Just thought I'd share a few thoughts on staff transitions. We've only had a few of them at NCC, but this weekend we say goodbye to Dave Clark who has served as our media pastor for five years and most recently, campus pastor @ our Georgetown location.
Here are a five lessons learned:
1) The better the staff member the harder it will be to say goodbye. So the harder it is the better it was. If you're not sad it doesn't say much for the people leaving. So embrace the sadness. Shed some tears. That just means they did a great job. And don't act as if it isn't a loss. It is. We can't fill Dave's shoes.
2) How you make your exit says more about your character than how you make you entrance. If you are leaving a staff I have one piece of advice: finish strong. Make them miss you. And if you're saying goodbye to a staff member, bless them and honor them on the way out. And acknowledge the fact that they will always be a shareholder. They've invested blood, sweat, and tears. And them leaving doesn't change that.
3) Eventually your kids go off to college or walk down an aisle. Parents eventually have to "let go" of their kids. I'll have mixed emotions when I walk my daughter down the aisle. It's hard to imagine right now, but I know I'll have a measure of sadness because I love my little girl. But it'll be a celebration of the next stage of her life. That is what it's like saying goodbye to a staff member. They become a family member. And we say goodbye with mixed emotions.
4) You've got to lead with an open hand. I think it's ok to ask staff to make a time commitment based on portfolio or circumstances. But even then you need to realize that God calls the shots. Everything we have and everybody we work with is on loan.
5) Remember that it's all about the kingdom. I think it's important to celebrate where they are going. And in this instance, it's easy. I love Ed Young and I love Fellowship Church. And the important thing isn't National Community Church or Fellowship Church. The important thing is God's Kingdom. May His Kingdom come and His will be done in DC and Texas as it is in Heaven.
Here are a five lessons learned:
1) The better the staff member the harder it will be to say goodbye. So the harder it is the better it was. If you're not sad it doesn't say much for the people leaving. So embrace the sadness. Shed some tears. That just means they did a great job. And don't act as if it isn't a loss. It is. We can't fill Dave's shoes.
2) How you make your exit says more about your character than how you make you entrance. If you are leaving a staff I have one piece of advice: finish strong. Make them miss you. And if you're saying goodbye to a staff member, bless them and honor them on the way out. And acknowledge the fact that they will always be a shareholder. They've invested blood, sweat, and tears. And them leaving doesn't change that.
3) Eventually your kids go off to college or walk down an aisle. Parents eventually have to "let go" of their kids. I'll have mixed emotions when I walk my daughter down the aisle. It's hard to imagine right now, but I know I'll have a measure of sadness because I love my little girl. But it'll be a celebration of the next stage of her life. That is what it's like saying goodbye to a staff member. They become a family member. And we say goodbye with mixed emotions.
4) You've got to lead with an open hand. I think it's ok to ask staff to make a time commitment based on portfolio or circumstances. But even then you need to realize that God calls the shots. Everything we have and everybody we work with is on loan.
5) Remember that it's all about the kingdom. I think it's important to celebrate where they are going. And in this instance, it's easy. I love Ed Young and I love Fellowship Church. And the important thing isn't National Community Church or Fellowship Church. The important thing is God's Kingdom. May His Kingdom come and His will be done in DC and Texas as it is in Heaven.
11 Comments:
I have always tried to build a team that can live their lives together. We are open to God's call and we celebrate or weep together.
Some times the staff transitions are bitter or disappointing due to actions of the staff member.
Your words still make since, we try to honor the staff.
i totally agree with what you're saying. we recently had an admin leave at our church, and honestly, it's been super difficult without her. it's easy to forget how integral everyone is on a staff--not just the ministers. thanks for the post. good stuff.
Solid Advice. Every interview I have with a candidate for the team I set the tone for the future. "If you are selected to serve with our team then we recognize that from day one you are getting ready for the next step that God as already prepared for you." It is a tremendous encouragement that we get to help prepare you for the next step in serving God in his Kingom." If we start with that perspective it is easier to have an open hand as God moves people to other places of service in his Kingdom.
Thanks Mark!
I love what Bill Hybels has to say on this subject. He lets anyone shop any of his staff members (ie, Lee Strobel) because if they truly seek God's Will and that is what happens then everyone wins. You, the place they are going to, and the Kingdom of course. So glad to see you share his belief as well.
What an honor to lose a staff member to Ed Young! Wow!
Great post, Mark! Dave and I were VFCC friends. It has been cool to watch him serve at NCC and grow like he has! Kudos to your leadership environment!
Thanks for these great thoughts. I am a staff member of Fair Oaks Church in Fairfax, VA. Pastor David Stokes (you have interacted with him a few times) is supporting my family in planting a church in Toronto. We have been here for seven years and leave next summer. I am sad when I think about going but want to finish strong and be a blessing. If it weren't for the compelling Kingdom Call, I would stay here much longer because I love my church and pastor. Lord bless you for the Spirit filled words.
We love the Clarks and they will be so missed. But always a part of our NCC family!
Mark, love your concept that staff members are shareholders. Don't we love most like God when we love people regardless of what they can do (or can no longer do) for us? May God help us do staff transitions better.
Mark, love your concept that staff members are shareholders. Don't we love most like God when we love people regardless of what they can do (or can no longer do) for us? May God help us do staff transitions better.
Mark....I found your blog while visiting our pastor's blog (Mike Goldsworthy in Long Beach, CA)....such a small world because you actually spoke with my husband, Toby Foreman, a week or so ago about the growth of Ebenezer's. I can't wait for you to meet him! Toby has been in the coffee industry for 20 years and grew a coffee concept from 5 stores to 160 stores. He actually just got back from visiting Mike O'Hara in Hawaii to discuss his coffee concept. I just had to post a comment, I love when worlds collide and God connects dots.
If you click on my name it will take you over to my blog...not sure if Toby shared with you but we have a little boy with Down syndrome. I started the blog to connect with others who are also walking this same road....and in hopes to be an encouragement to families just receiving the diagnosis. Feel free to pass it on if there is a family in your congregation who also has a little one with Down syndrome.
Anyway...I just had to leave a comment and say hello...such a small world we live in! Makes life so fun!! :) I am looking forward to hearing of the growth of Ebenezer's!
Love your blog Cheri! So inspirational as a parent...
Blessings!
Mark
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