The Talent Trap
Talented people make your church better.

Better at:

• Administration
• Worship music
• Teaching
• Systems and processes
• Fundraising
• Events

There are any number of things great people can improve in your church or ministry. When we are hiring positions or filling leadership roles, this is often what we’re looking for. We want difference-makers. We want people of high-caliber talent.

But as today’s newsletter will explain, talent cannot be the first thing you are looking for.

Highly Skilled Trouble

There have been a few times in my 17 years of pastoring The Journey Church that we’ve had very talented people in positions of staff or leadership who were also major problems.

They weren’t problems because of a lack of talent. They were problems because they didn’t fit our team culture and convictions. A super-talented person who holds crucial theological differences can be the difference between unified momentum and division.

We had a person on staff once who didn’t line up on some important theological points. It hadn’t been overlooked when bringing them on, but I believe the person shifted their thinking over time. This created increasing moments of tension and strife.

You could see it on their face when they weren’t happy. It sucked all the life out of a room when they were in it. People walked on eggshells around them, and it created an unhealthy culture.

When we finally parted ways with the individual, the dark cloud instantly lifted from the team. It was a crazy contrast. This individual was unbelievably gifted and competent. But those competencies didn't come close to outweighing the problems created by a lack of chemistry and theological alignment.

We have seen this a play out a few times now. So, I’m convinced, now more than ever, that a lack of alignment with team chemistry and convictions will kill your ministry, despite how skilled and talented someone is.

1 Actionable Tip

Prioritize chemistry before competency when making hires or adding leaders.

I would rather have someone who is a Level 7 talent that jives with the team and aligns with our convictions than a Level 9 talent who doesn’t. Level 9 talents become Level 10 problems when they don’t align with our beliefs and values.

Don’t let talent enamor you. Make sure they fit first, then evaluate their skills.

Prioritize chemistry before competency when making hires or adding leaders.
Don’t let talent enamor you. Make sure they fit first, then evaluate their skills.
Level 9 talents become Level 10 problems when they don’t
align with your beliefs & values.

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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 3-4^th for coaching and practical help for leading an effective student ministry. Register here.