Do not wait; the time will never be ‘just right.’ Start where you stand, and work with whatever tools you may have at your command, and better tools will be found as you go along.

– Napoleon Hill

If God has entrusted you with a team of people to help your church reaches its full redemptive potential, then you probably struggle with trying to get the most benefit from them.

Well, assembling and getting the most out of your staff is one of the toughest things that a pastor deals with in leading a growing church. On top of all that has to be done from week to week, staff communication can quickly become overwhelming.

In one of my recent coaching networks, someone asked this question: “How do you deal with all the questions that staff members bring you?”

What a great question – and one that many of us don’t think to ask. I wanted to take just a moment to share a principle on this topic.

Here’s the quick hint (in case you’re running late for an appointment):

If Your Staff Has Questions, Demand Options

What I mean is that, as a leader, you should never respond to a question from a staff member (in person, by phone or email) unless they first give you two or three suggested answers.

Why?

1) Because they know better than you. The fact that they are asking tells you that they have already spent more time thinking about it than you have.

This is essential, because it only gets more true the larger your church grows. When The Journey was just getting started, I knew everything that happened in every area. Not so these days.

Let the staff member share their thoughts on the question, then you can help them build on those thoughts.

2) Your staff needs to learn to think for themselves. In leadership development, it’s vital that you are being intentional about helping your staff learn to think.

If they can just run to you and let you fix it every time they run into a problem, how are you helping them grow?

Use your staff’s questions to teach them to think.

3) Perhaps the most important reason for implementing this principle is that you get better answers when you have multiple people thinking about the solution. It’s the old “two heads are better than one” idiom.

All of us are smarter than any of us.

I hope that’s helpful!

Nelson

P.S. If you missed this week’s Staffing Webinar on the “Top 3 Staffing Mistakes,” you have a chance to catch it next week. I will be doing it again on Tuesday and Wednesday but you better hurry and sign up as this will fill up.

In this NEW 75-minute webinar we will walk through each of the three most common mistakes, what you can do this week to correct them, and how to ensure that you’re doing everything you can to cooperate with God to lead your staff and grow your church.

There are a limited number of spots available for each webinar. These webinars are Tuesday and Wednesday next week. It’s FREE to participate but you must RSVP at this link below:

http://www.churchleaderinsights.com/staffingmistakes/

When you have a few candidates in mind for a position, in addition to the personality tests and strengths assessments I suggest be sure to check them out on Facebook too.

Check out their photo library, their updates and their recent postings.

What does it tell you about them?

Does their Facebook page affirm that you are moving in the right direction or give you pause?

Is there anything there that gives you a hint of an uneasy stomach? You get the picture…

While you are at it, Google them and do a Twitter search too.

With minimal effort, we have access to information that we could have only dreamed of a few years ago.

This bit of web detective work, while it takes a few minutes, may save you years of regret from hiring the wrong person.

Oh, and in the business world, this is now standard practice.

Remember, staffing success is 95% hiring well!

Nelson

P.S. If you have not yet signed up for the Staffing Webinar on the “Top 3 Staffing Mistakes,” you better hurry! Today is the last day and I only have a limited number of spaces left.

In this NEW 75-minute webinar we will walk through each of the three most common mistakes, what you can do this week to correct them, and how to ensure that you’re doing everything you can to cooperate with God to lead your staff and grow your church.

Today is the last day and there are only a limited number of spots available. It’s FREE to participate but you must RSVP at this link below:

http://www.churchleaderinsights.com/staffingmistakes/

Since we are looking at Staffing this week, I want to deal with one of the most asked questions about how to transition when someone resigns for “good” reasons. (like focusing on their family)

Staff changes can be one of the more challenging aspects of leading a growing church.

Here’s what I would recommend when dealing with a “good” resignation:

1) Get them to write a letter to their key volunteers explaining why they are leaving – have them write it to their volunteers but give it to you to share. This is a letter you can share with everyone involved in their specific area. For example, if they were in the  children’s area you would share with parents, volunteers, etc.

2) You also need to get a formal letter of resignation from them for your employment files – this can be short and sweet as you won’t be sharing it.

3) You really only need to share their transition with those impacted by the decision (parents, children’s volunteers, etc) – they will want to know why they are leaving so share their letter. They will also want to know what you plan to do to fill the position – so cast vision for the future. This could be an email or a letter.

4) As for the entire church, there’s no need to announce it in a big way – you could put a ‘staff note’ in the newsletter or e-newsletter announcing the transition with a brief quote from their letter to volunteers and a sentence or two of vision from you.

That’s a quick overview – hope it helps!

Nelson

P.S. If you have not yet signed up for the Staffing Webinar on the “Top 3 Staffing Mistakes,” you better hurry as I only have a limited number of spaces left for today and tomorrow’s webinars.

In this NEW 75-minute webinar we will walk through each of the three most common mistakes, what you can do this week to correct them, and how to ensure that you’re doing everything you can to cooperate with God to lead your staff and grow your church.

There are a limited number of spots available for each webinar. These webinars are today and tomorrow only. It’s FREE to participate but you must RSVP at this link below:

http://www.churchleaderinsights.com/staffingmistakes/

You want to hire the right people? Simply write your position descriptions to attract the right person and repel the wrong hire.

One vitally important item that I talk about with staffing is to be abundantly clear about who you want to hire for a position AND who you don’t want to hire.

This means that not only do you have to know who you’re looking for, but the ads and job listings you write must spell out your expectations so clearly that the wrong candidates won’t even bother applying.

As Jason Hatley (Pastor of Worship Arts at The Journey and Founder of Worship Leader Insights) was looking to recruit some new band members recently, he put this principle into practice with this statement:

This is not a “thrown together, disorganized, cheap gear, let’s wing it and see what happens” kind of gig. Attention to detail, personal preparation and a commitment to excellence are a must. Great venue, great gear, great Church!

My hope today is that this little snippet will help you visualize the concept of being clear who you want (and don’t want).

Think about it – if you’re not a serious musician who’s willing to put in the hard work to be a part of this team… you won’t apply!

And isn’t that the point of recruiting – to find the right person?

So here’s the principle:

Write your position descriptions or paid ads so you attract who you want and repel who you don’t want

Who are you looking for?  Now, how do you plan to find them?

Nelson

P.S. For even more information on church staffing – covering Recruiting, Hiring, Managing, and “De-hiring” – check out the Staffing Webinar that is taking place Six times over the next 3 days! 

It is a NEW 75-minute webinar. Together, we will walk through each of the three most common mistakes, what you can do this week to correct them, and how to ensure that you’re doing everything you can to cooperate with God to lead your staff and grow your church.

There are a limited number of spots available for each webinar. It’s FREE to participate but you must RSVP at this link below:

http://www.churchleaderinsights.com/staffingmistakes/

This week at Church Leader Insights is all about staffing!

Over and over I hear from you that this is a key pressure point in your church.

So, this week (Tues – Thurs) I’m offering a powerful FREE webinar called:

THE TOP 3 STAFFING MISTAKES
(And how to avoid them)

It’s free but you have to RSVP:

http://www.churchleaderinsights.com/staffingmistakes/

Hurry, we only have a limited # of spots for each day.

BTW, don’t confusing ‘staffing week’ with ‘shark week’ – ha!

But I can tell you this, if you don’t have a godly plan for hiring, managing and (when necessary) de-hiring staff, that’s a fate worse than Jaws!

See you online this week.

Nelson

P.S. Here’s more about the Webinar:

I’ve had hundreds (if not thousands) of pastors ask for more training and equipping on staffing over the years…

So here it is! A NEW 75-minute webinar. Together, we will walk through each of the three most common mistakes, what you can do this week to correct them, and how to ensure that you’re doing everything you can to cooperate with God to lead your staff and grow your church.

Since there are a limited number of spots available for each webinar, it’s FREE to participate but you must RSVP at this link below:

http://www.churchleaderinsights.com/staffingmistakes/

I’ll cover issues like hiring, managing and de-hiring and, of course, the Top 3 Staffing mistakes. But I’ll also cover your specific issues in as much detail as I can during our time together (you can let me know your specific issues when you register – how’s that for customization!).

And this webinar is FREE for you to experience from the comfort of your home or office (all you need is a computer with speakers or headphones and internet access – no phone line or long distance required).

You will learn:

• How to overcome your growth barrier and the role of your staff in breaking that barrier.
• Why staffing is one of the most difficult tests of leadership and what you can do about it.
• How to measure the commitment level of every staff member… every day.
• Why being on a church staff is the highest calling anyone can answer and how to manage your staff according to their calling
• Plus much more!

RSVP required – click here to Reserve Your Spot Now:

http://www.churchleaderinsights.com/staffingmistakes/

Don’t delay, we only have a limited # of spots for each day.

Isn’t it amazing how many people tip-toe cautiously through life hoping to make it safely to death?

– Carl E Hiebert – Aviator and motivational speaker

It has been exciting to hear feedback on how this series of Blog Posts on “Developing Extravagant Givers” is already helping many of you. Today’s topic has the ability to make a significant impact. Open your heart as you look at “How to Develop a Culture of Generosity” 

To begin, you must see that setting the stage for a successful stewardship system requires a culture of generosity in your church. Generosity is an often intangible force that trickles down from you to your people, and results in specific actions.

As your people see you being generous with resources to support them, make them more comfortable and give them the best opportunity to grow, they will begin to adopt that same spirit of generosity. Your people will act in the same vein and approach giving in the manner that the church demonstrates it.

How do we do this? By modeling the outward expression of a generous heart. And yes, we are called to give to our people – sacrificially, even. How will people ever see or understand God’s generosity? As the church, we simply need to model it.

God spares nothing for our sakes, as is evidenced by Jesus’ death on the cross (John 3:16; Phil. 2:8). And he also promises that he will provide for us abundantly (John 10:10). It’s surprising how many churches withhold good things from their people from a fear that they will run out of money!

I am often amazed by what churches attach a price tag to. I came across churches who would charge new believers for New Believer Bibles and churches who would charge $.50 for a cup of coffee before the service. What missed opportunities to till the soil of people’s hearts by ministering freely to them!

Approaching ministry with such a scarcity mentality robs the church of its chance to shine generosity. Instead, remember what Jesus teaches us in Luke 6:38, “Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full – pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.” As church leaders, let’s remember that this applies to the corporate ministry of the church.

The average unchurched Joe on the street sees the church as an institution that is always asking people to give. When Average Joe gets invited to your church, you have an opportunity to change that mentality. What if we could “wow” people with our unexpected generosity, all the while reflecting the depths of God’s generous heart?

What if your church could become known in your community as the church that gives rather than the church that takes? What a profound impact that would have on creating a culture of generosity within your church and a reputation of generosity beyond your doors.

Since our first days, we have made an intentional decision at The Journey to focus on exemplifying God’s provision through generosity. Living with an open hand has not always been easy; we’ve been stretched. But the rewards of generosity are well worth the effort and expense. We’ve grown, our people have grown, the church has grown, and the culture of generosity that has been established permeates every area of our ministry. Here are just a few examples of the ways we try to go over and above in modeling generosity:

- We give a free book to all of our first-time guests at the service

- We send a free Starbucks card to all of our first-time guests, through the mail

- We offer unlimited coffee and donuts at every service

- We send a free gift to everyone who gives for the first time

- We give a free book to everyone who signs up for a fall (campaign) growth group

- We give free movie tickets to people who bring first-time guests on special occasions

-  We give away free CDs that are relevant to the day’s teaching topic

- We put free resources and materials online

- We provide free breakfast and/or lunch for our Sunday volunteers

- We offer free seminary-level classes for all of our growth group leaders

- We put ads in widely-read newspapers

- We do frequent mailings to the community

- We reach out to hundreds of thousands of people annually through servant evangelism, which involves blanketing the community with free granola bars or bottles of water and postcard invitations to The Journey

Pastors often ask me, “How do you pay for all of that?” My answer is short and simple: The fruit is in the harvest. I can’t afford not to do it. If I refused to foster an atmosphere of generosity at The Journey, I would be cutting off God’s blessing and closing down people’s hearts. I would be lessening the likelihood that people would visit our church for the first time and then go on to become fully engaged followers of Christ.

I have a responsibility to give people the best possible opportunity to meet Jesus. Part of that process requires being generous with the resources God gives me to do his work. God is not a God of scarcity. If I am called to be more like his son and to be his representative on this earth, I certainly can’t be a leader of scarcity. Time and time again, God honors the generous seeds we scatter, and The Journey – not to mention the overall kingdom – reaps tremendous fruit.

I truly hope that this blog today has been helpful to expand your heart towards generosity and that it would open a great door of generosity in your church.

Keep your eye on this blog for a few more weeks for even more on proper biblical stewardship.

Also, if you are not yet signed up for my Stewardship Coaching Network, it only takes a few minutes. Click HERE to register. But you must hurry, this network will fill up.

Nelson

PS – Join other Pastors like yourself who are truly concerned with seeing their people discipled in the area of Stewardship by joining my upcoming 9-month Stewardship Coaching Network where I will walk you through the steps to systematically help your people advance in the area of giving.

I want to share with you today how I found the Power of the Sabbath.

It was four years after I had started The Journey Church. I was having my regular phone calls with one of my mentors in Atlanta.

I was complaining. Frustrated. Tired. My waistline was expanding and so was my to-do list.

(And although I didn’t have the guts to tell him, my marriage wasn’t in a great place either).

He called me a sinner! I was looking for something a bit more compassionate.

He went on to explain that he wasn’t just talking about me being an “ordinary sinner” (as if there is such) but a major one! He told me I needed to repent. Said I was violating the 10 Commandments.

I pushed back: “All the commandments I have kept since my youth.” (Sounded biblical, right?)

“You aren’t keeping the 4th Commandment. You are violating the Sabbath. Every problem you are having right now is because of this. I bet your marriage isn’t doing that great either!”

I use these words cautiously but THAT WAS THE DAY MY LIFE CHANGED. I started what has now been a seven-year journey in learning to keep the Sabbath. Since that conversation with my caring mentor, everything has changed for me.

BTW, here’s the 4th Commandment:

“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God . . .”

In learning to honor this commandment, by the grace of God, here’s some of the results I have experienced:

• My to-do list is still large and growing (I lead a large and growing ministry) BUT its not overwhelming me – I have a ‘handle’ on what God is calling me to do.
• I’ve learned to prioritize and focus on the things that matter most
• I can’t remember the last time I missed a day off or had to cancel ‘family time’ because I just ‘couldn’t get away.’
• My waistline has shrunk (yep – seems there’s a correlation between high stress, low rest and big pants!).
• My cholesterol and blood pressure are normal (even ‘low normal’)
• I’ve accomplished more over the last seven years than any other seven years in my life (Book #10 comes out this fall, Journey Church is growing with record numbers, etc.)

…And on and on I could go.

I should’ve listed this first, but my relationship with God is at a better place than it’s ever been (I’m still an ‘ordinary sinner’ saved by grace but there’s a weekly vitality that I missed my first 13 years in ministry).

Quite frankly, I HAVE LEARNED THE POWER OF THE SABBATH!

I’ve taught it to my staff and the results have been incredible.

I’ve taught it to my 1000+ coaching alumni around the world – the response: Wow! (Or more often, “Why didn’t someone teach this to me years ago!”)

Listen, I’m sure you’ve heard about the Sabbath, had devotional writers challenge you to keep it, felt the nudge of God when you read Exodus or the words of Jesus on the Sabbath. Maybe you’ve always felt like there was more too it for you . . . there is!

You see I’m a nuts and bolts guy. I want to know:

• What is the Sabbath for today (we live in NT times, not under the Mosaic law)
• How do I really keep the Sabbath (especially with cell phones, twitter, etc.)
• What do I do on my Sabbath (its always sounded a little boring)
• How can I possibly take the Sabbath when I can’t get it all done anyway (you see, when you understand the Sabbath, you’ll get more done in the six days you work)
• How does Sabbath differ from a ‘day off.’ (Almost every pastor I know takes a ‘day off’ but they are missing the power of the Sabbath).
• How does Sabbath give me a deeper connection to God?
• What can I do (or ‘not do’) on my Sabbath?

And I could keep going.

As a fellow pastor – talking to you as a fellow pastor – I want to be VERY BOLD:

- You will never be the Pastor God has called you to be until you understand the POWER OF THE SABBATH

Write me back and call me a sinner if you want (it won’t be the first time!) but its true. I cannot, in a single blog, tell you all that you are missing out on by missing out on the Sabbath (Jesus even said the Sabbath was ‘made for you!).

This may be the KEY ISSUE affecting the moral, spiritual and even physical health of pastors in the USA and around the world. When I see the rates of pastoral burnout, family trails, pastor divorce, etc., I just shake my head and wonder: Do they not know the power of the Sabbath?

Because of this, I can’t keep secret what I have learned! I must share it with you.

I have taken all that I have learned about the Sabbath personally, cataloged that with intense bible study on the subject and systematized it by presenting it over and over to my coaching alumni . . . and finally put it together in NEW resource for you:

THE POWER OF THE SABBATH
The Biblical Key to Lowering Stress, Increasing Productivity and Thriving Over the Long Haul
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

If you get this resource, listen to it asap and start practicing the biblical commandment of the Sabbath, I promise you that you’ll see results in days (not months or years…. days!).

I challenge you to get this resource, listen to it ASAP and take action,

Nelson

PS – Here’s what you will learn in this three-hour seminar, I’ll help you understand what the Bible says about honoring God with the Sabbath, and how you can experience the blessing and peace of mind that comes with your obedience.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

One of the most common question I get asked is for recommendations on books to improve in the area of communication through preaching and teaching.

Today I wanted to suggest some books that may be a little more obscure:

1. Everyone Communicate, Few Connect: What the Most Effective People Do Differently - John Maxwell

Available on Amazon

2. You’ve Got to Be Believed to Be Heard: The Complete Book of Speaking… in Business and Life - Burt Decker

Available on Amazon

3. Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Thrive and Others Die - Chip Heath and Dean Heath

Available on Amazon

4. The Seven Laws of the Learner: How to Teach Almost Anything to Practically Anyone. - Bruce Wilkinson

Available on Amazon

I hope you will find this list beneficial as you continue making a difference by helping your church to apply the Word of God to their lives.

Nelson

PS – My Renegade Pastors Network will help you grow personally and in your leadership. If you are the kind of pastor that is not satisfied with “average” you should take a minute to sign-up for the  Renegade Pastors Network today!

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION