The only "product" God is interested in is people. Literally and figuratively, he is in the "people business." Of course, this approach is also economically inefficient, because every person is unique (not to mention broken.) Loving them well as a leader is time and attention demanding.
What I'd like to know more about is how to deal with the tension of a loving and leading an employee well, but they still don't respond or meet expectations. How do we balance between investing in our people and still stay on mission? How do we avoid getting stuck in measuring the measurables, but still hold employees accountable? This has always been the challenge for me as a leader.
The irony in all of it is that the fundamental mission for a church is sharing God's love with his people, and that should include people who work directly for the church. Sometimes (many times) the paradox just paralyzes me from making hard decisions.
Such great thoughts Art. And fantastic questions. I'll put some thought into this and perhaps write more, or do a podcast on it later, but here are some initial thoughts. Love anyone elses feedback on here too.
I believe that part of loving and leading is a heavy dose of accountability. If I truly love my kids, I'll discipline them. If we have people we are leading that are continually falling short and under performing, even after repeated warnings and probations, then it is time to let someone go. ReLeaders must fire people too. There's no doubt. But in a sense, we are helping them in this way too. I'm quite certain they won't see it this way, but if we have given clear guidelines, deadlines and requirements that are repeatedly ignored, then its time for that person to go.
Proverbs 12:1, says "Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid." (NIV)
Which is hilarious to me that the bible calls someone stupid. If the bible knows there are "stupid" people out there, then we should know that too. And the bible tells us how to recognize them, "they hate correction."
Just some initial thoughts Art. Fantastic question and feedback. There is alot more to be discussed in this vein. Thanks for sparking it!
Although I have no authority to speak to your dilemna, I have a few thoughts on the subject.
I have never worked in ministry, but I have wondered about the balance with which you speak.
As I was thinking on your questions, the life and ministry of Jesus came up in my mind in combination to some of Pastor’s past articles/podcasts in this community. (I also have a current life situation to share that may, or may not, give some insight).
The real life situation is probably more pertinent to your particular dilemma:
I am a nurse by profession, specializing in critical care. Yet in 2019, I was, unfortunately, given the opportunity to see the hospital setting from a patient's viewpoint, from an ICU bed. I was hospitalized for 5 weeks. I experienced my share of mishaps from fellow nurses. One such event was ugly enough for me to ask to see the manager of the unit. As she entered my room, her nonverbals spelled dread. I think I really shocked her when what I said was, "let's just skip over the events, I'm ok, but I'd like to discuss my concern for the nurse involved, " I went on to list 4-5 nonverbals that were evident from the nurse on duty at the time. I pointed out that those type of nonverbals, many times, point to something that many times gets missed, especially in those "under-prrformers" in the workplace.... domestic violence. What many people don't pickup on is that some people who terrorize their significant other, can act very sweet to outsiders. Those being abused, are ususlly led to believe that they deserve it... sometimes, it is those who you least expect. Sometimes its other, home/personal issues like a sickly child, caring for an elderly relative.... as Pastor said, it's about relationships... and building trust... not only can the employee feel safe to openly share, but if in relationship, the employer, or those in charge can more easily pick up on cues and provide loving support and resources.
But many times with underperformers, there can be a fixable solution that ends up costing less to fix, than to fire/hire, and train a new emoloyee.
And,.. then there's the disciples... which one of them was completely ready and qualified for the ministry that Jesus was about to embark upon, right? Especially Peter and Judas Iscariot!!
No matter what area we are releading in, God's timing and God's way is what we are all seeking, I imagine this applies to hiring employees as well. In my humble and inexperienced opinion in this area, Pastor is right, it's all about having a relationship with the people. Pastor is also correct in, if managers rush forward before God's timing, not just the employee, but management, other team members, manufacturing, etc are going to suffer. If you go to the cost of hiring/training and it doesn't work out because of wrong timing,... there's loss of revenue... and needing to re-hire, and begin again. It is, indeed, a big responsibility, especially when considering we work for yhe Lord, not for man, right?
I was thinking of my parenting a now grown son.
For those of you who have ever raised boys, just wait until they go through the rough, turbulant 12-15 year old stage, right?! My Mother always had a saying when us kids thought a little too much of ourselves, "your acting a little too big for your britches!!" and sometimes those "britches" got switches...lol.
Mary, Jesus' Mother, had been entrusted with God's Son, and when He was 12 years old, she up and lost him!! Can you imagine the panic in Mary's heart?!
Mary's response was similar to any Mama's loving correction. She lovingly reminded Jesus that it wasn't the right timing for his ministry to begin.
Father God had a lot of things to develop in Jesus before His time was right. Not just in Jesus, but both His parents too. And what about His siblings, what about the political & religious atmosphere, and most certainly, the disciples!!! God knew the perfect timing.
A lot happened between the time Jesus was 12 y/o and the time Jesus was 30 y/o!!! A major event being, Jesus' earthly father, supposedly, died. Leaving Jesus as the eldest son and not only receiving a double inheritance (I think they were quite poor) but also the responsibly for 3 brothers and 2 sisters.
I don't know about you, but I have always speculated about that wedding in Caanan. Pastor, please correct me if I'm wrong, but I think, according to Jewish tradition, the eldest son, when the father passed away, was then responsible for any single sisters.
Could it be that that wedding was that of Jesus' bsby sister??? Could it be that now His responsibilities were lessened and it freed Him up to fully engage in His ministry.
But He, apparently had learned not to "act bigger than His britches" by this time cause even though Mary knew that as a widow, Jesus was in authority over her, yet, she was wise enough to realize the power of her words. At this wedding in Caanan, she walked up to Jesus, and I imagine her giving Him a nudge, looking Him in the eyes and whispering, "it's time, You can do this, Son, I have faith in You, I believe in You"
I beleve that the Holy Spirit takes pity on us Mamas and endows us with extra special discernment for our boys. We know when they're hurting, when they need encouragement, when they need a loving nudge.....Maybe that encouragement was just what Jesus needed, He was still human, even He, needed encouragement.
Many times, that's all someone needs, is a word of encouragement.
I know that that's a lot of thoughts. And maybe none of it is pertinent to your original question. Maybe you can gleen even one small nugget from this to help you, maybe Father God can use, even one sentence. I'll be praying for you.
In the past 4 days, God has been taking me through just how relational He is! He has taken my spiritual jouney through realigning my view of Father God, then He took me through a time of concentrating on developing my relationship with His Son, Jesus. Since Mother's Day, God and I are leaning into developing a relationship with the Holy Spirit, which helps in walking by faith in who we were really created to be.
It's not about seeking the "Gifts of the Holy Spirit" it's about seeking the Gift-GIVER!!! God has been reminding me of the "Expecting Season" we did a year ago. I'm considering going through that again because I am in a completely different space now, with developing my relationship with the Holy Spirit!!!
The only "product" God is interested in is people. Literally and figuratively, he is in the "people business." Of course, this approach is also economically inefficient, because every person is unique (not to mention broken.) Loving them well as a leader is time and attention demanding.
What I'd like to know more about is how to deal with the tension of a loving and leading an employee well, but they still don't respond or meet expectations. How do we balance between investing in our people and still stay on mission? How do we avoid getting stuck in measuring the measurables, but still hold employees accountable? This has always been the challenge for me as a leader.
The irony in all of it is that the fundamental mission for a church is sharing God's love with his people, and that should include people who work directly for the church. Sometimes (many times) the paradox just paralyzes me from making hard decisions.
Such great thoughts Art. And fantastic questions. I'll put some thought into this and perhaps write more, or do a podcast on it later, but here are some initial thoughts. Love anyone elses feedback on here too.
I believe that part of loving and leading is a heavy dose of accountability. If I truly love my kids, I'll discipline them. If we have people we are leading that are continually falling short and under performing, even after repeated warnings and probations, then it is time to let someone go. ReLeaders must fire people too. There's no doubt. But in a sense, we are helping them in this way too. I'm quite certain they won't see it this way, but if we have given clear guidelines, deadlines and requirements that are repeatedly ignored, then its time for that person to go.
Proverbs 12:1, says "Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid." (NIV)
Which is hilarious to me that the bible calls someone stupid. If the bible knows there are "stupid" people out there, then we should know that too. And the bible tells us how to recognize them, "they hate correction."
Just some initial thoughts Art. Fantastic question and feedback. There is alot more to be discussed in this vein. Thanks for sparking it!
Although I have no authority to speak to your dilemna, I have a few thoughts on the subject.
I have never worked in ministry, but I have wondered about the balance with which you speak.
As I was thinking on your questions, the life and ministry of Jesus came up in my mind in combination to some of Pastor’s past articles/podcasts in this community. (I also have a current life situation to share that may, or may not, give some insight).
The real life situation is probably more pertinent to your particular dilemma:
I am a nurse by profession, specializing in critical care. Yet in 2019, I was, unfortunately, given the opportunity to see the hospital setting from a patient's viewpoint, from an ICU bed. I was hospitalized for 5 weeks. I experienced my share of mishaps from fellow nurses. One such event was ugly enough for me to ask to see the manager of the unit. As she entered my room, her nonverbals spelled dread. I think I really shocked her when what I said was, "let's just skip over the events, I'm ok, but I'd like to discuss my concern for the nurse involved, " I went on to list 4-5 nonverbals that were evident from the nurse on duty at the time. I pointed out that those type of nonverbals, many times, point to something that many times gets missed, especially in those "under-prrformers" in the workplace.... domestic violence. What many people don't pickup on is that some people who terrorize their significant other, can act very sweet to outsiders. Those being abused, are ususlly led to believe that they deserve it... sometimes, it is those who you least expect. Sometimes its other, home/personal issues like a sickly child, caring for an elderly relative.... as Pastor said, it's about relationships... and building trust... not only can the employee feel safe to openly share, but if in relationship, the employer, or those in charge can more easily pick up on cues and provide loving support and resources.
But many times with underperformers, there can be a fixable solution that ends up costing less to fix, than to fire/hire, and train a new emoloyee.
And,.. then there's the disciples... which one of them was completely ready and qualified for the ministry that Jesus was about to embark upon, right? Especially Peter and Judas Iscariot!!
No matter what area we are releading in, God's timing and God's way is what we are all seeking, I imagine this applies to hiring employees as well. In my humble and inexperienced opinion in this area, Pastor is right, it's all about having a relationship with the people. Pastor is also correct in, if managers rush forward before God's timing, not just the employee, but management, other team members, manufacturing, etc are going to suffer. If you go to the cost of hiring/training and it doesn't work out because of wrong timing,... there's loss of revenue... and needing to re-hire, and begin again. It is, indeed, a big responsibility, especially when considering we work for yhe Lord, not for man, right?
I was thinking of my parenting a now grown son.
For those of you who have ever raised boys, just wait until they go through the rough, turbulant 12-15 year old stage, right?! My Mother always had a saying when us kids thought a little too much of ourselves, "your acting a little too big for your britches!!" and sometimes those "britches" got switches...lol.
Mary, Jesus' Mother, had been entrusted with God's Son, and when He was 12 years old, she up and lost him!! Can you imagine the panic in Mary's heart?!
Mary's response was similar to any Mama's loving correction. She lovingly reminded Jesus that it wasn't the right timing for his ministry to begin.
Father God had a lot of things to develop in Jesus before His time was right. Not just in Jesus, but both His parents too. And what about His siblings, what about the political & religious atmosphere, and most certainly, the disciples!!! God knew the perfect timing.
A lot happened between the time Jesus was 12 y/o and the time Jesus was 30 y/o!!! A major event being, Jesus' earthly father, supposedly, died. Leaving Jesus as the eldest son and not only receiving a double inheritance (I think they were quite poor) but also the responsibly for 3 brothers and 2 sisters.
I don't know about you, but I have always speculated about that wedding in Caanan. Pastor, please correct me if I'm wrong, but I think, according to Jewish tradition, the eldest son, when the father passed away, was then responsible for any single sisters.
Could it be that that wedding was that of Jesus' bsby sister??? Could it be that now His responsibilities were lessened and it freed Him up to fully engage in His ministry.
But He, apparently had learned not to "act bigger than His britches" by this time cause even though Mary knew that as a widow, Jesus was in authority over her, yet, she was wise enough to realize the power of her words. At this wedding in Caanan, she walked up to Jesus, and I imagine her giving Him a nudge, looking Him in the eyes and whispering, "it's time, You can do this, Son, I have faith in You, I believe in You"
I beleve that the Holy Spirit takes pity on us Mamas and endows us with extra special discernment for our boys. We know when they're hurting, when they need encouragement, when they need a loving nudge.....Maybe that encouragement was just what Jesus needed, He was still human, even He, needed encouragement.
Many times, that's all someone needs, is a word of encouragement.
I know that that's a lot of thoughts. And maybe none of it is pertinent to your original question. Maybe you can gleen even one small nugget from this to help you, maybe Father God can use, even one sentence. I'll be praying for you.
AMEN, ANEN, & AMEN!!
In the past 4 days, God has been taking me through just how relational He is! He has taken my spiritual jouney through realigning my view of Father God, then He took me through a time of concentrating on developing my relationship with His Son, Jesus. Since Mother's Day, God and I are leaning into developing a relationship with the Holy Spirit, which helps in walking by faith in who we were really created to be.
It's not about seeking the "Gifts of the Holy Spirit" it's about seeking the Gift-GIVER!!! God has been reminding me of the "Expecting Season" we did a year ago. I'm considering going through that again because I am in a completely different space now, with developing my relationship with the Holy Spirit!!!
Very well said, Pastor!!!!