Being Clear: Yes, You Need Job-Ministry Descriptions—for EVERYONE!
I just got off the phone with the pastor of a church that has good roots and a solid history of following Jesus and allowing His Spirit to move in and among them. They have also struggled, like many churches, over the years, with leadership, congregational engagement, staffing, and myriad other things that come along with doing ministry in a challenging place.
As with every church I’ve had the privilege of working with, one of their ongoing issues is lack of clarity around expectations—of staff, leadership, and those serving in an unpaid capacity. (I hesitate to use the word “volunteer” for loads of reasons. In sum, they are “disciples”, not “volunteers”. They are responding to God’s calling not some optional-if-you-feel-like-it thing. Also see As You Invite.) In hiring of staff, it seems that they begin with the best of intentions but, having defined the job that is needed, they pivot to hiring the person preferred by the lead pastor without regard to the actual job description. Down the road, they wonder why they continue to encounter scenarios where the person hired is not doing the job for which they were employed…and the church still has the staffing gap they articulated originally. Being a typical church community, they are loath to fire anyone, and the situations get bumpy to say the least.
The same goes for their congregation members. People are often expected to “fill slots” perhaps out of a sense of obligation or desperation and, as the weeks and months and years pass, more and more of their people seem burned out, jaded, too busy, or less engaged. Instead of aligning each person with their God-given spiritual gifts and calling and the ministry needs, people feel a sense of being used more than being set loose to accomplish God’s purposes. Without clarity of expectations AND continuous walking alongside to exhort and provide helpful feedback, they are not only misusing people, they’re not intersecting with them as disciples growing into the image of Jesus in healthy community. This has ripple effects as others watch the process and decide not to engage. A wow-if-they-treat-people-this-way-I-want-nothing-to-do-with-that circumstance.
These regularly occurring moments can be easily rectified by having a Job or a Ministry Description for each staff/leadership/ministry position—down to the detail of what benefits the person serving, the spiritual gifts and talents preferred, what training and support will be provided, who is supervising/shepherding this person, and how many hours per week/month are involved. This not only helps in the asking/hiring/onboarding, but gives you a place to return to when giving feedback or providing evaluation. It gives everyone common language and sets appropriate expectations. When a candidate does not fit the description, it is easy to see. When someone does match what is hoped for, it is also easy to see. Every conversation and invitation becomes intentional, personal, and life-giving. Engagement and involvement becomes aligned with calling and purpose—and intrinsic motivation sustains from there.
And, if we view our ministry needs as discipleship opportunities, we will let go of some outcomes along the way, while rejoicing as we see people grow and mature in their faith and walk with Christ and one another. We also see that as people live into these clear descriptions and expectations, they will often go above and beyond as they are inspired—forcing us to also let go of any micro-managing habits we may have formed along the way. The hope is for each community of believers to live as the Body of Christ—each part equal and important and doing it’s part for the whole. Great diversity. Deep unity. Profound, inexplicable love.
To help your people discover their spiritual gifts:
Downloadable Resources--See Sample List of Interest Areas; Your Spiritual Gifts—A Study Guide; Knowing Your Unique Calling and Purpose Study Guide; Whole-Life Ministry: A Form of Worship, Grace-Giving, and Living into Your Calling.
Shirley Giles Davis, author of the God. Gifts. You. Your Unique Calling and Design workbook, Your Unique Design Class Guide, Your Unique Design Facilitator Guide, and Gifts-Calling-Purpose blog, is a consultant, coach, facilitator who has worked with faith-based organizations, nonprofit agencies, and leaders in a diversity of fields for over 30 years. She has also been Equipping Ministries Director at her church since 1999.
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