How fun is it to work on a staff? To be mentored, to have fun, to be a part of a dynamic culture. To dream, to accomplish, to laugh, to cry, to have your best friends there to hold up your arms. Isn’t it the greatest?
It truly is. Until, of course, it isn’t. At all.
We all have our horror stories of being on a church staff. Sometimes it’s the greatest place in the world and sometimes you’d rather just stay in bed. Forever.
As I visit churches all across America, I encounter some staff members who love their work (and who they work with) and others who just want to get out.
Where are you? Do you love what you do? Do you love who get to work with?
It’s true. You might be in a less-than-stellar environment. And you have a choice to either leave or to make it better. Because here’s the deal: you don’t have an option to hang on, gossip, check-out, disagree, not speak up, and coast through your job. That kind of life isn’t good for you, your team, or the people you lead.
Either LOVE your work or find something else to do.
Think about it. The grass is always greener somewhere else, but what if you approached where you were with total focus and “all in” attention? What would change?
I’ve had the privilege of being part of an incredible team. But I’ve had my fair share of temptation to just coast and show up for the job, not investing my best self.
That might be where you are right now. You might be looking for a new role. You might be praying for a change.
What To Do Before You Leave
If you find yourself in a difficult situation, try this before You leave:
1.Speak Up – When you’re in meetings, stop just being a fly on the wall and disagreeing when you leave. Speak up. Contribute. Come prepared. Take notes. Be all in. It doesn’t mean you need to agree on everything. Matter of fact, if you don’t, say so. Better to have public disagreement than private.
2. Make Something Big Happen – Your job will begin to stall when you stop reaching higher. Whenever you simply maintain what has been in the past, you lose your edge. Your passion dwindles. You need something to reach for. You need to make something big happen that serves your church and is beyond what someone is expecting of you.
3. Lead With Vulnerability – Breakdowns happen in a team when we forget vulnerability and communication stops. Sure, you might not be in charge, but lead the way with vulnerability and open dialogue. Initiate conversations with your supervisor. Bring issues out into the open and face it.
4. Be An Advocate – Breakdowns happen when you break down your organization behind the scenes. Great culture is fought for from everyone on the team. What would change if you stopped harping about how much you hated your job and you started advocating for it? Even if you’re not being led well, what if you bragged on your leaders and the vision for the future? What if?
5. Own Another’s Vision – Sure, maybe there is tension. You haven’t seen eye to eye with your leader or pastor. But have you tried to give yourself 100% to the fulfillment of their vision? If not, give it a try. Something changes in you when you humble yourself and pour yourself out for another’s vision. There are valuable lessons to learn in that process and just maybe a change of heart.
I’d love to hear from you. How do you create culture and lead when you’re in a tough place?
What are you learning?
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Own Another’s Vision –
What do you do when the current leader is not self-aware enough to have a specific vision?
The blind cannot lead the blind. You should not follow someone who does not have a clear vision from God. If you do, bad things are imminent.
Hi Will – Wow, that’s a tough place to be in, but if the Lord has placed you there, perhaps He’s done so to bring about new vision and change through you. I know from experience that a person does not have to be in charge to bring fresh vision and positive change. It may not be easy and can be very discouraging and frustrating at times, but it is possible to influence from behind and be a positive agent for change on your team. I’d start with focusing on the things you do have control over – like seeking the Lord for your own vision and then leading yourself well. David’s “Beyond Sunday” ebook workbook is excellent for this. Once completed, it might prove to be a good tool to open the discussion of vision with your current leader or pastor. There’s a page for your leader or pastor to write down their vision. At the very least, it will help you identify the direction the Lord is leading you.
Another great resource is the excellent book “How To Lead When You’re Not In Charge” (Leveraging Influence When You Lack Authority) by Clay Scroggins.
May the Lord give you clear vision and an extra measure of His grace as you walk this out in humility and respect. Praying for you.
Thanks, Tracy!