate what has been accomplished, the heart and mood of your staff will diminish. Schedule time in your calendar to pause, visit with each staff member, honor their hard work, and do something to make them feel appreciated. Often it doesn’t take much encouragement to lift someone’s mood and spirit. A hand-written note, gift card, a public “thank you”, or a special lunch can go a long way to refresh and restore your staff.
Give time off to grow and dream
Make sure your staff is taking the time to rest and pursue their passions. Church revitalization is not always about working hard. It is also about resting well. There are seasons when your staff will have to work very hard and push forward strong. Then there must be seasons when they can rest and relax. Make sure your team is taking their Sabbath and encourage them to take time with their family. Also encourage them to grow and dream both personally and professionally. Challenge them to set goals for themselves, their work, and their family and then do what you can to help them achieve them.
Give time to network and build
Your staff must network with other churches and organizations. Collaboration with other leaders and participating in learning communities are what will make them thrive. Make sure you provide opportunities for them to attend conferences, webinars, and lunches in their specific area of focus. Give them freedom and authority to find new pathways to make your church better for the future. Strive to make your church a place to learn and grow. Nobody grows sitting at a desk or in a cubical all day. People grow when they are stretched in their thinking, and conversations and dialogue with other leaders can help facilitate this. Then provide opportunities for them to share with the team what they have learned. This will build excitement with everyone.
Your church will grow based on the level of growth of you and your staff. If you want your church to be revitalized, you must make sure that you and your staff stay revitalized. Do whatever it takes to help keep your staff from becoming stuck in their role.
Gary Moritz serves as the church revitalization director at the Baptist Churches of New England.
