Keeping Your Staff from Quitting Part 3

April 24, 2013 — Leave a comment

Regardless of your platform, keeping your staff around is key to having longevity and success.  I once turned down an offer from a church because I noticed in recent years their staff turnover percentage had skyrocketed and they didn’t have a clear understanding as of why.  In the retail industry, I’ve heard of store managers receiving a negative score on their annual review if they have a high turnover rate among their staff.  Consistency is key.

Once a leader chooses to focus on Encouraging their staff and providing opportunities for Education and development, the final layer in this onion is Empowerment.

Do you trust your team to get the job done?  Are you lurking over their shoulder scrutinizing every decision they make?  If you’ve brought them on your team to fulfill a certain role then let them do their job.  Yes, they will make mistakes (so did you) and no, they won’t do it exactly the same way as you would (what’s the big deal?) but if you want to honor them as a unique individual and provide real opportunity for growth you’ll have to let them do their job.

Empowerment says, “I trust you to take the shot.  You might miss it but I’m going to do my best to clear the lane and give you the best look possible.”  Empowerment requires you to let go so someone else can become the star.

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Keeping Your Staff from Quitting Part 2

April 22, 2013 — Leave a comment

As our conversation continued it was clear the initial blow was more devastating than I thought and I needed to proceed with a certain level of caution and tact.  I was not going to be able to rush out of the room the way I had planned, but instead I would need to plant myself in this conversation.  “John” didn’t need a quick fix but rather a lifeline.  At this moment I could have chosen to bark out some information or sit with him and take the 10 minutes needed to walk him through this stage of his journey.

After reminding him that every volunteer needs three investments from him (#1 Encouragement) I walked him through what I thought to be the next layer in the onion so to speak but this layer was going to require a certain level of transparency.

2. Education

Whenever we think about keeping our staff (volunteer or paid) educated for the task at hand, there is a set of questions we really have to wrestle with..

A. The Evaluation

  • What am I reading right now?
  • Am I sharpening my skills and mind?
  • What do I want my staff to truly accomplish?
  • What is the vision for this ministry or business?
  • Have I asked them to come on board because I believe in them or because there was a slot to fill?

After I’ve wrestled with some questions on my intent, I have to start processing how to get the information in the hands of my leaders.  If knowledge breeds power then how can I set my team up for success?

B. The Application

  • Find a way to provide resources for your team.  Instead of highlighting their missed opportunities get tools in their hands that will naturally sharpen them.
  • Get them training.  Whether you take them to a national or regional conference, find a way to get together to learn.  Not only will there be educational growth but relational growth as well.
  • Use those resources as a teaching guide.  I love it when in the coarse of a training, workshop, speech or sermon the communicator references what they’ve been reading and they’ve processed it so much they could quote it. Incorporate what you’ve been reading in your leader meetings and watch your team begin to develop a natural appetite for “more.”
  • Hold your team accountable.  If you’ve provided resources for them and have created the expectation of learning then follow up!  I love the phrase, “Inspect what you expect.”  If you’re creating the expectation of growth then follow-up to ensure it’s being lived out.

But, here is where you can get kicked in the teeth.  There is not a team member in the world who will intentionally grow on their own if they aren’t seeing you grow as a leader.  You cannot create an expectation that you’re not living out yourself.  If you’re not sharpening your skills as a leader you will become a dull, worthless blade void of any value; not even worth being kept in the drawer.

In Career, Leadership , , , , ,
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Keeping Your Volunteers from Quitting Part 1

April 1, 2013 — 1 Comment

I-Quit2

He sat in the pew defeated, discouraged and completely confused as to what was happening in his ministry.  His numbers were waning, his volunteers were disappearing and the grumbles from the church members were starting to get a little louder each Sunday.  I honestly don’t remember his name but I’ll never forget the look on his face.

“I can’t get my volunteers to stick around and when I do I can’t get them to do anything.”  This was a slightly awkward gathering for this type of question but I did my best to go along with it.  I really didn’t want to be at the meeting on that Saturday morning.  It was a state meeting of our denomination (your typical dog and pony show) and I was extremely tired plus I had my young son with me.  I wasn’t much for the pastoral politics and was checking my watch for when I could leave.  My window of escape was quickly approaching and I was gathering Aeden’s toys and was preparing for a mad dash to the exit during the closing prayer.  And that’s when he needed a life raft.

After asking him to explain a little more of his situation and his heart for ministry, it was pretty clear why he was having a hard time with his volunteers.  I asked him to view the context of the situation from the lens of his volunteers and we walked away with three areas he could start to focus on immediately.  Change would take time but these were the places to start….

1. Encouragement

What are you doing to intentionally encourage your team?  Are you standing at the door staring at your watch like you’re the church bouncer?  Are you hiding in the corner of their room like a ninja waiting to pounce on them if they’re five minutes late?

Richard was great at making sure everything was in it’s place, the doors to the Sunday School classes were unlocked, the lights were on and attendance sheets were on the podiums.  But Richard was horrible with people.  If you were late he would chase you down on the way to class and ask you 100 different ways why you were late and if you understood your commitment.  He was a hawk.

While Richard was chasing down the 8-9 year old teacher to remind her of her tardiness and commitment she looked him in the eye, started to cry and said, “Sir, I tried my best to get here this morning.  My two boys refused to get ready, I’ve been sick all morning and I’m pretty sure my husband is going to leave me.  To be honest, the least of my concerns was getting here at 10am.”

As leaders, we really don’t understand what stories are being played out behind the eyes of our volunteers.  Yes, leading them is important but leading them with love is essential.

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What Will They Remember?

March 29, 2013 — Leave a comment

This was His final dinner and He wanted to share it with His friends.  In a few hours he would face betrayal and would be alone; no one would stand with him.  One friend would sell Him out, another would deny he ever knew Him and the rest would go into hiding.  But, this was the moment He had waited for.  Not only was it an opportunity to celebrate the past (Passover) but to teach them about the future.

“And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” Luke 22:19  

Today, what do you remember?

A friend of mine is near death and has shared his last meal with his family.  Not many days from now he will pass away and his spot at the dinner table will be empty.  He’s lived a good life, helped a number of people, was a pillar in his church and has been a great husband, father and grandfather.  That’s what I remember about James.  He always put people first.

Better yet…he was able to live this type of life because he stayed in constant reminder of what Good Friday was all about.

In Death, Easter, Faith, Family, Good Friday, Life , ,
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Living “Out” or Living “With”?

March 27, 2013 — Leave a comment

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As our children are getting older, I realize Joyce and I have done a really solid job reminding them of God’s love, the need to have a personal relationship with Him and, of coarse, loving your neighbor as yourself.  We’re practically “all stars” when it comes to teaching our children “why” to believe in God.  However,  I’ve come to realize Joyce and I are still in the minor leagues when it comes to living our faith “with” our children.

Not only do I want to teach them about prayer, but I want to show them how to pray.  Not only do I want to teach them how to love those who hurt us…but I want to walk that journey with them.  That’s when life change happens….when I swallow my spiritual insecurity and laziness to live a child-like faith.

Am I simply living “out” my faith in front of them (good) or am I living the journey “with” them (best)?

In Faith, Family, Leadership, Life, Ministry, Relationships , ,
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Who Will Carry You?

March 25, 2013 — 1 Comment

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At first glance the question seemed somewhat vain and slightly egotistical.  At the very least it was morbid.  But then it started to sink in.  And then the question began to press heavily on my mind like a weight refusing to be moved, “When you die, who will be honored to carry you to your grave?”

The underlying questions are, Who am I living life with today and am I impacting them to the level that they will want to carry out my final earthly need?  When my life ends will a legacy begin?  Have I taken the time to love and invest in the lives of those around me?

While serving as a staff member of a church I had the honor to conduct a number of funerals during my tenure.  There were a couple of local funeral homes that would call our office and ask for us to help if the deceased didn’t have a pastor that could officiate the funeral.  Once I arrived, the undertaker would hand me the official record and we would touch base on the scheduling of the service and occasionally he would ask me the most heartbreaking question; “Could you be one of the undertakers as well?”

As the body laid cold in the other room there weren’t enough people to carry them…to provide the last human need that had to be met.  They laid there with no one to help.

Ultimately, have I chosen to live life with people or did I focus on completing a list of tasks?  You might be living life to the fullest but when you take the snapshot of the experience, is there be anyone in the picture next to you?

In Death, Family, Life, Relationships , ,
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The Inside Pitch

March 22, 2013 — Leave a comment

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Last spring I visited the Louisville Slugger factory, the Houston Astros minor league field and The Ballpark at Arlington which all remind me how much I love baseball.  It was the sport I first feel in love with as a boy, the first sport I failed in and then succeeded in as well.  No doubt my dad taking me to a ton of Tiger games as a child aided in my affection for the sport.  But there is a baseball phrase that’s been flying “off the bat”: “He fought the pitch off for a base hit”.

A good pitcher loves to throw to ball high and inside.  It keeps the batter mentally off his game and physically on his toes.  The high and inside pitch makes the batter uncomfortable…and at times a little angry.  Fighting a pitch off runs the risk of both injury and failure yet every good hitter knows how to identify and hit this type of aggressive pitch.  It takes an extreme amount of concentration, a ton of courage and faith in the numerous drills that have developed your skill yet there is still a small level of awe when the single flies to the opposite field.

In ministry we face the “high and inside pitch” from a variety of “pitchers” who seemingly exist to do nothing but keep us on our toes and make us uncomfortable.  How do we fight it off?  We have to stay focused and must maintain a proper perspective: We wrestle not against flesh in blood.  Dig in, be of good courage, watch the pitch all the way in and crush the “ball” to the opposite field.

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Just Walk Away

March 20, 2013 — Leave a comment

low section view of three people walking

“How do I know when it’s time to leave?“, was the question a good friend of mine called to ask a couple of weeks ago.  He was filled with hurt, anger and frustration.  Things weren’t going well for him at his church and communication was breaking down between he and his senior pastor.  Once we moved past the emotion of the decision I advised him to evaluate whether he stayed or left on three different criteria.

First, ask yourself what God is doing in your life.  What is He stirring in you?  Do you “feel” Him leading you down a certain path that would take you away from your current ministry setting?  Second, how would you measure your family support?  Is your current ministry setting breaking your marriage or strengthening it?  Finally, how is your relationship with the current leadership and can you support their vision?

“But what if I’m not in a church/ministry setting?  Will this process work for me?“  Sure it will.  Check out the above questions but with a couple of changes.  First, search for what you’re truly passionate about.  What seems to be stirring your heart and igniting your dreams?  Second, is your current job adding a lot of family stress?  Are you able to take care of your financial responsibilities?  Finally, how would you define your relationship with your current boss?  Is there a lot of tension between you two? Do you seem to be on the same page most of the time?  Do you feel like you’re moving forward in your career?

While a number of factors will influence you decision, how honestly you answer these three questions will help to keep your motives clear and reputation pure.

In Career, Leadership, Ministry , , , ,
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Is a Sabatical Possible in Youth Ministry?

March 18, 2013 — 3 Comments

Until recently I’ve never heard of a youth pastor receiving a sabbatical from their church in honor of their hard work, years of service and level of impact in the community.  Usually when a church feels you deserve a “sabbatical“, it means they’re ready for you to “follow God’s direction for your life (new employment)“.  While funny it does bring the question to mind, “why is there such a disconnect between a youth pastor’s view of their impact and the church’s unending desire for wanting ‘more’ from their youth pastor”?

But I think the greater question to wrestle with is, “will it ever change?”  Change requires someone to take the lead, have the conversation and make themselves vulnerable.  When you’re in an environment where your work ethic is questioned or your level of impact is in limbo, the responsibility becomes yours to clear the air, take the plunge and ensure your credibility and effectiveness.  If not, the next item on your to-do list will be to update your résumé.

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Girls Cheat and Guys Are Clueless

March 15, 2013 — 1 Comment

Since I’ve been traveling this spring with the CIY Believe tour, I’ve come to a life-changing conclusion: “Girls cheat and guys are clueless.” One of my roles on the tour is to promote and sell Simply Youth Ministry resources to the adult leaders and junior high students who attend. Two of our more popular resources are: “99 Thoughts about Guys: For Girls Eyes Only” and “99 Though about Girls: for Guys Eyes Only”. The concept is simple: read these books and understand the opposite sex better.

Great concept. Easy read…but only if you read it. The guys walked by, picked up the book for their gender, put it down and bought a hacky sack instead. The girls…bought both books. Yeah, that’s cheating.

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