Today I had the incredible privilege of conducting leadership training for the wonderful staff of my home church, Fellowship Bible Church in Roswell, GA. As part of that time together, I developed a section entitled “5 Practices Of Effective Church Staffs I Learned From My Father’s Funeral”.
For those new to this site, my father passed away this past February. You can read about my experience dealing with that loss by clicking here and here. The staff of Fellowship Bible Church was a wonderful source of comfort and encouragement during that time. These principles flowed from their actions.
- Effective Church Staffs Are Proactive – There is a sense of urgency to highly effective staffs. Upon learning that my father had died, I began walking from my office to my car when I received a call from our Communications Director Richard Hopkins. Then one staff member after another began phoning in – literally five calls in a row. Our church staff immediately engaged the issue I was dealing with.
- Effective Church Staffs Work Better As A Team Rather Than As Individuals – In addition to the five calls mentioned above, I also received numerous texts from other members of the staff. What I learned during this process was that I did not need a single individual to walk with me for several days. Instead, several people teamed up to be there at strategic times. They served me more effectively working together as a team.
- Effective Church Staffs Are Present – Two associate pastors who are dear friends of mine, Kevin Cross and Matt Farlow, attended my dad’s funeral. They were there. They were present. They are also lifelong friends who if they ever need anything, I will be there.
- Effective Church Staffs Follow Up Timely And Effectively – Four days after the funeral, I received a wonderful gift in the mail. I opened a sympathy card that was signed with well wishes by our entire staff. They followed up. They did not stop with the initial phone calls and texts. They stayed with me through the entire journey.
- Effective Church Staffs Are Worth Being A Part Of – Nowhere in the Bible is a person called to an easy task by God. Ministry is hard. Sometimes you may wonder if it is all worth it. You know in your heart it is but still you ask, “God, are my sacrifices and efforts ever going to be appreciated before I get to heaven?”
I have been serving Christian leaders since I was 14 years of age. I have often wondered if it was worth it. The day of my dad’s funeral, leaders from four churches where I have previously served were in attendance. It was as if God said, “Brian, you have given your entire adult life to serving others. Now, in one of your darkest hours, they are here to serve you. It was all worth it.”
There are probably hundreds of church staff leaders who need to hear that today. What you are doing is worth it. What you are doing matters. Because of God working through you, lives are better. Marriages are healthier. Children have a chance for productive lives. People have purpose and meaning. They have a hope and a future.
Thank you for being a member of a effective church staff.
What other practices do you see present in effective church staffs?
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