Issue #17: This Controversial Truth Is Something Every Pastor and Church Must Embrace
This week’s newsletter is controversial.
The subject? Parting ways with employees or volunteers who are not performing their jobs well. The unwillingness of many leaders to do this, particularly because they struggle with whether Christians should do such things, causes many churches and/or Christian organizations to suffer from a lack of excellence and productivity.
In the name of being “Christian,” many churches and ministries fail to achieve what they exist to do and cause their mission to suffer.
Letting People Go
Anytime you put someone in the wrong position, it costs you and your organization.
Why? Because they are not going to be able to execute the tasks and responsibilities at the level required for success. The goal of success in achieving our mission is why our organizations exist. Churches want to reach people and make disciples. There are many parts and pieces to that, but we care about achieving those things.
When we have people in positions that they are not gifted or competent to execute in, it will frustrate them and the organization. It’s not loving to keep them there. It is unloving to them and others.
This means one of the most important tasks you do as a leader is choosing leaders.
*1 Actionable Tip*
Hire slowly and fire quickly.
People Don’t Change
The adage to hire slowly goes for volunteer roles too. Don’t be hasty to stick people into positions of leadership without knowing if they can do it.
Why? Because if they can’t, removing them will be painful. You lose leadership credibility. The person may struggle to remain at your church or organization because they are embarrassed and feel like they failed. If you don’t remove them, then everyone else suffers. The people they lead suffer and your church’s mission suffers.
Anytime you put someone in the wrong position, you should either fire them or move them laterally into a better-fitting position.
Fire quickly. Remove people the moment you realize they are not a fit. All your efforts to help them and time spent waiting will only yield the same outcome: removing them. It only gets harder the longer you wait.
Something that took me years to learn but has proven true repeatedly: People don’t change. They don’t get better with time.
Can people grow spiritually and transform in their character? Absolutely! That’s the power of the gospel at work. But people cannot change who they are in their temperament, gifting, and skills. They may improve with lots of help or extreme oversight, but they are not going to dramatically change.
They either get things done, or they don’t. They either know how to solve problems, or they don’t. People are who they are.
One of the most important tasks you do as a leader is choosing leaders. When we have people in positions that they are not gifted or competent to execute in, it will frustrate them and the organization. It’s not loving to keep them there.
Take a Next Step to Keeping Growing
Whenever you want to take a next step of growing in your leadership, there are lots of ways you can do that.
1. Individual Coaching. For those who want to get a more tailored coaching experience, this option helps you grow in church leadership skills and solving your church-specific challenges. Sign-up soon, limited spots.
2. Church Consulting. If your church needs revitalization and desires assistance in developing a vision and strategy for going forward, this option can be great for you. We not only help diagnosis issues but work with you to create a plan and coach you on execution.
3. Student Ministry Leader Lab. Join us in Nashville August 3-4th for coaching and practical help for leading an effective student ministry. Register here.