Comments on: Hiring Part 4

By: Disadvantages of Hiring From Outside - LifeChurch.tv : swerve

Disadvantages of Hiring From Outside - LifeChurch.tv : swerve — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 11:59:38 +0000

[...] Hurt Relationships. If you hire from other ministries, you can put a strain on ministry friendships. We must be careful to hire with integrity. [...]

By: ChurchNiche » When Church Members Leave

ChurchNiche » When Church Members Leave — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 13:52:23 +0000

[...] It seems that everyone has been talking lately about leaving churches and how to be graceful in doing so. And if it’s not how to leave a church, it’s how to take in someone who left another church or fire someone from your own church. [...]

By: Michael McLemore

Michael McLemore — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 21:05:06 +0000

Steven, I think this is the same as in any business. Most people have an exit strategy, so when one of my management team decides to leave, one of the first questions is who they are taking (direct reports, etc).

At that point there is open dialogue and compromise. If that did not transpire then it is subjective based on your relationship. Any L5 leader will not stand in the way of a growth opportunity for a team member.

The change facilitates growth for both orgs.

By: Jim Miller

Jim Miller — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 20:39:16 +0000

This has great application to the business world as well. I’ll keep these in mind for my own hiring in the future. Thanks, Craig!

By: Charlie Wallace

Charlie Wallace — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 19:33:57 +0000

As far as Steven’s question about hiring former staff, as with anything, there are many variables.

I believe an example that would be a reason to hire former staff would be the following:

Let’s say you were lead pastor at Church X. Rev. John was your Associate Pastor. You leave Church X and go to Community Church. The new pastor comes into Church X and has a completely different vision for the church. Rev. John is frustrated with the new vision and Community Church, where you are now, could use a Rev. John to reach people for Christ. It would be beneficial at that point to definitely bring Rev. John on staff for you, him, Community Church, Church X, and the Kingdom.

By: lor

lor — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 17:11:06 +0000

great post! one question though…

how is it less disruptive to a church’s ministry to lose someone just because they’re further away? have they not lost that staff member regardless of the new positions location?

or are you referring to the possibility that people will follow the personality if they remain in the area?

By: Craig

Craig — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 14:30:54 +0000

Great comments. Can some of you help answer Steven’s question and keep the dialog going.

What have you learned about this from your expereince?

By: scott hodge

scott hodge — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 14:21:08 +0000

Craig - thanks for these series of posts… Very helpful!

By: Steven

Steven — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 14:13:33 +0000

I’d like to get thoughts on hiring staff from a church where you formerly served. Should the relational connection necessitate permission from the current supervisor? Is there a time period that should be allowed before pursuing staff, after you have moved to another church?

By: Steve McMillan

Steve McMillan — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 14:12:45 +0000

Thanks for the hiring thoughts - some good, helpful stuff for sure. But hiring is the easy part right? I’m looking forward to your thoughts on how to handle the times when it’s necessary to “let someone go.” :)

By: Charlie Wallace

Charlie Wallace — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 14:08:12 +0000

I agree with hiring internal staff, or church members, for a number of reasons:

1) They are committed to the church and, more importantly, the VISION for the church.

2) They will be good on staff because they are probably doing whatever you are going to hire them for for free already which shows a love for God and ministry.

3) Turnover typically will not be as high…especially for administrative type jobs. As far as hiring a church member and ordaining him as a pastor I think that person has to be called to the ministry and the whole process should be a bit more serious since he will now be a biblical elder.

Be looking forward to seeing what you write about tomorrow. I am thoroughly enjoying this series.

By: Neil in Oregon

Neil in Oregon — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 13:54:03 +0000

It seems to me there is something uniquely ‘Christian’ in holding our staff with open hands. My last staff ‘loss’ was encouraging to me, actually. Not that I wanted that youth guy gone, not at all. He’s a friend and a brother in Christ. He was open with me about the opportunity he was presented with and I processed it with him initially. Then, after deciding to pursue it some, I was one of his references. His new ‘boss’ called and I spent over an hour talking about this youth pastor’s strengths and weaknesses. I asked about the ministry there and we talked openly about how my staff guy would do in his environment. During the interview process in another state, the youth pastor called ME with some questions. I coached him a little bit as far as what he was experiencing (without giving away his need to be fully himself in the interview process). When he got back, he processed with me whether or not this was God’s leading. He got the ministry position and lives in that other state now… and would you believe, we’re still good friends!

This process struck me as just being right! I think God is honored when we’re open and honest, holding HIS Kingdom with open hands. He can do whatever He wants, true?

Enjoying the blog… blessings!

By: Malcolm

Malcolm — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 13:51:06 +0000

Craig… great post. As somebody that is currently on a church staff… but is praying about God’s direction in ministry right now, your posts on hiring have been very insightful and thought provoking.

I am fortunate to work on a mega-church staff, and to work daily with the senior & executive pastor. Our senior pastor places a high value on loyalty, and I have seen times in past when other pastors have interviewed at other places and when they have told him and asked for his blessing. He has always blessed people to go where God is calling them… BUT there has been times when he has taken them out of the loop at times just for interviewing.

I was some what concerned in my case, because I do work so close with him that if I interviewed some where I would have the same fate. I was interviewing with two different churches recently, when I wanted to let him know about them and asked for his blessing. For a few days it was somewhat tense, but he started to come back around. Now, neither place was the right fit for me, my family or the churches that I interviewed with… for some of the same reasons you listed.

Thanks.

Malcolm

Check out my blog at: http://www.completinggodsmission.com