{"id":31943,"date":"2022-09-10T15:50:09","date_gmt":"2022-09-10T20:50:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/14-ways-to-create-harmony-on-a-church-staff\/"},"modified":"2022-09-10T15:50:09","modified_gmt":"2022-09-10T20:50:09","slug":"14-ways-to-create-harmony-on-a-church-staff","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/14-ways-to-create-harmony-on-a-church-staff\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Ways to Create Harmony on a Church Staff"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Dylan Gillis photo – Unsplash<\/div>\n

By Joe McKeever<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re about to see the worst side of the best people.\u201d<\/p>\n

This is what my friend Glenda, a longtime office manager for a Baptist association, tells those coming to work in their office for the first time to prepare them for dealing with ministers and church leaders.<\/p>\n

It’s an important word.<\/p>\n

Not everyone is suited\u2014temperamentally, spiritually, whatever\u2014to handle all that happens in a church or ministry staff.<\/p>\n

Colossians 3:23-24 speaks to all God\u2019s children, but has special relevance to those who would serve the Lord’s churches. \u201cWhatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.\u201d<\/p>\n

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There are many positions I haven\u2019t held, but as pastor, I’ve worked in the church office all my adult life. I recently put out a call to a group of friends for advice for someone going to work in a church office for the first time.<\/p>\n

Here are some of their answers. Come to think of it, these are pieces of good advice whether you\u2019re just starting out working on a church staff or you\u2019ve been doing this for decades.<\/p>\n

1. Remember why you\u2019re really there.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Keep reminding yourself it\u2019s not<\/em> a job; it’s a ministry.<\/p>\n

2. Be humble.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

You will need a servant\u2019s heart. If you don’t have one, it’s not going to work. One friend said, \u201cWhen you arrive in the morning, make the coffee.\u201d I\u2019ve known a few people who didn\u2019t want to condescend to bringing the boss his or her coffee.<\/p>\n

3. Be trustworthy.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Confidentiality is crucial. You\u2019ll see and hear things you can\u2019t speak of. You may learn how much money certain ones give to the Lord\u2014and who gives none! Or you may learn who in the congregation has a struggling marriage. But you can\u2019t tell, period.<\/p>\n

Also, be mindful to not participate in inter-office gossip. Let it stop with you.<\/p>\n

4. Lower your expectations.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

We\u2019re all works in progress. No one is perfect. The ministers, church leaders, operations people, and administrative assistants are human, and you\u2019re about to see evidence of it.<\/p>\n

5. Treat people with deference.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Love and respect every person who comes into the office or to any church event. You represent the Lord Jesus Christ and you represent this church (whether or not your membership is there).<\/p>\n

6. Consider belonging to a different church.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Several suggested you may want to belong to a different church if you don\u2019t hold a non-ministry role, such as an accountant, IT manager, or administrative assistant. Otherwise, when you show up on Sunday, you may be besieged by members who want information, the key to the closet, or some copies made.<\/p>\n

7. Stay in the Word.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

There\u2019s no substitute for your being a faithful disciple of the Lord Jesus. This means staying in the Word, praying, and laboring to be Christ-like in everything.<\/p>\n

8. Welcome interruptions. <\/strong><\/h3>\n

You\u2019ll have 20 a day. They aren\u2019t disruptions to your job; they are<\/em> your job.<\/p>\n

9. Always be ready to minister<\/strong>.<\/h3>\n

A pastor friend suggested you work on your counseling skills and have a few key Scriptures to which you can refer easily as needed. There are times you will end up being a \u201cfront line minister.\u201d Don’t let this frighten you. Keep your eyes on the Lord and relax.<\/p>\n

10. Keep appropriate boundaries.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

With the help of your leadership create boundaries and maintain them. That is, know what you should not do, shouldn\u2019t be asked to do, etc.<\/p>\n

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See also  What Do Churchgoers Want to Change About Their Churches?<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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11. Commit to excellence.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Go for excellence in your work. Whether it means learning the best way to answer the phone, perfecting your written communication, or being proactive in lightening the load for others on staff, you can help your leader be the best minister they can be.<\/p>\n

12. Have fun with your colleagues. <\/strong><\/h3>\n

There should be break times in the morning and afternoons when you can sit around the table and relax and chat. Laugh together, love each other, and encourage one another.<\/p>\n

13. Network.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Be active in local ministry associations. Participate in their periodic or annual gatherings. You\u2019ll make some great friends, and that will come in handy when you run into a problem and need advice.<\/p>\n

14. Involve senior adults.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

If yours is a small staff, the work can seem overwhelming, and this can create a sense of disharmony. Try to enlist a couple of senior adults to volunteer for a few hours each week.<\/p>\n

They can answer the phone while you\u2019re in staff meeting or do busy work (stuff envelopes, fold bulletins, etc.) to assist you. Seniors love to do this.<\/p>\n

Lou Holtz, legendary football coach and motivational speaker, tells of the time he flew into Chicago in the middle of the night and took a cab to the hotel where he was to speak the next day.<\/p>\n

Since it was after midnight, the lobby was deserted and he had a hard time summoning the desk clerk.  Finally, a big burly guy came from the back, rubbing sleep out of his eyes. \u201cDon\u2019t have a room,\u201d he said. \u201cWe\u2019re full up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Holtz said, \u201cSir, I have a reservation.\u201d<\/p>\n

The clerk said, \u201cMaybe you didn\u2019t hear me. I said no rooms.\u201d Lou Holtz said, \u201cSir, I\u2019m speaking in this hotel at 10 in the morning. I have a guaranteed reservation for a room in this hotel.\u201d<\/p>\n

The clerk got testy. \u201cMister,\u201d he said, \u201cI don\u2019t care who you are or what you\u2019ve got. I’ve got the keys and I\u2019m telling you, you\u2019re not getting a room in this hotel tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lou Holtz then told his audience, \u201cI walked out into the cold night air with two things on my mind: How to find a room in the middle of the night in Chicago. And for the rest of my life, I\u2019ll never to miss a chance to slam that hotel!\u201d<\/p>\n

His audience laughs, but I cringe at the story.<\/p>\n

That desk clerk is the nightmare of every hotel manager and owner. He\u2019s not the highest paid employee but he can make or break a business.<\/p>\n

As a church employee\u2014whether you\u2019re receptionist, ministry assistant, or the pastor\u2014you are on the \u201cfront desk,\u201d both for the Lord Jesus Christ and for this church.<\/p>\n

People are going to be making important decisions\u2014trusting Christ, coming to this church\u2014and much of it will have to do with how well you and I represent Him.<\/p>\n

If that\u2019s not enough to drive you to your knees in prayer, you\u2019re not\u00a0paying attention.<\/p>\n

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Joe McKeever<\/h2>\n

@DrJoeMcKeever<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Joe pastored for 42 years and has been preaching the gospel since 1962. He blogs regularly for pastors and other church leaders at\u00a0JoeMcKeever.com.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n